As eating disorder specialists, our therapists and dietitians often get questions from clients about binge eating disorder medication.
It’s totally understandable – when you’re struggling with BED, you want to know all your options. While working with a therapist, dietitian, and doctor is usually the core of a treatment plan, medications can sometimes play a helpful supporting role in recovery.
Heads up: This post is for informational purposes only and isn’t meant to replace professional medical advice. Always chat with your healthcare team about any medical decisions.
What Medications Are Available for Binge Eating Disorder Treatment?
There’s only one FDA-approved medication specifically for BED, called Vyvanse (also used for ADHD).
In a nutshell, Vyvanse helps your brain better regulate impulse control and appetite. Some people find it helpful for managing ED symptoms while in recovery.
You can learn more about Vyvanse and its uses/side effects here!
Other Binge Eating Disorder Medications
Because eating disorders are complicated and aren’t usually caused (or helped) by one identifiable thing, treating things that make the ED worse can sometimes help the ED.
For example, if you struggle with both binge eating disorder and depression, and notice that your binge eating symptoms are worse during depressive episodes, an anti-depressant may help symptoms for both.
To make sure any medications you take are helping with the big picture, we encourage you to build a full treatment team (therapist, psychiatrist, medical doctor, and dietitian).
Weight Loss Medication & Eating Disorders
Weight loss medications like Ozempic aren’t directly approved for the treatment of eating disorders. That being said, we’d be doing you a disservice if we didn’t talk about the elephant in the room:
Weight stigma, binge eating disorder, and medication.
If you live in a larger body or have experienced weight gain related to your eating disorder, your provider may encourage a weight loss medication without learning the full story. They also may not have training in eating disorders that would help guide their recommendation.
Because medications like Ozempic are associated with disordered eating and weight regain after stopping them, they can actually worsen your eating disorder symptoms and cause a vicious cycle.
Read our post about Ozempic & eating disorders here.
You deserve healthcare providers who see, hear, and understand you – not just your weight. Recovery from binge eating disorder means healing your relationship with food and your body, not chasing quick fixes that could harm you in the long run.
If you’re concerned about a provider pushing weight loss medications without understanding your eating disorder history, know that it’s okay to advocate for yourself, seek a second opinion, or find a provider who specializes in eating disorders. You have the right to treatment that addresses the root causes of your eating disorder and supports your complete wellbeing – mind, body, and spirit.
Reminder: There’s nothing wrong with your body for needing to heal from BED. There’s nothing wrong with you for needing support. The problem lies in a healthcare system that sometimes prioritizes weight loss over mental health and genuine recovery.
Things To Think About Before Starting Binge Eating Disorder Medication
Medication isn’t a magic wand – but it can be a helpful tool that works best when it’s part of a bigger plan.
Some things to keep in mind:
- Everyone responds differently to medications (our bodies are wonderfully unique that way!)
- Finding the right medication might take some trial and error
- There can be side effects (always good to discuss these with your doctor)
- Insurance coverage can be tricky sometimes, especially for off-label prescriptions
TL;DR:
The decision to start medication should be made thoughtfully with your whole healthcare and recovery team. They’ll look at your whole picture – your medical history, other medications you’re taking, and your specific symptoms and needs.
Remember: your journey is unique. What works for one person might not work for another. That’s completely okay! The goal is finding the right combination of tools for you – which can take both time and patience.
Speaking of tools for recovery – we offer therapy and nutrition counseling in our Houston, TX office and virtually across the USA in select states. Contact us for more information, or to schedule your first appointment!