Related Experiment Videos
Weight gain mitigation with topiramate in mood disorders
Tonja M Woods1, Samantha F Eichner, Andrea S Franks
1School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071-3375, USA. tmwoods@uwyo.edu
The Annals of Pharmacotherapy
|March 25, 2004
Summary
Topiramate may cause weight loss in patients with mood disorders, a potential benefit given that many mood disorder treatments cause weight gain. Further controlled studies are needed to confirm this finding.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Weight gain is a common adverse effect of medications used for mood disorders.
- Topiramate is an anticonvulsant medication with potential applications in mood disorder management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing evidence on topiramate's effect on weight in patients diagnosed with mood disorders.
- To assess the potential of topiramate as a treatment option for mood disorders where weight management is also a concern.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted using databases like MEDLINE, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, and EMBASE.
- Search terms included 'topiramate,' 'weight loss,' 'adverse effect,' 'mood disorders,' and 'bipolar disorder.'
- Evidence was gathered from case reports, letters to the editor, prospective investigations, and retrospective observational studies.
Main Results:
- The review identified an association between topiramate use and weight loss in patients with mood disorders.
- Weight loss emerged as a potentially beneficial side effect of topiramate in this patient population.
Conclusions:
- Current evidence suggests topiramate is associated with weight loss.
- Controlled studies are necessary to establish the definitive role of topiramate in managing mood disorders, particularly for patients who could benefit from weight reduction.