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Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

NCT number NCT00304187
Other study ID # #4902
Secondary ID R01MH042206-05DA
Status Completed
Phase Phase 2
First received
Last updated
Start date September 2004
Est. completion date November 2011

Study information

Verified date June 2018
Source New York State Psychiatric Institute
Contact n/a
Is FDA regulated No
Health authority
Study type Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

This study will determine the effectiveness of the antibiotic erythromycin in enhancing gastrointestinal function and decreasing the frequency of binge eating in people with bulimia nervosa.


Description:

Bulimia nervosa (BN) is a serious eating disorder that is characterized by frequent uncontrolled eating binges. These binges are often followed by compensatory behavior, including the following: self-induced vomiting; misuse of laxatives, diuretics, enemas, or other medications to induce purging; fasting; or excessive exercise. If left untreated, BN can lead to many serious health issues: tooth decay; irregular menstruation; bowel damage; constipation; heart and kidney disease; intestinal damage; puffiness, especially in the face and fingers; increased hair growth on the face and body; and mineral imbalances in the body. Although there is significant existing knowledge about the characteristics and treatment of BN, more information is needed about gastrointestinal (GI) function and its effect on binge eating behavior. This study will determine the effectiveness of the antibiotic erythromycin in enhancing GI function and decreasing the frequency of binge eating in people with BN.

Participants in this 8-week, double-blind study will first undergo gastric emptying and GI hormone release testing for 1 day. Within 1 week of completing these pre-treatment tests, participants will be randomly assigned to receive either erythromycin or placebo for 6 weeks. Upon medication assignment, participants will meet with a psychiatrist to receive their assigned medication. Participants will receive medication at weekly study visits. Medication dosage will be increased if symptoms do not improve, or decreased if adverse medication side effects are reported. A final day of gastric emptying and GI hormone release testing, as well as routine blood tests, will take place in Week 7, after 6 weeks of medication treatment. Participants' weight will be measured at Weeks 1, 4, and 7. Participants will also receive an EKG 1 week after each upward dosage adjustment. Patients will be informed of their medication assignment at the Week 7 study visit, and will be referred to a non-study clinician for further treatment.

For information on related studies, please see NCT00308776 and NCT00307190.


Recruitment information / eligibility

Status Completed
Enrollment 29
Est. completion date November 2011
Est. primary completion date November 2011
Accepts healthy volunteers Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Gender Female
Age group 18 Years to 55 Years
Eligibility Inclusion Criteria:

- Meets criteria for bulimia nervosa

- Duration of illness is greater than 1 year

- Self-induces vomiting

- Weighs 80%-120 % of ideal weight

Exclusion Criteria:

- Significant medical illness

- Current or lifetime history of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or other psychotic disorder, as defined by American Psychiatric Association criteria

- Moderate to severe depression, as defined by a score greater than 18 on the Hamilton Depression Scales

- Current diagnosis of organic mental disorder, factitious disorder, or malingering

- History of a personality disorder (e.g., schizotypal, borderline, or antisocial) that might interfere with assessment or compliance with the study procedures

- At risk for suicide

- Current psychotropic medications and current medications that affect GI function or that inhibit or induce cytochrome three A gene expression

- Currently pregnant, lactating, or planning to become pregnant

- Drug or alcohol abuse within the 3 months prior to study entry

- Abnormal EKG at baseline or 1 week following each upward dosage adjustment

- Anemia

- Known intolerance to erythromycin, or related antibiotics

- Abnormal results on liver function tests

- Electrolyte abnormalities

Study Design


Intervention

Drug:
Erythromycin
Erythromycin, 250 mg or 500 mg, three times a day for 6 weeks
Placebo
Placebo, 250 mg or 500 mg, three times a day for 6 weeks

Locations

Country Name City State
United States Eating Disorders Clinic, New York State Psychiatric Institute New York New York

Sponsors (2)

Lead Sponsor Collaborator
New York State Psychiatric Institute National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Country where clinical trial is conducted

United States, 

Outcome

Type Measure Description Time frame Safety issue
Primary Binge Frequency Binge frequency was assessed by patient diary. All patients were asked to keep a diary of the number of daily binge eating and vomiting episodes which was collected at each weekly visit. Measured at Week 7
Primary Percent of Meal Remaining/Minute percent of meal remaining/minute Measured at Week 7
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