Effects of sibutramine on binge eating, hunger, and fullness in a laboratory human feeding paradigm.

Author(s): Mitchell JE, Gosnell BA, Roerig JL, de Zwaan M, Wonderlich SA, Crosby RD, Burgard MA, Wambach BN

Affiliation(s): The Neuropsychiatric Research Institute and the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Fargo, North Dakota, USA. mitchell@medicine.nodak.edu

Publication date & source: 2003-05, Obes Res., 11(5):599-602.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of sibutramine vs. placebo on binge-eating behavior, hunger, and satiety in patients who had problems with binge eating. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Seven adult subjects who had problems with binge eating (mean age, 42 years) were randomly assigned to receive alternating sibutramine and placebo in a double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study. This involved two 4-week dosing periods separated by a 2-week washout. RESULTS: Subjects lost weight on sibutramine but not on placebo. There was a significant difference in the number of kilocalories consumed between the sibutramine and placebo conditions, with a significant reduction of intake during binge-eating episodes on sibutramine. DISCUSSION: Sibutramine suppresses intake during binge-eating episodes. This effect is demonstrable in a human feeding laboratory paradigm.