How to Use Zofran to Treat Bulimia

Zofran, a medication that is classified as a serotonin receptor antagonist, is used to reduce the vomiting and nausea that follows chemotherapy. In recent years, Zofran has been investigated as a possible form of treatment for the eating disorder bulimia nervosa, which is notable for its purging behaviors through the use of vomiting. Talk to your doctor to learn more about using Zofran to treat bulimia.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Zofran
• Mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist

Use Zofran to Treat Bulimia

1. Ask your mental health professional about the use of Zofran to reduce the binging and purging impulse that characterizes most cases of bulimia. Zofran affects the vagus nerve in the neck, which sends messages to the brain that the stomach is full. By using Zofran, the gag reflex is eliminated and the seemingly involuntary need to purge after a meal is significantly reduced.
2. Be aware of the side effects of using Zofran to treat bulimia. While Zofran is a relatively mild medication and easily absorbed by the body, some people may experience headaches, dizziness and constipation. There are no known adverse reactions to other types of medications, however, so Zofran may be combined with an effective antidepressant such as Prozac, which has been shown to relieve many of the symptoms of bulimia.
3. Use Zofran as part of a comprehensive treatment for bulimia nervosa, which may include psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy, exercise and nutritional counseling. Zofran only treats the behavioral conditioning that links eating to purging, so it may or may not reduce bulimic symptoms on its own. Most patients report a significant reduction of purging behaviors while using Zofran, as opposed to a complete elimination.
4. Lower the dosage of Zofran as the urge to vomit decreases. As many as 30 percent to 50 percent of all patients who use Zofran report a complete remission of purging behaviors. Occasional doses of Zofran may be effective in preventing symptoms from resurfacing.
5. Prevent the purging behaviors from returning by eating well-balanced, nutritious meals at regular intervals throughout the day. Avoid eating large amounts of food at one sitting, which may prompt some symptoms to re-emerge. Consider revisiting foods that you once considered taboo during your eating disorder so that you can enjoy them once again without feeling the urge to binge.

Tips & Warnings

• Zofran has also proven to be a safe and effective way to treat hyperemesis gravidarum, more commonly known as morning sickness, in pregnant women.