Medications originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes and assist with weight loss may also help reduce binge eating behaviors, according to new research published July 15 in eClinical Medicine.
The study focused on glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, known as GLP-1RAs. Drugs in this class include Ozempic and Wegovy, both widely prescribed for weight management. Researchers found these medications can lead to moderate reductions in binge eating severity, loss of control eating, and emotional eating in people living with obesity.
The research was a systematic review and meta-analysis, meaning it synthesized data from multiple clinical trials rather than conducting new experiments. Researchers searched major medical databases for randomized controlled trials published between 2005 and April 2026. They included trials that compared any GLP-1RA medication to a placebo or another active treatment, and that reported validated measures of binge eating or related behaviors.
A total of 25 randomized controlled trials met the criteria. Those trials enrolled 8,069 participants. About two-thirds were female, the majority identified as white, and the median age was 47. All participants were living with overweight or obesity. Studies involving participants with severe physical illnesses such as cancer were excluded to keep results comparable across the group.
The most commonly studied drug was liraglutide, followed by semaglutide, dulaglutide, and tirzepatide. The treatment periods in these trials ranged from 6 weeks to 104 weeks. Most studies used a placebo as the comparison treatment, though some measured GLP-1RAs against other medications or behavioral therapies.
One finding that researchers noted alongside the reductions in disordered eating was an increase in cognitive or dietary restraint, meaning participants showed a greater conscious effort to control food intake. Whether that increase is beneficial or carries its own risks in people with eating disorders was not settled by the study.
Only three of the 25 trials specifically recruited participants diagnosed with binge eating disorder. The rest drew from broader populations of people with obesity or overweight. Researchers acknowledged that gap as a limitation, noting that additional targeted studies will be needed before firm conclusions can be drawn about GLP-1 use specifically in people diagnosed with binge eating disorder.
According to Healthline, experts say GLP-1 medications could potentially supplement existing treatments for binge eating disorder, such as psychotherapy, rather than replace them. They also emphasized that anyone considering these drugs for disordered eating should consult with an eating disorder specialist before starting them.
