CONCLUSIONS:
Metformin is effective in reducing weight in South Asian patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who had increased their body by more than 10% after treatment with atypical antipsychotics.
Source:
VA de Silva, M Dayabandara, H Wijesundara, T Henegama, H Gunewardena, C Suraweera and R Hanwella,
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) , Dec 2015
Antipsychotic-induced weight gain causes serious health problems. We investigated the efficacy and safety of metformin in treating antipsychotic-induced weight gain in South Asian patients.Sixty six adult patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder treated, with atypical antipsychotics, and who had increased by more than 10% their pre treatment body weight, were randomly assigned to receive metformin or placebo in a double-blind study. Patients received usual treatment and metformin 500 mg or placebo twice daily for 24 weeks. The primary outcome measure was change in body weight from baseline to week 24. Linear mixed models were used in the analysis.Mean change in body weight in the metformin group was -1.56 kg (95% CI=-3.06 to -0.05) and 1.0 kg (95% CI=0.03-1.97) in the placebo group. Between-group difference was 2.56 kg. At 24 weeks the between-group difference showed significant time-by-treatment interaction (F=3.23, p=0.004). Between-group difference in BMI showed significant time-by-treatment interaction (F=3.41 p=0.03). There was no significant difference in waist-hip ratio or fasting blood sugar.Metformin is effective in reducing weight in South Asian patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who had increased their body by more than 10% after treatment with atypical antipsychotics.
More information on Metformin:
Metformin, marketed under the trade name Glucophage among others, is the first-line medication for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, particularly in people who are overweight. It is also used in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome. Limited evidence suggests metformin may prevent the cardiovascular disease and cancer complications of diabetes. It is not associated with weight gain. It is taken by mouth. Metformin is generally well tolerated. Common side effects include diarrhea, nausea and ...
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I’m not southeast Asian but it doesn’t do anything for me!
Gonna see if I can sweet talk the doc into some…
It actually helps a little bit. Not gonna lie, but you have to remember to take it which is pain