Baclofen reduces binge eating in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover
study.
Author(s): Corwin RL, Boan J, Peters KF, Ulbrecht JS.
Affiliation(s): Department of Nutritional Sciences, College of Health and Human Development, The
Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16801, USA.
rxc13@psu.edu
Publication date & source: 2012, Behav Pharmacol. , 23(5-6):616-25
Baclofen has shown promise in treating substance use disorders and also reduced
binge frequency in an open-label trial. This placebo-controlled, double-blind,
crossover study further assessed the effects of baclofen on binge eating. Twelve
individuals who self-reported binge eating completed the study. Data were
collected during a run-in period (no drug or placebo), placebo phase (48 days),
and baclofen phase (titrated up to 60 mg daily or the maximum tolerated dose, 48
days). All the participants were exposed to all conditions. Participants
completed a binge diary daily, and the Binge Eating Scale (BES), Food Craving
Inventory-II (FCI-II), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) at
regular intervals throughout the study. Baclofen significantly reduced binge
frequency relative to placebo and run-in (P<0.05). This confirms results from the
previous open-label trial. Baclofen also produced slight, but significant,
increases in depression symptomatology as assessed by the HADS. Binge severity
(BES scores) and craving (FCI-II scores) were significantly reduced during
placebo and baclofen phases, that is both measures exhibited significant placebo
effects. Tiredness, fatigue, and upset stomach were the most commonly reported
side-effects. These results indicate that baclofen may be a useful treatment for
binge eating in some patients.
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