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Related Experiment Videos

Weight gain with antidepressants and lithium.

E J Garland1, R A Remick, A P Zis

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia Health Sciences Centre Hospital, Vancouver, Canada.

Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology
|October 1, 1988
PubMed
Summary

Weight gain during treatment for major affective disorders is common, impacting patient compliance and health. This review details antidepressant and lithium-induced weight gain, offering management strategies to mitigate these effects.

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Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Psychiatry
  • Metabolic Disorders

Background:

  • Weight gain is a frequent adverse effect of medications for major affective disorders.
  • This side effect can reduce treatment adherence and introduce health risks.
  • Understanding drug-specific weight gain patterns is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the literature on weight gain associated with common psychotropic medications.
  • To identify mechanisms contributing to medication-induced weight gain.
  • To propose practical management and prevention strategies for weight gain.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and lithium.
  • Analysis of reported weight gain rates and associated clinical effects.

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  • Synthesis of proposed pathophysiological mechanisms for weight gain.

    • Main Results:

    • Tricyclic antidepressants cause dose-dependent weight gain (0.57–1.37 kg/month) via appetite stimulation.
    • Novel antidepressants may be anorectic.
    • Lithium therapy leads to significant weight gain (>10 kg in 20% of patients) through metabolic and fluid balance changes.

    Conclusions:

    • Medication choice significantly influences weight gain risk in affective disorder treatment.
    • Dietary and behavioral interventions are key for managing weight gain.
    • Adjunctive pharmacotherapies may be considered for severe cases.