Does Pristiq Help With Binge Eating? (+3 treatments)

In this article, we will discuss whether Pristiq helps with binge eating. We will also share the possible mechanism through which Pristiq can help binge eating, other treatments for binge eating disorder and some other relevant information.

Does Pristiq help with binge eating?

Pristiq may help with the symptoms of binge eating disorder (BED) in some individuals. However, Pristiq is not an FDA-approved drug for BED. It is an antidepressant and FDA-approved to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) (1). 

Pristiq is the brand name for desvenlafaxine which is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). It may help with BED because of its effects on appetite. Reduced appetite is a commonly reported symptom of Pristiq (1). 

Thus, Pristiq is not used primarily to treat BED. However, in depressed individuals, it can help with eating behaviour due to appetite suppression. The efficacy of Pristiq in treating BED is not established in the literature. 

What are the symptoms of binge eating disorder (BED)? 

BED is a condition in which an individual consumes unusually large quantities of food within a short period accompanied by a feeling of loss of control during the episode. The binge episode occurs weekly over three months (2). 

This condition is different from bulimia because the individual does not engage in purging or other compensatory behaviors after the episode. This condition is often associated with psychological issues like depression (2). 

Depression and anxiety can trigger binge eating in some individuals. Improvement of depression by Pristiq can also help to improve binge eating in individuals. Also, the reduced appetite as a side effect can help with this condition. 

How does Pristiq help with binge eating? 

Pristiq works by increasing the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine (NE) in the brain. Serotonin improves mood and helps with anxiety and depression. Improvement in mood can help with eating habits associated with depression. 

Additionally, serotonin plays different roles in the peripheral tissues. It regulates nutrient intake, absorption, insulin production, and energy expenditure. Serotonin is also known to suppress appetite in individuals (3). 

Serotonin’s role in appetite suppression and reducing nutrient intake is well-established (3). Due to this effect, decreased appetite is a commonly reported side effect of Pristiq. Thus, Pristiq can help with BED through appetite suppression. 

What does research suggest?

The role of Pristiq in helping with BED is not been established in the literature. Different antidepressants like Lexapro and Paxil can help with BED due to their effects on serotonin. Due to the increase in serotonin, it can be assumed that Pristiq may help with BED. 

Studies have explored the effects of different antidepressants in treating BED. Drugs like duloxetine belonging to the same class of drugs as Pristiq have shown effectiveness in managing BED. These studies have also discussed that Pristiq is a promising agent for managing BED (4). 

Desvenlafaxine, the generic of Pristiq is an active metabolite of venlafaxine. Venlafaxine has been studied in the treatment of BED in obese patients. The results demonstrate that venlafaxine can be used to manage BED associated with obesity (5). 

Although no research has been done to study the efficacy of Pristiq in treating BED, studies on other drugs show that Pristiq can be a promising agent to manage BED due to similarities in the mechanism of action. However, it is not yet used specifically to treat BED. 

How is BED managed? 

Pristiq is not a drug of choice for treating BED. Other medications and psychotherapy are used to treat BED in individuals. They are as follows (2): 

Psychotherapy: 

The first approach to treat BED in individuals is psychotherapy. It is more effective than medications. Different psychotherapeutic approaches can be used to manage BED. Some of them are as follows (2):

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT has shown effectiveness in treating BED in several clinical trials. It allows the individual to address dysfunctional thought patterns and helps them to regulate their eating behaviour, track their eating behaviors and learn self-control techniques. 

Interpersonal psychotherapy: It can be provided either alone or along with CBT. This approach addresses the interpersonal issues of an individual that are triggering the binge eating behavior. It helps the individual to make constructive changes in the identified problematic region. 

Medications: 

Medications can be the primary treatment of BED for those individuals who do not have access to psychotherapy or have refused to take help from it. The FDA-approved drug for treating BED in adults is lisdexamfetamine. Other medications which help with BED include (2): 

• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like sertraline, fluoxetine, and escitalopram. 
• antiepileptic drugs like zonisamide and topiramate
• ADHD medications like atomoxetine

Weight loss treatment: 

Individuals with BED often seek treatment due to their increased weight or obesity which results from excessive calorie consumption. Weight loss is one of the goals of the treatment of BED (2). 

Individuals who are overweight are recommended a low-calorie diet and exercise to manage their weight. Behavioral weight loss therapy is designed to help individuals with their weight loss which indirectly addresses binge eating behaviors as well (2).  

What are some common side effects of Pristiq other than suppressed appetite? 

Pristiq, along with reducing appetite, can also result in some other side effects. These side effects are mild to moderate based on the dose and the drug is usually safe and well tolerated. Other side effects of Pristiq include (1): 

• headache
• nausea
• abdominal pain
• dizziness
• sweating 

In my perspective, Pristiq may help with binge eating however it is not FDA approved for treating BED. Pristiq suppresses appetite as a side effect which may help with binge eating. Moreover it improves depression which is associated with BED. Pristiq increases serotonin and the effect of serotonin in reducing appetite and nutirition intake is well established. Studies have not yet explored the impact of Pristiq in treating BED. BED is best managed by psychotherapy, however drugs like lisdexamfetamine and SSRIs can also be useful in treating BED. 

References