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Medication for binge eating disorder

Insufficient evidence – there either hasn’t been any research on this treatment option or there is a small amount of evidence with unclear conclusions.

You should not be offered medication as your only treatment for binge eating disorder.

There is some evidence for adults that medication can help with binge eating disorder. These medications include a type of antidepressant called a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), and an ADHD medication called lisdexamfetamine. Research has suggested that these might be helpful in reducing binge eating in the short term, but the long-term effects are unclear.

These medications are not often used to treat binge eating disorder in children and young people and medication is not recommended as a treatment by NICE.

If you take medication for other mental or physical health conditions then your professional should keep track of your dose. Eating disorders can affect how your body absorbs and reacts to medications, which can lead to a greater risk of negative side effects.

Treatments outlined on these webpages may not be available in every local area. It’s important that you discuss with your GP or mental health professional the treatment options available to you. You can also search for services near you on our Youth Wellbeing Directory and find out more about referral processes here.

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