Psychiatric medication use by Canadian adults prior to entering an outpatient eating disorders program: Types and combinations of medications, predictors of being on a medication, and clinical considerations.

This study examined the proportion of Canadian adults who were on psychiatric medication prior to entering specialized outpatient care for an eating disorder, the types and combinations of medications taken, and predictors of being on a medication. A retrospective chart review of 223 adults with an eating disorder was conducted. A large proportion of the adults (61%) had been prescribed a psychiatric medication prior to entering specialized outpatient care. Of these adults, 74.6% were prescribed one medication and 24.3% were on a combination of two or more. Antidepressant and anti-anxiety medications were the most commonly prescribed (78%), while stimulant medications (2.1%), benzodiazepines (13.7%), and antipsychotics (10.7%) were also reported. Being at a higher weight status was a significant predictor of being on a psychiatric medication at intake assessment. Adults with comorbid depression were 2.68 times more likely to be on a psychiatric medication. Although the number of Canadian adults on psychiatric medication may well exceed the documented efficacy of these medications for eating disorders, psychopharmacological intervention could have been aimed at targeting comorbid conditions. Clinicians specializing in pharmacology and eating disorders may have an important role to provide psychoeducation to all providers.