Imipramine in the treatment of bulimia: A double-blind controlled study

Abstract

There were 22 bulimic women who participated in a double-blind placebo-controlled study of the effects' of imipramine hydrochloride in the treatment of bulimia over a 16 week period. Particpants receiving the active drug demonstrated a significantly greater reduction in purging (frequency of self-induced vomiting plus the use of laxatives) at both the 6 and 16 week assessment periods. Depression was reduced to a significantly greater extent in those receiving the active drug at 6 weeks but not at the 16 week assessment. These findings, from the longest duration medication study in this condition, suggest that imipramine is an effective treatment for bulimia. However, only one-third of the participants receiving imipramine had stopped purging by the end of the study. Thus, clinicians may need to add other approaches, such as cognitive-behavioral treatment, to the management of this condition.