H(2) antagonist nizatidine may control olanzapine-associated weight gain in schizophrenic patients.
BACKGROUND
Olanzapine is temporally associated, in a number of patients with schizophrenia, with weight gain. H(2) antagonists, like nizatidine, have been shown to control appetite in overweight patients.


METHODS
A patient with olanzapine temporally associated weight gain was treated with nizatidine as "add-on" therapy.


RESULTS
Nizatidine treatment was associated with good control and subsequent reduction of weight after 4 to 5 weeks of therapy in a patient with repetitive episodes of weight gain during olanzapine treatment. Olanzapine was otherwise well tolerated and effective in controlling psychopathology.


CONCLUSIONS
H(2) antagonist treatment with olanzapine may be a valid medical strategy in preventing and/or reducing weight gain in patients with schizophrenia. Controlled studies are recommended to confirm this observation.
Sacchetti
E
E
University Psychiatric Service, University School of Medicine & Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy.
Guarneri
L
L
Bravi
D
D
D000328:Adult; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D010054:Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016567:Nizatidine / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009765:Obesity / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000077152:Olanzapine; D010890:Pirenzepine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D012563:Schizophrenia, Paranoid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects*
D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D010890:Pirenzepine; D000077152:Olanzapine; D016567:Nizatidine