Bulimia Nervosa

Sialadenosis in Bulimia: A New Treatment

Archives of Otolaryngolical Head and Neck Surgery
By Philip S. Mehler, MD, FACP, FAED, CEDS

Abstract

Objective: To see whether a cholinomimetic medication would help resolve the parotid gland enlargement associated with self-induced vomiting in bulimic patients.

Setting/design: The medication was administered on an inpatient eating disorder unit to bulimic patients with refractory sialadenosis.

Intervention: Pilocarpine hydrochloride drops were administered orally at a dosage of 1.25 to 5.0 mg/d until the parotid gland enlargement was significantly reduced.

Results: There was a marked diminution in the size of the parotid gland enlargement.

Conclusion: Pilocarpine has proved to be beneficial in the treatment of sialadenosis in bulimic patients.

Written by

Philip S. Mehler, MD, FACP, FAED, CEDS

Dr. Mehler founded ACUTE Center for Eating Disorders & Severe Malnutrition in 2001. He began his career at Denver Health more than 35 years ago and was formerly its Chief of Internal Medicine and…

ACUTE Earns Prestigious Center of Excellence Designation from Anthem
In 2018, the ACUTE Center for Eating Disorders & Severe Malnutrition at Denver Health was honored by Anthem Health as a Center of Excellence for Medical Treatment of Severe and Extreme Eating Disorders. ACUTE is the first medical unit ever to achieve this designation in the field of eating disorders. It comes after a rigorous review process.

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