Effects of Sibutramine on Binge Eating,Hunger, and Fullness in a Laboratory Human Feeding Paradigm

Objective : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of sibutramine vs. placebo on binge‐eating behavior, hunger, and satiety in patients who had problems with binge eating. Research Methods and Procedures : Seven adult subjects who had problems with binge eating (mean age, 42 years) were randomly assigned to receive alternating sibutramine and placebo in a double‐blind placebo‐controlled crossover study. This involved two 4‐week dosing periods separated by a 2‐week washout. Results : Subjects lost weight on sibutramine but not on placebo. There was a significant difference in the number of kilocalories consumed between the sibutramine and placebo conditions, with a significant reduction of intake during binge‐eating episodes on sibutramine. Discussion : Sibutramine suppresses intake during binge‐eating episodes. This effect is demonstrable in a human feeding laboratory paradigm.