Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy of naltrexone-bupropion in binge eating disorder patients. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases up to February 2025 for randomized controlled trials comparing naltrexone-bupropion to placebo. The primary outcome was binge eating frequency. Secondary outcomes included body mass index, body weight, depression, lipid profile, and glycated hemoglobin levels. Mean differences (MD) with 95%CI were pooled using appropriate methods. RESULTS: Three trials were included with a total of 177 patients, of whom 49% received the intervention. There was no significant difference between groups for binge eating (MD -1.25; 95%CI -5.61 to 3.11; 0 = 0.57), body mass index (MD -2.24; 95%CI -8.01 to 3.53; p = 0.45), depression (MD -0.81; 95%CI -3.48 to 1.87; p = 0.55), or total cholesterol (MD -9.98; 95%CI -21.31 to 3.34; p = 0.15). A potential benefit was observed in glycated hemoglobin levels (MD -0.10; 95%CI -0.28 to 0.08; p = 0.26). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis found that naltrexone-bupropion has no significant benefits over placebo in reducing binge eating episodes or in improving metabolic or psychological outcomes. The possible effect on glycated hemoglobin levels warrants further investigation.