Bulimia

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 4, 2025.

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Bulimia is an eating disorder that causes you to binge and purge food. Bingeing means you eat a large amount of food in a short amount of time. Purging means you vomit or use laxatives to get rid of the food. You may also exercise for many hours each day or not eat anything at all in between bingeing episodes to prevent weight gain. Bulimia is also called bulimia nervosa.

DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:

Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) if:

• You want to harm or kill yourself.
• You have pain when you swallow, or severe pain in your chest or abdomen.
• Your heart is beating very fast or fluttering, or you feel dizzy or faint.

Seek care immediately if:

• Your muscles feel weak, and you have pain and stiffness.
• You cannot stop vomiting.
• You vomit blood or see blood in your bowel movements.

Call your doctor if:

• You are constipated.
• You have tingling in your hands or feet.
• You have pain in your teeth, mouth, or gums.
• You have new pain in your abdomen.
• Your monthly period is very light or has stopped completely.
• You are planning to get pregnant and want to develop a safe eating plan.
• You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.

Drugs used to treat this and similar conditions

Treatment options

The following list of medications are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

• Prozac
• Effexor
• fluoxetine
• topiramate
• venlafaxine

Medicines:

You may need any of the following:

• Depression medicine called SSRIs are usually used to treat bulimia. You may need this medicine even if you are not depressed. An SSRI gives your brain more of a chemical called serotonin. Serotonin may help you focus on other things and think less about weight and food.
• Seizure medicine may help control your mood swings and decrease aggression or irritability.
• Nausea medicine may be given to calm your stomach and prevent vomiting.
• Vitamin or mineral supplements may be needed if your nutrient levels are low because of bulimia.
• Take your medicine as directed. Contact your healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell your provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency.

Manage bulimia:

• Go to counseling sessions. Counseling is an important part of treatment. You may have group or individual counseling. Group counseling is a way for you to talk with others who have bulimia. Counseling may help you return to a healthy relationship with food and body image. Family sessions can help your family members understand bulimia and how to help you.
• Work with your dietitian. Others in your family may also meet with the dietitian. Together you will develop a healthy meal plan. It is important to eat 3 to 5 structured meals a day to reduce the urge to binge. You might need to learn how to prepare healthy food. You might also need to relearn what it feels like to be hungry and full. You may be asked to keep a food diary and bring it to future visits.
• Care for your mouth. Brush your teeth or rinse with fluoride mouthwash after vomiting. This will help prevent tooth damage. Use toothpaste made for sensitive teeth if your tooth enamel has been damaged by vomiting. Suck on tart candies to help with swollen glands in your mouth.

Self-care:

• Be patient. Recovery from bulimia is a process that takes time. You may have a binging and purging episode after a long period of healthy eating. This is common. Work with family members and providers to get back on track with healthy eating and healthy exercise. Try not to be angry with yourself for the episode.
• Focus on a healthy self-esteem. Think about everything you like about yourself. For example, you may be a talented artist, or you may write well. Focus on those skills or talents instead of on appearance. Ask others not to comment on your weight or shape. Your provider can tell you healthy weight ranges for your age and height. It may take time before you are comfortable knowing your weight or seeing your weight as healthy. Remember your goals to build a healthy self-esteem. Be patient with yourself as you change your thinking.
• Manage stress. Stress may increase your risk for a relapse. Try different ways to reduce stress, such as yoga, meditation, journaling, or spiritual development. Do this for 30 minutes every day.

Follow up with your doctor or therapist as directed:

You may need blood tests to make sure treatment is working. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.

For support and more information:

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Office of Science Policy, Planning, and Communications
  6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 6200, MSC 9663
  Bethesda , MD 20892-9663
  Phone: 1- 301 - 443-4513
  Phone: 1- 866 - 615-6464
  Web Address: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/
  

• The National Women's Health Information Center
  8270 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive
  Fairfax , VA 22031
  Phone: 1- 800 - 994-9662
  Web Address: http://www.womenshealth.gov
  

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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