Does Lexapro work for binge eating?
By
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira is a Pharmacist and Doctor of Philosophy in Sciences from the University of São Paulo (USP). She has experience in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Milena’s Highlights:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration in the areas of Pharmacometrics and Population Pharmacokinetics, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
“Science can be translated, and it is essential that everyone has access to quality information to make informed decisions” – Dr Milena Oliveira, PhD.
Professional Experience:
With a decade-long career as a researcher, Dr Milena has amassed extensive experience in conducting research projects in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics.
Her expertise also extends to the preparation of technical and scientific reports, literature reviews, data analysis, and scientific communication, both oral and written.
Dr Milena has served as a Clinical Pharmacist, providing expert supervision and guidance to teams during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the ICUs of two reference hospitals for patient hospitalization.
In her most recent role, Dr Milena worked on the implementation of the deliberatives of the São Paulo State Government Pharmaceutical Assistance Coordination. These decisions were aimed at ensuring medication access within the Unified Health System.
A widely multidisciplinary background enabled Dr Milena to become a professional capable of integrating scientific knowledge into private initiatives, education, and healthcare, delivering consistent services in patient safety and population health.
Professional Memberships & Affiliations:
Dr Milena Oliveira is a member of the Regional Council of Pharmacy of the State of São Paulo, Brazil.
Education:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
Relevant Published Work & Citations:
Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, Nardotto GHB, Pippa LF, Simões BP, Lanchote VL. Analysis of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in plasma and urine with application in the evaluation of total, renal and metabolic formation clearances in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. Nov 2020. 191:113-124.
Abstracts. CPT: Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology. 2020 Nov; 9 (S1).
Pippa LF, Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, de Andrade JM, Lanchote VL. Total, renal and hepatic clearances of doxorubicin and formation clearance of doxorubicinol in patients with breast cancer: Estimation of doxorubicin hepatic extraction ratio. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. 2020 Jun 5; 185:113-231.
Godoy ALPC, De Jesus C, De Oliveira ML, Rocha A, Pereira MPM, Larangeira DF, Lanchote VL, Barrouin-Melo SM. Determination of Allopurinol and Oxypurinol in Dogs Plasma by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with an Ultraviolet Detector: Application for Pharmacokinetic Studies. J Chromatogr Sep Tech. 2017; 8 (4).
Clímaco EC, Oliveira ML de, Pitondo-Silva A, Oliveira MG, Medeiros M, Lincopan N, et al. Clonal complexes 104, 109 and 113 playing a major role in the dissemination of OXA-carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii in Southeast Brazil. Infection, Genetics and Evolution. 2013 Oct;19:127–33.
Conference Papers:
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B.; PIPPA, L. F.; ROCHA, A.; SIMOES, B. P.; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Daunorubicin metabolism and urinary excretion in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 84th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology (DGPT) and the 20th Annual Meeting of the Association of the Clinical Pharmacology Germany (VKliPha), 2018, Göttingen. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Arch Pharmacol, 2018. v. 391. p. S76-S76.
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . The low contribution of urinary excretion in the elimination of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 49th Brazilian Congress of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics., 2017, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2017. p. 64-64.
Oliveira, M. L.; PIPPA, L. F. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Quantification of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in human plasma by LC-MS/MS. In: I International Meeting of Environmental Health and Toxicology (IMEHTOX), 2016, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2016.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. . PFGE typing of Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from different University Hospitals. In: V International Postgraduate and Research Symposium, 2012.
Clímaco, E.C. ; SILVA, A. P. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. Relação clonal entre linhagens de Acinetobacter baumannii produtoras de carbapenemases da família OXA em quatro hospitais no Brasil. In: XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012, Santos. XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Dissemintion of OXA carbapenemases genes in carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in University Hospital of Juiz de Fora, MG. In: 8th CIFARP – International Congress of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2011, Ribeirão Preto.
Clímaco, E.C. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Avaliação do sequenciamento parcial do gene rpoB e de seus flanqueadores para identificação de espécies de Acinetobacter na rotina laroratorial. In: 2° International Symposium on Clinical Microbiology, 2010, Florianópolis.
You can view some of Dr Milena’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dra-milena-locci-de-oliveira-28986042/?locale=en_US
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Milena-Oliveira-6
Escavador: https://www.escavador.com/sobre/5394254/milena-locci-de-oliveira
Lattes: https://buscatextual.cnpq.br/buscatextual/busca.do
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57199779361
Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=list_works&hl=pt-BR&user=1YUBDIQAAAAJ
Does Lexapro work for binge eating?
Lexapro may or may not work for binge eating and is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for this purpose. Some people can benefit from Lexapro and other SSRIs because of the connection between binge eating and depression.
Anxiety and depression are known to trigger unhealthy eating habits and this can be actively controlled by Lexapro (1). However, Lexapro can cause loss of appetite in some people and this could be a welcoming side effect for people with binge eating habits.
Make sure you consult your healthcare provider regarding the use of Lexapro for binge eating. There are plenty of other medications that can be used instead of Lexapro to control your unhealthy eating habits.
If you’re taking Lexapro for depression and anxiety, there’s no way to be certain whether or not it’ll help your binge eating episodes. This is why it’s best to rely on your mental healthcare professional for safe and effective treatment of binge eating disorder.
Treatment plans for BED often involve a combination of therapy and medication, and the choice of medication may vary depending on individual circumstances and preferences.
Alternative medications for the management and treatment of binge eating disorder
Commonly prescribed medications and therapies for binge eating disorder include:
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
SSRIs, such as fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline (Zoloft), are commonly used to treat binge eating disorders. They can help regulate mood and reduce binge eating episodes (2).
Vyvanse (Lisdexamfetamine)
Vyvanse, also known as Lisdexamfetamine, is a medication approved by the FDA for the treatment of binge eating disorder (BED). It belongs to a class of drugs called stimulants, which work by affecting certain chemicals in the brain (3).
In the treatment of BED, Vyvanse can help reduce the frequency of binge eating episodes and improve overall control over eating behaviours.
It does so by increasing the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, such as dopamine and norepinephrine, which are involved in regulating appetite and impulsivity.
Vyvanse is typically used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes therapy and lifestyle modifications. It is important to note that Vyvanse should be used under the supervision of a healthcare professional, as it can have side effects and may not be suitable for everyone.
Wellbutrin (Bupropion)
Wellbutrin is an atypical antidepressant that can help reduce binge eating episodes and improve symptoms. Wellbutrin works by affecting the levels of certain chemicals in the brain, such as dopamine and norepinephrine, which can help regulate appetite and reduce cravings. (4)
Topamax (Topiramate)
Although not FDA-approved for binge eating disorders, topiramate is sometimes prescribed off-label to help reduce binge eating episodes. It is an anticonvulsant medication that may also assist in weight loss. (5)
Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)
TCAs are a class of antidepressant medications that can be prescribed to help reduce binge eating episodes. These medications, such as imipramine or desipramine, affect the levels of certain chemicals in the brain, including serotonin and norepinephrine, which can help regulate appetite and improve mood.
TCAs may be particularly useful for individuals who also experience depression or anxiety alongside their binge eating disorder.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a type of therapy that helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviours associated with binge eating. It focuses on developing coping skills, improving self-esteem, and establishing healthier eating habits (6).
CBT can help individuals understand the underlying causes of their binge eating and develop strategies to manage triggers and cravings.
Final words
To sum up, Lexapro is not generally prescribed for the management of binge eating disorders, and there are a number of other FDA-approved medications available for this condition.
It’s in your best interest to consult with a healthcare provider, who will determine the best possible treatment strategy to manage your unusual hunger cravings in a safe and effective manner,
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References
1.-
Landy K, Rosani A, Estevez R. Escitalopram. 2022 Oct 24. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 32491666. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557734
2.-
Leombruni P, Pierò A, Lavagnino L, Brustolin A, Campisi S, Fassino S. A randomized, double-blind trial comparing sertraline and fluoxetine 6-month treatment in obese patients with Binge Eating Disorder. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2008 Aug 1;32(6):1599-605. doi: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2008.06.005. Epub 2008 Jun 14. PMID: 18598735. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18598735/
3.-
Heo YA, Duggan ST. Lisdexamfetamine: A Review in Binge Eating Disorder. CNS Drugs. 2017 Nov;31(11):1015-1022. doi: 10.1007/s40263-017-0477-1. PMID: 29134566. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29134566/
4.-
White MA, Grilo CM. Bupropion for overweight women with binge-eating disorder: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Clin Psychiatry. 2013 Apr;74(4):400-6. doi: 10.4088/JCP.12m08071. PMID: 23656848; PMCID: PMC4021866. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23656848/
5.-
McElroy SL, Arnold LM, Shapira NA, Keck PE Jr, Rosenthal NR, Karim MR, Kamin M, Hudson JI. Topiramate in the treatment of binge eating disorder associated with obesity: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Am J Psychiatry. 2003 Feb;160(2):255-61. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.160.2.255. Erratum in: Am J Psychiatry. 2003 Mar;160(3):612. PMID: 12562571. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12562571/
6.-
Agras WS. Cognitive Behavior Therapy for the Eating Disorders. Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2019 Jun;42(2):169-179. doi: 10.1016/j.psc.2019.01.001. Epub 2019 Apr 2. PMID: 31046920. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31046920/
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