Approved and Pipeline Pharmacological Interventions for Eating Disorders (2010-2025): 15 Years of Progress (or Lack Thereof)

Drew Hirsch; Jace Reed; Aasim Naqvi; Ashley Ngor; Lauren Dugan; Kelly Costa; Rolando Sceptre Ganasi; Kyla Truman; Itai Danovitch; Waguih William IsHak; Rebecca Hedrick

doi:10.1007/s40263-025-01248-7

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Approved and Pipeline Pharmacological Interventions for Eating Disorders (2010-2025): 15 Years of Progress (or Lack Thereof)

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Approved and Pipeline Pharmacological Interventions for Eating Disorders (2010-2025): 15 Years of Progress (or Lack Thereof)

Drew Hirsch, Jace Reed, Aasim Naqvi, Ashley Ngor, Lauren Dugan, Kelly Costa, Rolando Sceptre Ganasi, Kyla Truman, Itai Danovitch, Waguih William IsHak, …

CNS drugs, v 40(2), pp 133-164

01 Feb 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40263-025-01248-7

PMID: 41313392

Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel

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Abstract

Clinical Trials as Topic

Drug Approval

Feeding and Eating Disorders - drug therapy

Humans

United States Food and Drug Administration

United States

Eating disorders (EDs) are complex psychiatric conditions characterized by disruptions in eating behaviors, body image concerns, and profound medical and psychosocial consequences. Despite their significant global prevalence, coupled with high morbidity and mortality rates, pharmacological treatment options remain limited. This review synthesizes evidence from clinical drug trials conducted between 1 January 2010 and 1 January 2025, supplemented with relevant literature, to evaluate the current and emerging pharmacological landscape for EDs. A systematic search of the U.S. Clinical Trials Registry (ClinicalTrials.gov) identified 43 eligible phase I-IV clinical trials for the treatment of anorexia nervosa (n = 12), binge eating disorder (n = 27), bulimia nervosa (n = 2), and rumination disorder (n = 2). Among 24 distinct compounds studied, only 1 agent, lisdexamfetamine dimesylate, received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for an ED during this period. Notably, few agents have demonstrated positive results in late-stage trials and remain in development for EDs as of 2025. While some emerging agents show promise, such as solriamfetol and psilocybin, there remains a significant lack of evidence-based pharmacological interventions for anorexia nervosa and a dearth of progress in pharmacotherapy for bulimia nervosa. Overall, the past 15 years have witnessed limited advancements in pharmacotherapy for EDs. There remains an urgent need for rigorous clinical trials in this area in addition to increased prioritization of ED research at the public health level to overcome longstanding barriers in the treatment of EDs.

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Title: Approved and Pipeline Pharmacological Interventions for Eating Disorders (2010-2025): 15 Years of Progress (or Lack Thereof)
Creators: Drew Hirsch - Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Jace Reed - Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Aasim Naqvi - Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Ashley Ngor - Creighton University
Lauren Dugan - School of Medicine, California University of Science and Medicine, Colton, CA, USA
Kelly Costa - Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Rolando Sceptre Ganasi - University of California, Irvine
Kyla Truman - University of California, Los Angeles
Itai Danovitch - Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Waguih William IsHak (Corresponding Author) - Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Rebecca Hedrick - Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Publication Details: CNS drugs, v 40(2), pp 133-164
Publisher: Springer Nature
Resource Type: Journal article
Language: English
Academic Unit: College of Medicine
Web of Science ID: WOS:001626663200001
Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-105023202901
Other Identifier: 991022196570304721

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Web of Science research areas: Clinical Neurology; Pharmacology & Pharmacy; Psychiatry