Eating Disorders - Treatment for Anorexia

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Click the icon to see an image of some sources of calcium.

Other Drugs for Restoring Bone Density. Other drugs are useful for bone restoration, including parathyroid hormone and bisphosphonates, although research on these drugs has been conducted primarily on postmenopausal women.

Investigative Drugs. One 2002 study reported that recombinant human IGF-I (rhIGF-I), which is a growth hormone, was effective in restoring bone, particularly in combination with oral contraceptives.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a weak male hormone that is reduced in anorexia and, like estrogen, has positive effects on bone density. In a 2002 study, patients with anorexia who took DHEA experienced both improved bone density and improved psychological well-being. Long-term effects of taking DHEA are unknown. Possible adverse effects include male characteristics (acne, facial hair), unfavorable effects on cholesterol, and a possible growth-stimulating effect on breast or prostate cancer.

Review Date: 12/13/2006
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital.

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