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Published on: October 22, 2015
Adolescent weight loss during treatment with olanzapine
Judith A Cohen1, James M Perel
1Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15212, USA. jcohen1@wpahs.org
Abstract:
Antipsychotic medications are increasingly used in adolescents for a variety of psychiatric difficulties, including psychosis, bipolar disorder, and aggression. Weight gain is a significant side effect of neuroleptics, which may limit adolescents' compliance with these medications. This report presents a case of significant weight loss while on olanzapine, with a body mass index (BMI) falling from 25 to 19.5 during 8 months of treatment. Possible mechanisms for this effect are discussed.
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