Weight gain in bipolar disorder: pharmacological treatment as a contributing factor.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this paper was to review the association of most commonly used psychopharmacological drugs with weight gain in bipolar disorder.


METHODS
Information was retrieved from a PubMed/Medline literature search reviewing weight gain in pharmacological studies in bipolar disorder.


RESULTS
Obesity and overweight in bipolar disorder are partly related to prescribed drugs with a strong effect of clozapine and olanzapine. Lesser but still relevant weight gain is caused by quetiapine, risperidone, lithium, valproate, gabapentin and by some antidepressants. Ziprasidone, aripiprazole, carbamazepine and lamotrigine do not seem to cause significant overweight.


CONCLUSIONS
Careful monitoring of weight changes in patients before and after drug prescription should be implemented in the clinical routine and drugs which potentially cause weight gain should be avoided in overweight patients with bipolar disorder. Furthermore, eating habits and daily activities should be targeted as they may also have a significant impact on overall health and weight-related issues.
Torrent
C
C
Bipolar Disorders Program, Clinical Institute of Neuroscience, University Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBER-SAM, Barcelona, Spain.
Amann
B
B
Sánchez-Moreno
J
J
Colom
F
F
Reinares
M
M
Comes
M
M
Rosa
A R
AR
Scott
J
J
Vieta
E
E
D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D018020:Lithium Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009765:Obesity / Q000139:chemically induced; D012307:Risk Factors; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects*
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D018692:Antimanic Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D018020:Lithium Compounds