A Study of the Effectiveness and Safety of Topiramate in the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Binge-Eating Disorder Associated With Obesity

Condition(s) targeted: Binge-Eating Disorder; Obesity

Intervention: topiramate (Drug)

Phase: Phase 2/Phase 3

Status: No longer recruiting

Sponsored by: Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, L.L.C.

Official(s) and/or principal investigator(s):
Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research and Development, L.L.C. Clinical Trial, Study Director, Affiliation: Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, L.L.C.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of topiramate compared to placebo in reducing the number of binge days in patients with moderate to severe binge-eating disorder associated with obesity.

Official title: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Flexible-Dose Study to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of Topiramate in the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Binge-Eating Disorder Associated With Obesity

Study design: Interventional, Treatment, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo Control, Parallel Assignment, Safety/Efficacy Study

Primary outcome: The rate of change in the number of binge days per week from baseline at 16 weeks or final visit.

Secondary outcome:

Change in:weekly binge episodes

Clinical Global Impression Severity & Improvement; Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale modified for BE; Barratt Impulsiveness Scale; Body Mass Index; Sheehan Disability Scale compared to baseline at 16 wks or final visit

Detailed description: Binge-Eating Disorder (BED) is characterized by recurrent binge eating without extreme behaviors to lose weight (e. g., self-induced vomiting, misue of laxatives) resulting in marked distress, feelings of loss of control, and association with overweight or obesity. Treatment goals for binge-eating therapies include reducing the urge to binge, weight loss, and management of co-existing medical and psychologial conditions. Currently, there are no approved medication treatments available for BED, however, studies have shown that treatment for BED (psychotherapy or the use of medications) may be effective at reducing the number of binges, while effects on weight have been variable. Topiramate has been approved for epilepsy in adults and children aged 2 years and above, and for the prevention of migraine in adults. This is a randomized, double-blind, flexible dose, parallel group study to determine if topiramate, a prescription medication approved by the Food & Drug Administration for the treatment of epilepsy and the prevention of migraine, administered at a dose of 400 mg per day or the subject's maximum tolerated dose, is safe and effective compared with placebo in patients with moderate to severe binge-eating disorder associated with obesity. Subjects will have an equal chance of receiving topiramate or placebo. The study hypothesis is that topiramate will be more effective than placebo in reducing the number of binge days per week in patients with moderate to severe binge-eating disorder associated with obesity and is generally well tolerated. Patients completing the 16-week double-blind phase of the trial are eligible to participate in the 12-week open-label phase of the study.

Topiramate tablets (25 and/or 100 mg) or placebo in increasing doses starting at 25 mg/day up to 400 mg/ day (or MTD) during first 8 wks, achieved dose maintained for additional 8 wks. If entering OL reduce DB medication while increasing dose of active topiramate to 400mg/day or MTD for addn 12 wks.

Minimum age: 18 Years. Maximum age: 65 Years. Gender(s): Both.

Criteria:

Inclusion Criteria:

- Diagnosis of binge-eating disorder

- 3 or more binge days per week in the 2 weeks prior to baseline

- Obese (body mass index >=30 and <=50 kilograms per square meter)

- Uncomplicated/controlled Type II diabetes or hypertension are acceptable

- In generally good health

- If female capable of having children, using acceptable method of birth control

Exclusion Criteria:

- No current or past history of schizophrenia, other psychotic disorder, or bipolar disorder

- Significant depression that requires treeatment with medication or therapy

- At risk to self or others

- No current or recent (within 3 months) diagnosis of abusing drugs or alcohol

- Initiation of formal psychiatric therapy in past 6 months for binge-eating disorder or any other psychiatric disorder

- Pregnant or breast-feeding

- No clinically significant medical condition

Related publications:

McElroy SL, Hudson JI, Capece JA, Beyers K, Fisher AC, Rosenthal NR; for the Topiramate Binge Eating Disorder Research Group. Topiramate for the Treatment of Binge Eating Disorder Associated With Obesity: A Placebo-Controlled Study. Biol Psychiatry. 2007 Jan 26; [Epub ahead of print]

Starting date: September 2003
Ending date: March 2005
Last updated: April 6, 2007