Lisdexamfetamine, a drug approved for the treatment of attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder, may be used to help treat people with binge-eating disorder according to a new study in JAMA Psychiatry.
In the study, researchers found that people binge ate less when they were taking the medication—particularly at higher doses—during the 11 week trial. Although weight loss wasn’t an outcome being studied for the trial, researchers also noted that patients on the higher doses did lose weight.
Sherry Pagoto, PhD, associate professor of medicine and an expert in cognitive behavioral therapy and weight loss, said the study warrants further investigation.
“I think it would be interesting to look at this medication in combination with cognitive behavioral therapies that have been helpful for binge eating disorders. A combination of medication and therapy could improve outcomes.”
Listen to Dr. Pagoto explain how this medication may be used clinically to help treat patients with binge-eating disorder. Pagoto was not involved in the study.
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