Naltrexone Reduces Binge Eating and Purging in Adolescents in an Eating Disorder Program.

Little evidence exists for pharmacologic treatment of binge eating and purging in adolescents with eating disorders. Given the role of the opioid reward system in compulsive binge eating and purging, naltrexone, an opioid antagonist, may be effective in reducing these behaviors. Previous studies have demonstrated that naltrexone reduces binge eating and purging in adults, yet evidence for its use in adolescents is lacking.