Effectiveness of Olanzapine Versus Placebo in Treating Outpatients With Anorexia Nervosa

New York State Psychiatric Institute

Status and phase

Completed

Phase 2

Conditions

Eating Disorders

Treatments

Drug: Placebo

Drug: Olanzapine

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

NIH

Identifiers

NCT00692185

DSIR A2-AID

1R21MH069868-01 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

#5116 (MH069868-02)

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study will evaluate the effectiveness of the antipsychotic medication olanzapine in treating outpatients with anorexia nervosa.

Full description

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a disease of disordered eating and is characterized by self-starvation, extreme weight loss, and difficulty maintaining a normal weight. Symptoms and behaviors of AN may include distorted body image, obsessive exercise, lack of menstruation among women, binge and purge eating behaviors, and intense fear of weight gain. Furthermore, people with AN are at a high risk of other mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety, and medical complications, such as organ damage, heart failure, and osteoporosis. Current treatments for AN include nutrition counseling, psychotherapy, and medication. Although weight restoration is a treatment priority, no particular therapeutic approach for patients with AN has clear empirical support. Previous studies have suggested that certain medications usually used to treat schizophrenia, also known as atypical antipsychotic drugs, may be helpful in increasing appetite and reducing anxiety related to weight gain and eating in people with AN. Specifically, the atypical antipsychotic medication olanzapine may be effective in improving overall symptoms of AN and in restoring weight to normal levels. This study will compare the effectiveness of the antipsychotic medication olanzapine versus placebo in treating outpatients with AN.

Participation in this study will last 8 weeks. All participants will first undergo baseline assessments that will include questionnaires and interviews about AN symptoms, a physical exam, vital sign measurements, an electrocardiograph (EKG), and a blood draw. Participants will then be assigned randomly to 8 weeks of daily treatment with olanzapine or placebo. Participants will meet with a study doctor weekly over the 8 weeks of treatment. During these visits, the study doctor will monitor participants' progress, medication dosage, vital signs, and side effects. Participants will also fill out weekly questionnaires about the status of their condition and monthly repeat baseline questionnaires. In addition, participants will undergo blood draws every 2 weeks for the first month of the study and every 4 weeks for the remainder of the study. Upon completing the 8 weeks of treatment, participants will repeat the baseline assessments. During the next 5 years, participants may be contacted to complete a follow-up interview.

Enrollment

23 patients

Sex

All

Ages

16+ years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Meets DSM-IV criteria (not including amenorrhea) for AN
Body mass index (BMI) less than 19 kg/m2 and greater than 14 kg/m2
Patient (or family if the patient is a minor) refuses hospitalization
Free of psychotropic medication (4 weeks medication free for fluoxetine and antipsychotic medication; 2 weeks medication free for all others) OR on a stable dose of an SSRI or SNRI (venlafaxine) for 4 weeks before study entry
Prior treatment of AN

Exclusion criteria

Any medical or psychiatric problem requiring urgent attention and/or any significant comorbid illness not likely to benefit from proposed treatments
Allergy to olanzapine
Significant orthostatic high blood pressure
Recent commencement of psychotherapy in the community
Diabetes mellitus, with a fasting serum glucose greater than 120 mg/dL or nonfasting serum glucose greater than 140 mg/dL
Known history of current or past jaundice
Known history of narrow angle glaucoma
Active substance abuse or dependence
Schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder, or bipolar illness
Movement disorder or presence of tics
History of tardive dyskinesia
History of seizures
Pregnant