Weight loss drugs known as “GLP-1” receptor agonists may help reduce key symptoms of binge eating disorder, according to a new review led by researchers at University College London (UCL).
The study found that these drugs can help reduce binge eating episodes, loss of control eating, and emotional eating. Researchers say the findings point to a possible role for the drugs in treating binge eating disorder, in addition to their established use for weight loss.
Lead author Dr. Ilaria Costantini of UCL Psychiatry said binge eating disorder is common and can be seriously disruptive to daily life, affecting more than 17 million people worldwide. She noted that treatment options remain limited, with no approved medications currently available, leaving a clear need for better care options. She said this review found evidence that weight loss drugs may help manage some of the condition’s core symptoms.
The trials examined drugs that target the “GLP-1” hormone, which plays a role in regulating appetite. These include semaglutide, sold under brand names like Ozempic and Wegovy, as well as tirzepatide and liraglutide. These medications can reduce appetite, slow stomach emptying, and may also affect brain processes tied to reward and impulse control.
Many people with binge eating disorder cannot access these drugs through public healthcare systems and often pay out of pocket for private treatment. Researchers acknowledged limitations, noting that most trials reviewed carried a notable risk of bias, were funded by pharmaceutical companies, and rarely included participants formally diagnosed with binge eating disorder.
