title: Topiramate, zonisamide and weight loss in children and adolescents prescribed psychiatric medications: A medical record review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic that is contributed to by the use of psychopharmacological agents, such as antipsychotics. This study represents a preliminary investigation into the effectiveness of two anticonvulsants that were hypothesized to reduce weight in a pediatric sample seeking treatment at a psychiatric clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  The electronic medical records of a university-based child and adolescent psychiatric clinic were reviewed for patients who were first prescribed either topiramate or zonisamide between 1 July 2011 and 30 June 2013. Based on inclusionary criteria, the review identified 47 children or adolescents.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Multilevel modeling was utilized for study analyses. Including the full sample and controlling for confounders, anticonvulsant dosage was uniquely associated with an average reduction in body mass index of 1.3 (dosages above 200 mg) to 4.1 (dosages below 50 mg) every six months of treatment. Exlucing patients whose baseline body mass index was below 25.0 and controlling for confounders, anticonvulsant dosage was uniquely associated with an average reduction in body mass index of 3.2 (dosages above 200 mg) to 6.1 (dosages below 50 mg) every six months of treatment. Weight reduction was not statistically different between topiramate or zonisamide. Anticonvulsants were associated with an increase in body mass index, yet the benefits of the two anticonvulsants on weight loss remained despite the counteractive effects of antipsychotics.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results provide preliminary evidence that topiramate and zonisamide may be utilized for weight loss in a pediatric psychopharmacological treatment seeking sample, even if antipsychotics are also prescribed. A randomized controlled trial investigating the impact of topiramate and zonisamide on weight reduction is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA mshapiro@ufl.edu.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shapiro
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA Division of Clinical & Health Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Reid
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Olsen
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Taasan
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McNamara
authors.affiliation: Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Mathew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nguyen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D057286:Electronic Health Records; D005260:Female; D005632:Fructose / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007555:Isoxazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000077236:Topiramate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects*; D000078305:Zonisamide
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D007555:Isoxazoles; D000077236:Topiramate; D005632:Fructose; D000078305:Zonisamide
keywords: Children; adolescents; obesity; psychotropics; topiramate; zonisamide