This research study is designed to look at the effectiveness of bupropion for reducing binge eating in overweight persons with binge eating problems. Participants in the study will receive either bupropion or placebo ("sugar" pill, inactive medication) as an outpatient for eight weeks. In addition, participants will be given the option to receive 8 weeks of free behavioral weight loss treatment. This treatment, known to be effective for reducing binge eating and helping people lose weight, will be administered following the medication phase and at no cost.
It is expected that compared to placebo, bupropion will produce greater reductions in binge eating.
Primary Outcome Measures:
- Frequency of binge eating episodes [ Time Frame: 8 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
Secondary Outcome Measures:
- Body weight, food cravings, emotional eating [ Time Frame: 8 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
| Estimated Enrollment: |
42 |
| Study Start Date: |
December 2005 |
| Estimated Study Completion Date: |
December 2009 |
| Estimated Primary Completion Date: |
December 2009 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure) |
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1: Experimental
Bupropion
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Drug: bupropion
300 mg per day for 8 weeks
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2: Placebo Comparator
Placebo
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Other: Placebo
Placebo
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The proposed study is an 8-week randomized placebo-controlled trial to test the efficacy of bupropion in treating overweight women with binge eating disorder (BED). Bupropion is an antidepressant that has demonstrated efficacy in smoking cessation and some efficacy in obesity treatment. Since cravings and depressed mood are hypothesized to contribute to binge eating episodes, bupropion is a promising psychopharmacological agent in treating binge eating and reducing weight. It is hypothesized that compared to placebo, bupropion will produce significantly greater reductions in the frequency of binge eating. Secondary goals are to explore interrelationships between treatment and changes in cravings, frequency of binge episodes, emotional eating, and weight loss. Following the medication phase of the trial, all patients will be offered 8 weeks of behavioral weight loss treatment administered by doctoral-level psychologists specializing in eating disorders and weight management.
Purpose
