Quetiapine, one of the atypical antipsychotics which have become popular in the treatment of schizophrenia, has shown to help in the recovery from anorexia. In a study of 19 patients published in this month's International Journal of Eating Disorders, nine patients gained weight after ten weeks on the drug.
"Patients with anorexia have multiple symptoms including anxiety, depression, obsession and compulsions," the researchers write. "Reduction in these symptoms might make weight gain easier."Patients with anorexia also have misperceptions of reality -- for example, believing they are fat when they are emaciated -- that are similar to the psychotic symptoms of people with schizophrenia, [Dr. Pauline S.] Powers and her team note in the International Journal of Eating Disorders.
Read more: Schizophrenia drug helps anorexia patients
ABSTRACT: Quetiapine in anorexia nervosa patients: An open label outpatient pilot study