Role of fluoxetine in anorexia nervosa

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of fluoxetine in the treatment of anorexia nervosa. DATA SOURCES: Literature obtained through searching MEDLINE (1966-January 2003). DATA SYNTHESIS: Studies conducted on the efficacy of fluoxetine in treating anorexia nervosa have conflicting results. Study design and methodology should be carefully evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: Fluoxetine played a role in the reduction of symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression in anorexic patients. While psychotherapy, nutritional therapy, and behavioral therapy should be the mainstays of treatment, fluoxetine should be considered as an option to prevent relapse or to treat associated symptoms of anorexia nervosa following adequate weight restoration as a part of maintenance therapy and not as a primary or acute therapy. Although fluoxetine appears to be promising for the treatment of patients with anorexia nervosa, further studies need to be performed with a larger sample size and/or better design.