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A placebo‐controlled pilot study of the novel opioid receptor antagonist ALKS‐33 in binge eating disorder
Author(s) -
McElroy Susan L.,
Guerdjikova Anna I.,
Blom Thomas J.,
Crow Scott J.,
Memisoglu Asli,
Silverman Bernard L.,
Ehrich Elliot W.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
international journal of eating disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.785
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1098-108X
pISSN - 0276-3478
DOI - 10.1002/eat.22114
Subject(s) - binge eating , placebo , psychology , bulimia nervosa , binge eating disorder , eating disorders , psychiatry , medicine , alternative medicine , pathology
Objective: To assess preliminarily the effectiveness of a novel opioid antagonist, ALKS‐33, in binge eating disorder (BED). Method: In this randomized, placebo‐controlled, flexible dose, proof‐of‐concept trial, 62 outpatients with BED and obesity received ALKS‐33 ( N = 26) or placebo ( N = 36) for 6 weeks. Outcome measures of binge eating, body weight, and eating pathology were assessed. Results: A large decrease in binge eating episode frequency was observed following both ALKS‐33 and placebo treatment. There was no significant difference between treatment groups in binge eating episode frequency or any other measure of binge eating, body weight, or eating pathology. Discussion: In this preliminary proof‐of‐concept study in BED, ALKS‐33 did not separate from placebo. Although a failed trial cannot be excluded, the finding is consistent with earlier observations in bulimia nervosa with other opioid antagonists and suggests ALKS‐33, at least when administered daily for 6 weeks, may not be efficacious for BED. © 2013 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2013)