Metformin for treatment of antipsychotic-induced weight gain: a randomized, placebo-controlled study.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To evaluate the efficacy of metformin for treatment of antipsychotic-induced weight gain.

METHODS:

Seventy-two patients with first-episode schizophrenia who gained more than 7% of their predrug weight were randomly assigned to receive 1000 mg/d of metformin or placebo in addition to their ongoing treatment for 12 weeks using a double-blind study design. The primary outcome was change in body weight. The secondary outcomes included changes in body mass index, fasting glucose and insulin, and insulin resistance index.

RESULTS:

Of the 72 patients who were randomly assigned, 66 (91.6%) completed treatments. The body weight, body mass index, fasting insulin and insulin resistance index decreased significantly in the metformin group, but increased in the placebo group during the 12-week follow-up period. Significantly more patients in the metformin group lost their baseline weight by more than 7%, which was the cutoff for clinically meaningful weight loss. Metformin was tolerated well by majority patients.

CONCLUSION:

Metformin was effective and safe in attenuating antipsychotic-induced weight gain and insulin resistance in first-episode schizophrenia patients. Patients displayed good adherence to metformin.

• Authors: Man Wang, Jian-hua Tong, Gang Zhu, Guang-ming Liang, Hong-fei Yan, Xiu-zhen Wang
• Journal: Schizophrenia research (Schizophr Res) Vol. 138 Issue 1 Pg. 54-7 (Jun 2012) ISSN: 1573-2509 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 22398127 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Antipsychotic Agents
• Blood Glucose
• Hypoglycemic Agents
• Metformin

Topics

• Adult
• Antipsychotic Agents (adverse effects)
• Blood Glucose (drug effects)
• Body Mass Index
• Body Weight (drug effects)
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Humans
• Hypoglycemic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Insulin Resistance
• Male
• Metformin (therapeutic use)
• Overweight (chemically induced, drug therapy)
• Schizophrenia (drug therapy)
• Weight Gain (drug effects)