fluvoxamine and amineptin

Fifteen women with bulimia nervosa were treated with a 4-month course of combined cognitive-behavioral, nutritional and antidepressant therapy (5 with amineptine and 10 with fluvoxamine). Patients were monitored before and after 1, 2 and 4 months of therapy for body mass index (BMI), for eating disorder symptoms by the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) and the Bulimic Investigation Test (BITE), and for depression and anxiety by the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and for Anxiety (HRS-D and -A). BITE symptoms and gravity improved significantly and equally in the two groups during the 4 months of therapy. Global EDI scores, depression and anxiety decreased but not significantly. BMI was normal before therapy and did not change during treatment.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; Behavior Therapy; Body Weight; Bulimia; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Combined Modality Therapy; Dibenzocycloheptenes; Female; Fluvoxamine; Humans; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Recurrence; Time Factors

Concentrations of cholecystokinin-8 (CCK-8) and beta-endorphin (beta-EP) in T-lymphocytes of 26 women with bulimia nervosa (BN) and in 26 age- and sex-matched healthy comparison subjects were measured. Ten patients were then treated with 300 mg/day of fluvoxamine, p.o., and five patients were treated with 300 mg/day of amineptine, p.o., for 4 months. Concentrations of the two peptides were measured again after 1, 2, and 4 months of therapy. Basal CCK-8 values were significantly lower in patients than in healthy subjects. During fluvoxamine therapy, CCK-8 values increased, reaching normal levels by month 4 of treatment. No such increase occurred during amineptine therapy. Baseline beta-EP values were normal in the bulimic patients but had declined by month 4 of fluvoxamine therapy.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; beta-Endorphin; Bulimia; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Combined Modality Therapy; Dibenzocycloheptenes; Female; Fluvoxamine; Humans; Middle Aged; Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; Sincalide; T-Lymphocytes; Treatment Outcome