MentalHealthDaily

Probiotics & Synbiotics for the Metabolic Side Effects of Psychiatric Medications: Are They Effective? (2024 Review)

Patients with severe mental illnesses (SMI), such as schizophrenia and chronic depression, often face the challenge of managing weight gain and metabolic complications, side effects commonly associated with antipsychotics and antidepressants. These medications are known to induce increased appetite and weight gain, leading to long-term metabolic syndromes. Recent studies have evaluated into the role of …

Top 10 Pharma Drugs & Medications That Cause Weight Gain (2012-2021)

by GLOOM

It is estimated that 40% of U.S. adults are obese – and this figure is projected to continue growing. One potential reason for weight gain and a possible catalyst for obesity is use of pharmaceutical drugs (i.e. medications). Medication-induced weight gain poses a significant challenge in healthcare, affecting both patient well-being and treatment adherence. Key …

Metformin Prevents Antipsychotic-Induced Weight Gain: A Saudi Study Finds

by GLOOM

Research suggests that metformin may reduce weight gain associated with antipsychotic medications. Key facts: Antipsychotics are linked to weight gain, especially clozapine and olanzapine. Metformin may counteract antipsychotic-induced weight gain through effects on insulin resistance and appetite. Study found metformin reduced mean weight gain on antipsychotics from 2.5 kg to -0.04 kg. Younger patients ages …

Fetzima (Levomilnacipran) & Weight Loss vs. Gain

by GLOOM

Fetzima (Levomilnacipran) is a medication prescribed for the treatment of major depressive disorder in adults. Although it is similar to the drug Savella (Milnacipran), Fetzima exhibits unique pharmacodynamics in that it functions as a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) with a 2-fold affinity for norepinephrine reuptake inhibition – relative to serotonin reuptake inhibition. In other words, …

Depakote Causes Weight Gain In Over 50% of Users?

by GLOOM

Depakote (divalproex sodium) is a medication regularly prescribed for the management of epilepsy, bipolar disorder, and migraine headaches. Other medical conditions for which Depakote is occasionally utilized as a complementary (i.e. adjunct) therapy include: AIDS, cancer, dopamine dysregulation syndrome (associated with Parkinson’s disease), schizophrenia. Most who are familiar with this drug understand that Depakote (divalproex …

Does Propranolol Cause Weight Gain?

by GLOOM

Propranolol, sometimes referred to as “Inderal” (brand name), is a non-cardioselective sympatholytic beta blocker that was first synthesized by British scientist James Black in 1964. As a non-selective beta blocker, propranolol prevents endogenous catecholamines (e.g. norepinephrine and epinephrine) from activating Beta-1 and Beta-2 adrenergic receptors within the CNS (central nervous system) and PNS (peripheral nervous …

Why Prednisone Causes Weight Gain (And What To Do About It)

by GLOOM

Prednisone is a synthetic pregnane corticosteroid that was first identified in 1950 by the American microbiologist Arthur Nobile, and thereafter, synthesized in 1955 by the Schering Corporation. As a synthetic derivative of cortisone, prednisone acts by mimicking the physiologic effects of cortisol, the chief endogenous hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex when the body is …