Statistically significant increase in weight caused by low-dose quetiapine.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if preliminary data suggest that low-dose quetiapine is associated with weight gain.


METHODS
Retrospective medical record review.


METHODS
Two military hospitals serving active-duty soldiers, family members of service members, and military retirees.


METHODS
Five hundred thirty-four adult military health care beneficiaries who received quetiapine at a total daily dose of 100 mg or less for a minimum of 1 month between January 1, 2005, and June 30, 2008.


RESULTS
The mean weight at baseline was 175.68 lbs. The mean ± standard error weight gain compared with baseline was 0.49 ± 0.51 lbs (p=0.335) at 1 month, increasing in a generally linear fashion to 5.56 ± 1.25 lbs (p<0.001) at 6 months, and 10.58 ± 2.20 lbs (p<0.001) at 12 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Low-dose quetiapine caused a statistically significant weight gain in our study population. This finding highlights the need for greater recognition of the potential for quetiapine to cause undesirable effects, and demonstrates the importance of close monitoring of physiologic parameters during treatment.
Williams
Scott G
SG
Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC 20307, USA. scott.g.williams@us.army.mil
Alinejad
Nima A
NA
Williams
Jeannie A
JA
Cruess
David F
DF
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003987:Dibenzothiazepines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D000069348:Quetiapine Fumarate; D011969:Receptors, Histamine H1 / Q000378:metabolism; D044348:Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT2 / Q000378:metabolism; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects*; D055815:Young Adult
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003987:Dibenzothiazepines; D011969:Receptors, Histamine H1; D044348:Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT2; D000069348:Quetiapine Fumarate