Differential weight restoration on olanzapine versus fluoxetine in identical twins with anorexia nervosa

Int J Eat Disord. 2012 Mar;45(2):294-7. doi: 10.1002/eat.20917. Epub 2011 Feb 22.

Abstract

Objective: No studies have compared the response to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and atypical antipsychotics in anorexia nervosa. This case study examines such a comparison.

Method: This report describes a case of 12-year-old identical twins with anorexia nervosa, one of whom was treated with olanzapine and the other with fluoxetine, while undergoing family therapy.

Results: Twin A treated with fluoxetine went from 75 to 84.4% ideal body weight, while Twin B treated with olanzapine went from 72 to 99.9% ideal body weight over the course of 9 months.

Discussion: This case supports the need for adequately powered, controlled clinical trials to test the efficacy of olanzapine in adolescents presenting with anorexia nervosa.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anorexia Nervosa / drug therapy*
  • Anorexia Nervosa / therapy
  • Benzodiazepines / therapeutic use*
  • Child
  • Diseases in Twins / drug therapy*
  • Diseases in Twins / therapy
  • Family Therapy
  • Female
  • Fluoxetine / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Olanzapine
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Twins, Monozygotic / psychology
  • Weight Gain / drug effects*

Substances

  • Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
  • Fluoxetine
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Olanzapine