Which FDA-approved SSRI is commonly prescribed for bulimia?

Fluoxetine is the SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor) that has been FDA-approved specifically for the treatment of bulimia nervosa. It is the first medication to be approved for this eating disorder and has shown efficacy in reducing binge-eating and purging behaviors. The mechanism by which fluoxetine exert its effects is primarily through the enhancement of serotonin levels in the brain, which may help to regulate mood and decrease the frequency of these disordered eating behaviors.

Fluoxetine’s clinical trials demonstrated that it not only reduces the core symptoms of bulimia but also helps to alleviate associated psychological symptoms such as depression and anxiety, which often accompany this disorder. This makes it a preferred option in the treatment of bulimia compared to other SSRIs, which may not have the same level of established evidence for efficacy in this specific condition.

While the other SSRIs listed, such as sertraline, citalopram, and escitalopram, are commonly used to treat a variety of mood disorders and may also be beneficial in managing symptoms of eating disorders, they do not have the same specific FDA indication for bulimia nervosa as fluoxetine does. This distinction reinforces the importance of understanding both the clinical evidence and FDA