Cited by 490Schizophrenia research and treatmentPharmacology and Obesity TreatmentEating Disorders and Behaviors

Almost All Antipsychotics Result in Weight Gain: A Meta-Analysis

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Bak, Maarten, Fransen, Annemarie, Janssen, Jouke, van Os, Jim, Drukker, Marjan·2014·PLoS ONE

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Antipsychotics (AP) induce weight gain. However, reviews and meta-analyses generally are restricted to second generation antipsychotics (SGA) and do not stratify for duration of AP use. It is hypothesised that patients gain more weight if duration of AP use is longer. METHOD: A meta-analysis was conducted of clinical trials of AP that reported weight change. Outcome measures were body weight change, change in BMI and clinically relevant weight change (7% weight gain or loss). Duration of AP-use was stratified as follows: ≤6 weeks, 6-16 weeks, 16-38 weeks and >38 weeks. Forest plots stratified by AP as well as by duration of use were generated and results were summarised in figures. RESULTS: 307 articles met inclusion criteria. The majority were AP switch studies. Almost all AP showed a degree of weight gain after prolonged use, except for amisulpride, aripiprazole and ziprasidone, for which prolonged exposure resulted in negligible weight change. The level of weight gain per AP varied from discrete to severe. Contrary to expectations, switch of AP did not result in weight loss for amisulpride, aripiprazole or ziprasidone. In AP-naive patients, weight gain was much more pronounced for all AP. CONCLUSION: Given prolonged exposure, virtually all AP are associated with weight gain. The rational of switching AP to achieve weight reduction may be overrated. In AP-naive patients, weight gain is more pronounced.

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  1. [163]Chue P (2005) Study of long-term quetiapine treatment. The journal of applied research 5: 246– 252.

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Authors
Bak, M., Fransen, A., Janssen, J., van Os, J., & Drukker, M.
Affiliations
  • Maastricht University Medical Centre (NL)
  • Máxima Medisch Centrum (NL)
Corresponding author
Bak, Maarten
Venue
PLoS ONE
Published
2014-04-24
Volume
9
Issue
4
Pages
e94112
ISSN
1932-6203 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2089001223
Cited by
490
References
362
Citations by year
2026: 17 · 2025: 31 · 2024: 39 · 2023: 42 · 2022: 47 · 2021: 48 · 2020: 45 · 2019: 55 · 2018: 50 · 2017: 43 · 2016: 39 · 2015: 28 · 2014: 5
FWCI
5.28
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • PLoS ONE (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, other-oa)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research Publications (Maastricht University) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • NORA - Norwegian Open Research Archives (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • Research Publications (Maastricht University) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Schizophrenia research and treatment
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Pharmacology and Obesity Treatment
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Eating Disorders and Behaviors
Keywords
antipsychotic drugs, weight gain, body mass index, antipsychotic switching, amisulpride, aripiprazole, ziprasidone, antipsychotic-naive patients, weight loss
MeSH terms
Bipolar Disorder, Humans, Schizophrenia, Antipsychotic Agents, Weight Gain, Body Mass Index, Overweight

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