Paroxetine-Induced Anorexia in a Patient With Bulimia Nervosa

Letter to the Editor

Sir: Drs. Vaz and Salcedo recommended reducing dosage
and continuing treatment of bulimia with the same serotonin selective
reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) if anorexia occurs as a side effect.
Recently, several SSRIs have demonstrated utility in
treating bulimia nervosa and depression. I report the induction
of anorexia (and possibly hallucinations) in a patient diagnosed
with bulimia nervosa and depression who was taking an
SSRI. I suggest considering switching a patient’s medication to
a different SSRI (at an equivalent dose) if anorexia is induced
by the first SSRI.