New research suggests that weight gained in the first 12 weeks of antipsychotic treatment is the biggest driver of long-term obesity in psychosis.
[read the full story...]Can we predict and prevent weight gain in early psychosis?
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Metformin reduces weight gain in young people taking antipsychotics
Large pragmatic trial found metformin plus lifestyle intervention reduced weight gain in young people with bipolar disorder taking antipsychotics. Effect significant but modest at 6 and 24 months.
[read the full story...]Rapid weight gain after SMI diagnosis, but why so few referrals for support?
A 15-year analysis of UK primary care records showed steep and sustained weight gain after an SMI diagnosis, especially among younger adults and people prescribed antipsychotic medication. Yet very few received referrals for weight-management support, raising important questions about practice and policy.
[read the full story...]Should you start metformin whenever you start antipsychotics?
Guidelines say metformin can help prevent weight gain from antipsychotics like olanzapine, but this large UK study shows it’s rarely prescribed. What’s stopping us?
[read the full story...]Antipsychotics and metabolic function in people with schizophrenia
Peter Haddad and Sami Ouanes review a network meta-analysis of the impact of antipsychotic drugs on metabolic function in people with schizophrenia.
[read the full story...]Lifestyle training for schizophrenia: STEPWISE fails to make a difference
Ben Janaway writes his debut elf blog on the STEPWISE RCT which is out today in the British Journal of Psychiatry: Structured lifestyle education for people with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder and first-episode psychosis.
[read the full story...]What impact are psychotropic drugs having on our physical health?
John Baker summarises the findings of a recent review of people with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression. The study looks at the adverse effects on physical health of psychotropic drugs (antipsychotics, antidepressants and mood stabilisers).
[read the full story...]Psychosis and schizophrenia in adults: updated NICE guidance for 2014
While the organisation’s name may change frequently, currently National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), its role remains constant – to provide clear published guidance on the role of treatment options within the NHS. The publication of new NICE guidance represents a significant event as clinical recommendations shape the nature of provided care nationally [read the full story…]
Non-pharmacological interventions can help prevent and reduce weight gain in people who take antipsychotics
The reduced life expectancy (15-20 years less) often faced by many people with schizophrenia is frequently a result of cardiovascular disease. Lifestyle choices (smoking, lack of exercise and poor diet) can increase the risk of these diseases, but people who take antipsychotic drugs often have the additional problem of weight gain that is caused by [read the full story…]
People with learning disabilities on atypical antipsychotics can gain 10% of initial body weight over course of therapy
Atypical antipsychotic medications, sometimes described as second generation (for example clozapine, risperidone) have been associated with a number of side effects amongst which is weight gain. The authors of this review point out that such weight gain can be significant in people with learning disabilities using such medications. Previous studies have shown that majority of people [read the full story…]