Weight gain as a consequence of treatment with antipsychotics

Abstract

SummaryWeight gain is a common adverse event following treatment with antipsychotics. Further negative consequences of weight gain are a higher risk for metabolic syndrome or cardiovascular events. All antipsychotics bear this risk for antipsychotic-induced weight gain (AIWG), although to a vastly different extent. Interindividual differences are due to clinical and genetic risk factors such as younger age and lower initial body mass index. The mechanisms of AIWG are not fully understood, although they appear to involve a complex dysregulation and alteration within the control centres for hunger and satiety in the hypothalamus and in peripheral tissue. Through identification of patients at risk for AIWG, close monitoring as proposed by guidelines, as well as additional preventive measures early in the course of treatment such as lifestyle interventions, weight gain can be limited. This may help to ameliorate the metabolic situation of psychiatric patients and eventually improve their overall morbidity.