Psychoactive drugs and metabolic disorders

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this article is to promote a literature revision and an overview of evidence of the metabolic impacts of the use of psychotropic drugs on metabolic alterations. Methods: A descriptive review, including articles in English and Portuguese, was conducted in the Google Scholar and PubMed databases, using the following keywords: body weight, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome and antipsychotics, mood stabilizers and antidepressants on PubMed, and dyslipidemia, body weight , metabolic syndrome associated with antipsychotics, mood stabilizers and antidepressants on Google Scholar. Results: 46 articles were analyzed and 46 articles were included. The review revealed a large amount of evidence concerning body weight changes under psychotropic drugs use and the impact of antipsychotics on the main metabolic variables. However, controversies and scanty evidence regarding mood stabilizers in glycemic and dyslipidemic alterations, and especially about antidepressants in metabolic alterations, were noticed. Conclusions: It is concluded that the impact of psychotropic drugs on metabolic changes has great clinical relevance and is characterized as a challenge for modern psychopharmacology. These alterations, seen as possible side effects of such drugs, directly affect the patient's quality and life expectancy, therefore, deserving attention for success in psychiatric treatment and in the holistic health context.

Keywords

• psychotropics
• drug-related side effects and adverse reactions
• metabolic side effects of drugs and substances