Association between antipsychotic-induced elevation of liver enzymes and weight gain: a prospective study.
We conducted a prospective, open study in schizophrenia patients treated with second-generation antipsychotics in order to investigate the risk for elevation of liver enzymes and its correlation to antipsychotic-induced weight gain. Body mass index, serum transaminases, plasma serum levels of the antipsychotic used, and blood cell counts were measured weekly during the first 6 weeks of treatment and monthly thereafter. A considerable proportion of subjects showed an increase beyond normal levels of at least one of the measured transaminases. In all but one case, the elevation of liver enzymes was transient. We found a statistically significant correlation between weight gain and liver enzyme elevation. The group of patients that had gained at least 7% of the baseline body weight showed significantly higher increases of transaminases as compared with those who had gained less than 7% weight. We conclude that antipsychotic-induced elevation of liver enzymes is mostly transient and could be associated with weight gain.
Rettenbacher
Maria A
MA
Department of Biological Psychiatry, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstrasse, Innsbruck, Austria. maria.rettenbacher@uibk.ac.at
Baumgartner
Susanne
S
Eder-Ischia
Ursula
U
Edlinger
Monika
M
Graziadei
Ivo
I
Hofer
Alex
A
Huber
Regina
R
Hummer
Martina
M
Kemmler
Georg
G
Weiss
Elisabeth
E
Fleischhacker
W Wolfgang
WW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects*; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase