Establishing guidelines for pharmacotherapy trials in bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa

Objective: This paper addresses the lack of a standard protocol for pharmacotherapy trials for patients with bulimia nervosa (BN) and anorexia nervosa (AN). Method: Twenty-two surveys were sent to established researchers in the field of eating disorders to elicit their opinions regarding medication trials, including baseline laboratory tests, the optimal length/frequency of medication management sessions, and the information that should or should not be included in these sessions. Results: Sixteen of 22 researchers completed and returned the survey. Their answers are the basis of the data presented. Discussion: We propose a battery of screening laboratory tests for both conditions. We suggest 30-45-min initial medication management sessions in both AN and BN trials with 15-min follow-ups to be held weekly for AN subjects, and weekly for 2 weeks, then biweekly for 2 weeks, then monthly, for BN subjects. We also recommend that published trials should include explicit details of medication management. (C) 2000 by John Wiley and Sons, Inc.