BMC Psychiatry (Sep 2006)

Excessive weight gain after remission of depression in a schizophrenic patient treated with risperidone: case report

  • Psarros Constantin,
  • Kostoulas Constantin,
  • Masdrakis Vasilis,
  • Dikeos Dimitris G,
  • Papageorgiou Charalabos C,
  • Papadimitriou George N,
  • Theleritis Christos G,
  • Soldatos Constantin R

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-244X-6-37
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 6, no. 1
p. 37

Abstract

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Abstract Background The use of atypical antipsychotics in schizophrenic patients has been associated with a risk of weight gain. Similarly, recovery from depression is often followed by improved appetite, greater food intake and potential increase in weight. Case presentation A Caucasian 33-year-old schizophrenic female patient was being treated with 6 mg/day of risperidone and 15 mg/day of clorazepate. She developed depressive symptomatology and 40 mg/day of fluoxetine was gradually added to her treatment regimen for about 9 months. After the remission of depression, and the discontinuation of fluoxetine, she experienced an increase in appetite and subsequently excessive weight gain of 52 kg. Re-administration of fluoxetine did not reverse the situation. The patient developed diabetes mellitus, which was successfully controlled with metformin 1700 mg/day. The addition at first of orlistat 360 mg/day and later of topiramate 200 mg/day has helped her to lose a significant part of the weight gained (30 kg). Conclusion The case suggests a probable association between the remission of depressive symptomatology and weight gain in a schizophrenic patient.