Psychotropic Drugs for Anorexia Nervosa

Side effects were greater among younger patients.

Recently three researchers at the University of Udine, in Udine, Italy, reviewed the literature to evaluate the effects of using antidepressants and antipsychotics for adolescent patients and a mixed-age group of patients with anorexia nervosa (Eur Eat Disord Rev. 2013; June 4 [Epub ahead of print]). The goal was to compare the efficacy and tolerability of psychotropic drugs among these two age groups.

The team found no strong evidence of any general overall beneficial effects from the use of antidepressants and antipsychotic in adults or adolescents. Side effects were more commonly reported in studies of adolescents. Most studies of psychotropic drugs focused on olanzapine. The authors concluded that despite the overall findings of little benefit from psychotropic drugs, olanzapine has some positive effects on body mass index, eating disorder symptoms, and functional impairment for both teens and older patients.