Fluoxetine-maintained obese humans: Effect on food intake and body weight

The effects of fluoxetine on food intake, body weight, and mood of obese in dividuals was examined in a 16-week inpatient/outpatient study. Six male an d eight female obese volunteers began the study (four male and five females completed all phases of the study). They lived in a residential laboratory during three one-week inpatient periods separated by a 5-week and an 8-wee k outpatient period. Following an initial 4-day placebo baseline, participa nts were maintained on fluoxetine (60 mg/day) for the remainder of the stud y. Food intake parameters (total daily energy intake, macronutrient intake, mean number of eating bouts, interbout interval), body weight, subjective effects, and task performance were measured several times during the day du ring inpatient periods; food intake questionnaires were completed daily dur ing the outpatient periods. Fluoxetine significantly reduced daily energy i ntake derived from fat, carbohydrate, and protein by decreasing the mean nu mber of eating bouts per day throughout the study. No other food intake par ameter was affected. Body weight was significantly reduced after 7 weeks, b ut not after 16 weeks of daily fluoxetine administration. These results ind icate that fluoxetine reduced food intake for at least 16 weeks in nondepre ssed obese individuals without specifically affecting carbohydrate intake. Weight that was lost during the first few weeks of daily fluoxetine adminis tration was subsequently regained even though food intake remained reduced. Therefore, fluoxetine maintenance does not appear promising as a sole long -term therapy for obesity. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserv ed.