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Published on: February 4, 2014
Memantine-associated reversal of clozapine-induced weight gain
M Schaefer1, K Leopold, A Hinzpeter
1Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité- Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Charité Mitte, Berlin, Germany. martin.schaefer@charite.de
Introduction:
Weight gain is a frequently observed adverse event in the treatment with atypical antipsychotics that significantly affects the patients' physical health and treatment compliance.
Methods:
We report on a treatment-resistant schizophrenic patient who received an add-on treatment with the low-affinity NMDA antagonist memantine because of cognitive disturbances.
Results:
During this treatment we observed a marked decrease of clozapine-induced weight gain. The causal relationship to memantine could be demonstrated using an on-off-on design with a significant increase of weight after discontinuation and again a substantial weight loss after re-exposition with memantine. Beside weight, also negative symptoms improved.
Discussion:
Prospective controlled trials evaluating the safety and possible positive effects of memantine on antipsychotic induced weight gain are needed.
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