Atypical antipsychotics and weight gain--a systematic review.
OBJECTIVE
To review systematically data relating to weight changes with atypical antipsychotics.


METHODS
We conducted a Medline search on October 29 1999 and covered the period 1980-99. All recovered papers were examined for further relevant reports. In addition, we wrote to pharmaceutical manufacturers and 10 practising clinicians to ask them to provide other relevant reports known to them.


RESULTS
Eighty reports mentioning change in body weight were retrieved. Data relating to weight changes were of variable quality. Weight changes were indicated by a variety of measures. The majority of reports related to short-term changes.


CONCLUSIONS
All atypical drugs, with the exception of ziprasidone, have been associated with weight increases. Clozapine seems to have the highest risk of weight gain, followed by olanzapine and quetiapine. There is probably a lower risk with risperidone, sertindole and zotepine and a still lower risk with amisulpride. Ziprasidone appears not to be associated with weight gain. In the absence of more compelling data, these rankings must be considered approximate and preliminary. Longer, more robust trials are needed.
Taylor
D M
DM
Maudsley Hospital, London, UK.
McAskill
R
R
D000077582:Amisulpride; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D003024:Clozapine / Q000009:adverse effects; D003987:Dibenzothiazepines / Q000009:adverse effects; D003988:Dibenzothiepins / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000009:adverse effects; D007211:Indoles / Q000009:adverse effects; D000077152:Olanzapine; D010879:Piperazines / Q000009:adverse effects; D010890:Pirenzepine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D000069348:Quetiapine Fumarate; D018967:Risperidone / Q000009:adverse effects; D013469:Sulpiride / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000009:adverse effects; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003987:Dibenzothiazepines; D003988:Dibenzothiepins; D007093:Imidazoles; D007211:Indoles; D010879:Piperazines; D013844:Thiazoles; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D000069348:Quetiapine Fumarate; D010890:Pirenzepine; C092292:ziprasidone; D013469:Sulpiride; D000077582:Amisulpride; C066304:sertindole; D003024:Clozapine; D018967:Risperidone; D000077152:Olanzapine; C022172:zotepine