The medicines below are used to treat eating disorders. Only the most basic problems are listed. Ask your doctor if there are any other steps you need to take. Use each of them as your doctor tells you. If you have any questions or can’t follow the package instructions, call your doctor.
These medicines don't offer a cure. They may help control certain problems caused by the disorders. This includes the psychiatric and other health conditions. These don't work for all people.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Atypical antipsychotic medicines
SSRIs help balance certain brain chemicals. They treat mental health problems such as anxiety or depression. In some cases, they may help control other actions linked to some eating disorders.
You may have problems with:
Like SSRIs, these treat mood and anxiety disorders. But, they may not be the first choice for all people.
You may have problems with:
This may be used if SSRIs didn't work as expected. But, it’s not used in those who have bulimia.
You may have problems with:
If you are taking medicines, follow these general guidelines:
About eating disorders. National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders website. Available at:
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Accessed September 6, 2018.
Anorexia nervosa. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T114614/Anorexia-nervosa . Updated June 15, 2017. Accessed September 6, 2018.
Binge eating disorder. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T563461/Binge-eating-disorder . Updated June 15, 2017. Accessed September 6, 2018.
Bulimia nervosa. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T114924/Bulimia-nervosa . Updated July 16, 2018. Accessed September 6, 2018.
Eating disorders: About more than food. National Institute of Mental Health website. Available at: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/eating-disorders/index.shtml. Updated 2018. Accessed September 6, 2018.
Suicidality in children and adolescents being treated with antidepressant medications. US Food & Drug Administration website. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/ucm161679.htm. Updated February 5, 2018. Accessed September 6, 2018.
Last reviewed May 2018 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Adrian Preda, MD