The Implications of Weight Changes with Antipsychotic Treatment

Patients receiving treatment with atypical antipsychotics commonly experience weight gain, which can cause considerable distress and can have deleterious effects on cardiovascular health. Because of the associated weight gain and potential direct effects on glucose metabolism, atypical antipsychotics have also been linked to the development of type II diabetes mellitus. Data on long-term treatment with these agents show that clozapine and olanzapine, followed by risperidone, were associated with the greatest degree of weight gain. A large body of data suggests that during long-term treatment, patients receiving the atypical antipsychotic quetiapine experience minimal weight gain. Data also suggest that quetiapine treatment does not increase the risk of developing type II diabetes. The use of atypical antipsychotics is increasing, as these agents are being prescribed for schizophrenia in lieu of conventional antipsychotics. Furthermore, these drugs have efficacy for treating other conditions such as bipolar disorder. Physicians prescribing atypical antipsychotics must be aware of the risk of weight gain and its associated comorbidities.