Anorexia Nervosa

Medications

There are no medicines to treat anorexia nervosa. But if you are depressed or anxious, your doctor may prescribe an antidepressant medicine. Antidepressant medicine is most proven for treating bulimia.² For more information, see antidepressant medicines for the treatment of bulimia nervosa.

An antidepressant may help if you also have depression, an anxiety disorder, or obsessive-compulsive disorder. For more information, see one of the following topics:

• Depression in Children and Teens
• Depression
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

If you have anorexia and are taking medicine, you must have regular checkups. Being malnourished or severely underweight can change the amount of medicine in your body. Too much or too little can be dangerous.

During a checkup, your health professional will note your heart rate, temperature, and blood pressure. You may also have blood tests to check the amount of medicine in your blood.

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Author:	Jeannette Curtis	Last Updated: September 25, 2007
Medical Review:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine W. Stewart Agras, MD - Psychiatry
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