Suppression of bulimic symptoms with methylamphetamine.

Eight patients with bulimia nervosa were given methylamphetamine or placebo intravenously under double blind controlled conditions. In every patient, methylamphetamine reduced self-ratings of hunger and amount of food eaten as measured under laboratory conditions. This shows that the food intake of patients with bulimia nervosa can be modified by experimental drugs. The symptom of bulimia (rapid, excessive and distressing eating) which may be followed by self-induced vomiting or purgation was seen in four patients after receiving placebo but in none after receiving methylamphetamine. These findings suggest that the severe symptom of bulimia may be amenable to drug treatment. Further studies are needed to explore the mechanism by which methylamphetamine appears to prevent bulimia.