http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/abstract/165/10/1281
Olanzapine in
the Treatment of Low Body Weight and Obsessive
Thinking in Women With Anorexia Nervosa: A Randomized, Double-Blind,
Placebo-Controlled Trial
Hany Bissada, M.D., Giorgio A. Tasca, Ph.D., Ann Marie
Barber, M.A., and
Jacques Bradwejn, M.D.
OBJECTIVE: Anorexia nervosa is associated with high mortality,
morbidity, and treatment costs. Olanzapine, an atypical antipsychotic,
is known to result in weight gain in other patient populations. The
objective of this trial was to assess the efficacy of olanzapine in
promoting weight gain and in reducing obsessive symptoms among adult
women with anorexia nervosa. METHOD: The study was a double-blind,
placebo-controlled, 10-week flexible dose trial in which patients with
anorexia nervosa (N=34) were randomly assigned to either olanzapine plus
day hospital treatment or placebo plus day hospital treatment. RESULTS:
Compared with placebo, olanzapine resulted in a greater rate of increase
in weight, earlier achievement of target body mass index, and a greater
rate of decrease in obsessive symptoms. No differences in adverse
effects were observed between the two treatment conditions. CONCLUSIONS:
These preliminary results suggest that olanzapine may be safely used in
achieving more rapid weight gain and improvement in obsessive symptoms
among women with anorexia nervosa. Replication, in the form of a large
multicenter trial, is recommended.
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