Drug That Can Treat Binge Eating Disorder Gets Priority Review Status By FDA

A drug from Shire plc, a global pharmaceutical company, is currently scheduled for priority FDA review as a treatment for adults with binge eating disorder.

Vyvanse is a prescription medicine currently used to treat Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Under priority review, the FDA is expected to make a decision about the drug’s efficacy for binge eating disorder in February of 2015.

Trials show promising results

Earlier this year, a randomized, placebo-controlled trial with the drug revealed that Vyvanse helped to reduce binge eating episodes in patients who normally binge ate four times a week.

The study also found that Vyvanse might help to improve cognitive restraint when it comes to hunger.

Binge eating disorder was officially recognized as a condition in the latest version of the DSM-5.

“The decision from the FDA to accept our filing for priority review not only marks progress in the development of Vyvanse for adults with BED, but underscores this is an area of unmet medical need as there are currently no approved pharmacologic options for these patients,” Phil Vickers, PhD, Head of Research and Development at Shire, said in a statement.

Source: Marketwatch, Med Page Today