Weight gain and antipsycotics

Abstract

Since the antipsychotics introduction in the market their use have been related to weight gain. The new generation antipsychotics brought significant improvement in schizophrenia treatment in terms of negative, depressive, and cognitive symptoms as well in safety and tolerability. However, the weight gain remains as a frequent adverse event. The authors present a brief review of the literature about antipsychotic-related weight gain and possible mechanism of action. They also describe cognitive-behavioral and pharmacological strategies to manage weight gain during the treatment with antipsychotic medication.