Johns Hopkins trial begins testing tirzepatide for binge eating disorder

A phase 2 trial has begun assigning participants to test whether tirzepatide reduces binge-eating episodes in adults who have both binge-eating disorder and obesity. The study, registered as NCT06847399, plans to enroll 105 adults and is estimated to be completed in December 2027 ^[1].

Participants are randomly assigned to one of three groups: tirzepatide, lisdexamfetamine dimesylate, or placebo ^[1]. Everyone in the trial also receives guided self-help cognitive behavioral therapy, so the medication is being tested on top of behavioral support rather than instead of it ^[1]. The trial is listed as phase 2, run by Johns Hopkins with Eli Lilly as a collaborator ^[1].

Tirzepatide is the active ingredient in Mounjaro and Zepbound. Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate is included as an active comparator, which the trial registry defines as a treatment that health care providers consider effective ^[1]. The placebo group receives an inactive comparison. Having both kinds of comparison arms means the study can measure tirzepatide against an existing treatment as well as against no active drug.

The main measure, called the primary endpoint, is the change in binge-eating episodes at 52 weeks ^[1]. The study title also lists safety among the things being measured ^[1]. The trial enrolls adults who have both obesity and binge-eating disorder, so its findings will speak to that group rather than to everyone with binge-eating disorder ^[1].

Several details have not been reported, including the doses used, how many study sites are taking part, and how results will be shared. No results have been posted from the trial ^[1].

Why it matters for patients

There is no evidence yet from this study about whether tirzepatide reduces binge-eating episodes, or how it compares with lisdexamfetamine dimesylate or placebo. Any claim about tirzepatide for binge eating is not based on this trial's results, because those results do not exist yet ^[1].

The design carries a practical detail: because every participant also gets guided self-help cognitive behavioral therapy, the results should show whether the drug adds anything beyond that support, not simply whether people improve while taking it ^[1].

Binge-eating disorder is being studied here alongside obesity, which means the trial's conclusions will apply to adults with both conditions. People with binge-eating disorder who do not have obesity, and adolescents, are outside the group being studied ^[1].

Studying a drug in a trial does not change the uses it is approved for, and a phase 2 trial is an early step in testing a new use. The trial listing is public, and whether to seek out a study like this is a decision for patients and their clinicians.

What happens next

Randomization began in September 2025 ^[1]. The primary endpoint is measured at 52 weeks of treatment ^[1]. The estimated completion date is December 2027 ^[1]. No results have been posted for the study ^[1].