PROZAC . . . TREATING BULIMIA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is on the verge of approving Prozac, the drug often prescribed to treat depression and obsessive-compulsive disorders, as a treatment for bulimia. The move, indicated by an "approvable letter" the FDA has issued, could prompt many doctors to turn to the touted miracle drug to help solve the eating disorder -- despite an unresolved controversy over whether the faddish pills from Eli Lilly & Co. actually leave some depression patients worse off. TIME science writer Christine Gorman points out that physicians have already been giving bulimia patients Prozac (it's not an "approved use," but still legal to prescribe). But, Gorman says, federal approval is avote of confidence that could make the drug a first resortin many more cases. "The FDA is satisfied that this works," she says.Post your opinion on theHealth & Medecinebulletin board.