Anticonvulsant Shows Promise in Treatment of BED

Binge-eating disorder (BED) is marked by uncontrollable and recurring episodes of overeating. Topiramate (Topamax‚), first introduced in 1997, is an antiepileptic agent that has produced weight loss in patients with epilepsy. At the recent Eating Disorders Research Society Meeting in Albuquerque, James I. Hudson, MD, SM, and colleagues reported that, compared with placebo, topiramate led to a significant reduction in frequency of binge eating. Fifty-three females and 8 males with BED and obesity participated in the 14-week randomized double-blind trial (58 received at least one dose of topiramate or placebo). Significant reductions were also reported in binge days, body mass index, and in the Clinical Global Impression Severity Scale among those who received the drug. Mean baseline weekly binge frequencies were 6.3 for the placebo group and 5.3 for the treatment group. Nine patients (3 in the placebo group; 6 in the topiramate group) dropped out; the most common reasons for discontinuing topiramate were headache and paresthesias. In other studies, a small number of patients on topiramate have developed secondary angle closure glaucoma.