Can Seroquel cause a high. What are the potential side effects of misusing quetiapine. How to use Seroquel responsibly. What are the risks associated with Seroquel abuse.

What is Seroquel and How Does it Work?

Seroquel, known generically as quetiapine, is a prescription medication classified as an atypical antipsychotic. Available in both immediate-release and extended-release formulations (Seroquel XR), it’s typically administered as an oral tablet. This drug functions by altering brain chemistry, specifically by modulating the release of serotonin and dopamine.

How does Seroquel affect the brain? It targets neurotransmitters to help alleviate symptoms associated with various mental health disorders. By influencing these chemical messengers, Seroquel can help stabilize mood, reduce hallucinations, and improve cognitive function in individuals with conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression.

Therapeutic Uses of Seroquel

Healthcare providers prescribe Seroquel for several mental health conditions:

• Schizophrenia
• Bipolar disorder
• Major depressive disorder (often as an adjunct to antidepressants)

When used as directed, Seroquel can offer significant benefits to patients, including:

1. Prevention of mood swings
2. Reduction in hallucinations
3. Improved concentration
4. Increased self-confidence
5. Management of depressive or manic episodes

The Potential for Seroquel Abuse: Can It Really Get You High?

While Seroquel is designed for therapeutic use, some individuals misuse it in an attempt to achieve a euphoric state. Can Seroquel actually cause a high? When misused, particularly in high doses or through non-prescribed methods of administration, Seroquel can indeed produce intense and potentially dangerous psychoactive effects.

Why do some people abuse Seroquel? The reasons vary, but common motivations include:

• Seeking mood enhancement
• Attempting to increase pleasure sensations
• Trying to reduce anxiety

How does Seroquel abuse differ from prescribed use? When misused, individuals may take higher doses than prescribed, combine it with other substances, or alter the method of ingestion (such as crushing and snorting the tablets). These practices significantly increase the risk of adverse effects and potential for addiction.

The Dangers of Seroquel Misuse

Abusing Seroquel can lead to a range of serious consequences:

1. Overdose risk: Symptoms may include extreme drowsiness, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, and fainting
2. Increased addiction potential: Especially when combined with other substances
3. Heightened side effects: Misuse can exacerbate the drug’s already significant side effect profile
4. Rapid onset of effects: When snorted or injected, Seroquel enters the bloodstream quickly, intensifying the high but also increasing overdose risk

Side Effects and Risks Associated with Seroquel Use

Even when taken as prescribed, Seroquel can produce a range of side effects. It’s crucial for patients and healthcare providers to weigh these potential risks against the therapeutic benefits.

Common Side Effects of Seroquel

What are the most frequently reported side effects of Seroquel? Users may experience:

• Dry mouth
• Drowsiness
• Constipation
• Stomach discomfort
• Increased appetite and weight gain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sore throat
• Rapid heartbeat
• Weakness
• Movement difficulties

Long-term Risks and Serious Complications

Beyond the immediate side effects, Seroquel use may be associated with more severe long-term risks:

1. Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
2. Elevated cholesterol levels
3. Increased blood sugar and risk of diabetes
4. Decreased white blood cell count
5. Cataract formation
6. Seizures
7. Thyroid hormone imbalances
8. Metabolic changes
9. Increased stroke risk in elderly patients with dementia
10. Allergic reactions
11. Persistent tremors

Responsible Use and Safety Precautions for Seroquel

How can patients use Seroquel safely and responsibly? Adhering to prescribed dosages and following medical advice is crucial. Additionally, users should be aware of potential drug interactions and lifestyle factors that may affect Seroquel’s efficacy and safety.

Drug Interactions to Watch For

Which medications can interact dangerously with Seroquel? Patients should exercise caution and consult their healthcare provider when combining Seroquel with:

• Anti-arrhythmic drugs
• Certain antibiotics
• Other antipsychotic medications
• Alcohol
• Methadone
• Benzodiazepines
• Muscle relaxants
• Specific pain medications
• Antihistamines
• Sedatives

Why are these interactions concerning? Combining Seroquel with these substances can potentially intensify side effects or lead to dangerous health complications.

Recognizing and Addressing Seroquel Addiction

Despite its therapeutic benefits, Seroquel carries a risk of addiction, particularly when misused. How can one recognize signs of Seroquel dependence? Warning signs may include:

• Taking higher doses than prescribed
• Using Seroquel without a prescription
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when stopping use
• Neglecting responsibilities due to drug use
• Continuing use despite negative consequences

Treatment Options for Seroquel Addiction

What steps can be taken if Seroquel addiction is suspected? Professional intervention is often necessary, which may include:

1. Medical detoxification to safely manage withdrawal symptoms
2. Residential addiction treatment programs
3. Cognitive-behavioral therapy to address underlying issues
4. Support groups and ongoing counseling

Why is professional help important for Seroquel withdrawal? The process can be dangerous and uncomfortable, requiring medical supervision to ensure safety and increase the chances of successful recovery.

The Importance of Medication Management and Mental Health Care

Proper medication management is crucial for individuals prescribed Seroquel. How can patients ensure they’re using the medication safely and effectively?

• Regular check-ins with healthcare providers
• Honest communication about side effects and concerns
• Adherence to prescribed dosages and schedules
• Avoidance of substance use that could interact with Seroquel
• Participation in complementary therapies as recommended

Holistic Approaches to Mental Health Treatment

While medication can be a crucial component of mental health treatment, what other strategies can support overall well-being?

1. Psychotherapy (e.g., cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy)
2. Lifestyle modifications (regular exercise, healthy diet, stress management)
3. Mindfulness and meditation practices
4. Social support networks
5. Occupational therapy and vocational support

Navigating the Healthcare System: Advocacy and Education

Empowering patients with knowledge about their medication and treatment options is essential. How can individuals become better advocates for their own mental health care?

• Researching their conditions and treatment options
• Asking questions during medical appointments
• Seeking second opinions when necessary
• Joining support groups or patient advocacy organizations
• Staying informed about new developments in mental health treatment

The Role of Healthcare Providers in Patient Education

What responsibilities do healthcare providers have in educating patients about Seroquel and other psychiatric medications?

1. Providing clear information about benefits and risks
2. Discussing potential side effects and how to manage them
3. Offering guidance on proper use and storage of medication
4. Addressing concerns about addiction potential
5. Collaborating with patients to create comprehensive treatment plans

By fostering open communication and shared decision-making, healthcare providers can help ensure that patients receive the most appropriate and effective treatment for their individual needs.

Future Directions in Antipsychotic Medication Research

As our understanding of mental health disorders evolves, so too does the landscape of psychiatric medications. What advancements are researchers exploring in the field of antipsychotic drugs?

• Development of medications with fewer side effects
• Exploration of novel drug targets in the brain
• Investigation of personalized medicine approaches based on genetic profiles
• Research into alternative delivery methods for improved efficacy and compliance
• Studies on long-term outcomes and quality of life for patients on antipsychotics

The Promise of Integrated Treatment Approaches

How might future mental health care incorporate medications like Seroquel into more holistic treatment paradigms?

1. Combining pharmacological interventions with advanced psychotherapies
2. Integrating digital health technologies for better monitoring and support
3. Exploring the potential of complementary and alternative medicine in conjunction with traditional treatments
4. Developing comprehensive care models that address both mental and physical health
5. Investigating the role of lifestyle factors and environmental influences on treatment outcomes

As research progresses, the goal remains to provide safer, more effective treatments that improve the lives of individuals living with mental health disorders while minimizing the risks associated with medication use and potential misuse.

Can Seroquel Get You High?

What Is Seroquel?

Seroquel is the brand name of the prescription drug quetiapine. This drug is available in brand-name and generic versions and has immediate-release and extended-release options. The brand name for the extended-release option is Seroquel XR. Both options usually come in the form of an oral tablet.

When an individual takes this atypical antipsychotic, the chemical activity in their brain is altered. Seroquel releases serotonin and dopamine in the brain, which improves symptoms in individuals with various mental health disorders.

Why People Use Seroquel

Doctors commonly prescribe Seroquel to treat or ease the symptoms of various mental health disorders including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression. It may be used in combination with therapy and may be prescribed in addition to another medication, like an antidepressant. When used correctly, Seroquel may prevent mood swings, decrease hallucinations (if applicable), improve concentration, increase confidence, and treat depressive or manic episodes. The Seroquel dosage depends on various factors like the specific mental health condition being treated, the age of the individual being treated, and others. 

Does Seroquel Get You High?

If Seroquel is misused, it can cause someone to feel an intense and potentially dangerous high. Abusing Seroquel to improve mood, increase pleasure, or reduce anxiety may result in unpleasant or even fatal side effects. When misused, Seroquel overdoses are possible and may include symptoms like drowsiness/sleepiness, increased heartbeat, dizziness, and fainting.

This prescription drug comes with a high risk of addiction, especially when combined with other medications and drugs. Some individuals who misuse Seroquel may mix it with cocaine, for example. Chances of addiction and dependence also increase when someone snorts or injects Seroquel instead of taking it as an oral tablet. When Seroquel is snorted, it enters the bloodstream more quickly, resulting it an intense high and can lead to a Seroquel overdose.

Side Effects of Seroquel

Seroquel, when misused, comes with complications. It’s still important to be careful when using Seroquel as prescribed, including the Seroquel dosage, while also considering the potential symptoms and risks that come with regular use.

Side effects of Seroquel may include:

• Dry mouth
• Drowsiness
• Constipation
• Stomach pain
• Increased appetite
• Weight gain
• nausea/vomiting
• Sore throat
• Rapid heartbeat
• Weakness
• Trouble moving

Not only can this prescription drug potentially cause undesirable symptoms, but it can also have long-lasting side effects.

Risks of Seroquel Use

Individual risks of taking Seroquel vary from person to person based on their mental health condition, their age, etc., however, some possible risks to consider include:

• Suicidal thoughts/actions

• Increased cholesterol

• High blood sugar

• Low white blood cell count

• Cataracts

• Seizures

• Changes in thyroid levels

• Metabolism changes

• Stroke

• Allergies

• Tremors

Although Seroquel does come with its possible dangers and risks, it’s usually harmless if used as prescribed and responsibly. If you experience any of the issues above while using Seroquel, it’s vital to talk to your doctor to discuss the best next steps.

Responsible Use of Seroquel

Seroquel can interact with other medications. For example, it shouldn’t be combined with anti-arrhythmic drugs, certain antibiotics, antipsychotic drugs, alcohol, or methadone. When mixed with specific drugs, the side effects may increase and become more intense. These drugs include benzodiazepines, muscle relaxants, certain pain medications, antihistamines, and sedatives.

If addiction occurs, residential addiction treatment, like the one we offer at Silver Pines, is likely the best solution. . Our residential addiction treatment program begins with detoxing, allowing individuals to experience the effects in Seroquel withdrawal in a comfortable and healthy environment. Due to the dangers of Seroquel withdrawal, it’s important to speak with your doctor if you’re thinking of stopping the drug.

If you have any questions about the effects of Seroquel and other prescription drugs and if you need to enter a drug detox program, like the one we offer at Silver Pines, call us today at 267. 719.8689. 

Sources

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/quetiapine-oral-tablet#alternatives

https://www.everydayhealth.com/drugs/quetiapine

The Dangers Of Snorting Seroquel (Insufflation)

Quetiapine Misuse and Abuse: Is it an Atypical Paradigm of Drug Seeking Behavior?

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whether they help, treat or relieve symptoms, cause addiction, gain weight

Checking myths

11/14/22

Daniil Davydov

medical journalist

Author profile

In 2017, 3.4% of the world’s population suffered from depression, i. e. 264 million people.

At the same time, the cures for this disease are surrounded by many myths. Antidepressants are accused of ineffectiveness and severe side effects, but often the problem is not with the drugs themselves, but with their misuse.

We collected 8 myths about antidepressants and found out how close they are to the truth.

Go see a doctor

Our articles are written with love for evidence-based medicine. We refer to authoritative sources and go to doctors with a good reputation for comments. But remember: the responsibility for your health lies with you and your doctor. We don’t write prescriptions, we give recommendations. Relying on our point of view or not is up to you.

Myth 1

Antidepressants almost never help

Most likely, this myth arose due to the fact that antidepressants do not work in all patients – so even some doctors and scientists doubt their effectiveness. However, antidepressants cannot be called ineffective, there are just important nuances in the use of these drugs.

Antidepressants are a class of drugs that normalize the level of neurotransmitters, that is, chemicals that help nerve cells in the brain exchange information.

What are Antidepressants – International Drug Database RxLis

What Medications Help with Clinical Depression in Adults – International Primer for Physicians UpToDate

How Antidepressants Help Pain – Mayo Clinic Bulletin

All antidepressants used to treat depression in adults , work – The Lancet

Who Antidepressants Help and Who Don’t – Clinical Guidelines for British PhysiciansPDF, 141 KB

These medicines help people whose problems are due to a deficiency or excess of neurotransmitters. Antidepressants reduce symptoms of depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and bipolar affective disorder.

There is evidence that antidepressants are effective for chronic pain. Antidepressants increase the amount of neurotransmitters in the spinal cord, which reduces pain signals.

Most specialists have no doubts that antidepressants work. For example, according to the British Royal College of Psychiatry, 50-65% of people with depression who take antidepressants feel better – compared with 25-30% of those who take a placebo.

However, there are situations where the benefit of antidepressants is questionable. For example, antidepressants are good for treating moderate to severe depression, but do not work well for people with mild depression – psychotherapy is more suitable for them.

And there are situations when these medicines were prescribed by mistake. Then antidepressants really won’t help.

When antidepressants don’t help

Sergey Divisenko

psychotherapist

There are three cases when antidepressants most often cause problems.

The antidepressant didn’t work because the doctor prescribed the wrong dose. The minimum doses of these drugs do not help in half of the cases. Then competent doctors increase the doses to those recommended in clinical guidelines, while illiterate ones refuse them.

Sometimes, in order for antidepressants to work, they need to be augmented—i.e., enhanced—with other classes of drugs. For example, second-generation antipsychotics, or normothymics, that is, drugs that stabilize mood. If this is not done, the person taking antidepressants will not feel relief.

The antidepressant didn’t work because the doctor misdiagnosed and was trying to treat a condition that these drugs don’t work for. To help a person, one had to either use other drugs or use non-drug methods of treatment: for example, psychotherapy, transcranial stimulation, or electroconvulsive therapy.

For example, in bipolar disorder, symptoms can be very similar to depression or anxiety. But with bipolar disorder, antidepressants help only if they are used together with other drugs – mood stabilizers. By themselves, they will either work for a short time, or they will not work, or they can cause a phase inversion – that is, a person will switch from a depressive phase to a manic one.

The patient was not helped by a particular antidepressant, but another might. Antidepressants differ in the principle of action – on this basis they are divided into classes. It happens that one antidepressant does not work, but another from the same or another class helps. If the treatment does not work, you should not stop drug therapy, but continue to look for a drug that will help this particular patient.

Myth 2

Antidepressants only relieve symptoms, but do not eliminate the cause of the disorder

In most cases, this is not a myth. However, in some situations, antidepressants act on the cause of the disorder.

Depression is a heterogeneous disease. Experts identify a different number of subtypes of depression – from 4 to 12. But for our purposes, depression can be divided into two large subtypes.

American Criteria for Depressive Disorders – A Handbook for Psychiatrists DSM-5PDF, 32 MB

Understanding Depression – An International Primer for Physicians UpToDate

illness, not associated with depression. Disorders that can be attributed to this group are more common.

If these causes affect a person long enough and he does not understand how to deal with them, depression may develop. In this situation, antidepressants act as drugs that alleviate the symptoms of the disease. To influence the cause of the problem, psychotherapy is needed.

Depression provoked by internal causes. Approximately 7% of people with depression have the correct way of thinking, there are no internal conflicts and injuries, and there are no serious illnesses. In this situation, the cause of depression is the lack of neurotransmitters: serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine in the synapses of brain nerve cells. In such people, the antidepressant acts precisely on the cause of the disease, that is, it corrects the production of serotonin in neuronal synapses.

Myth 3

As soon as it gets better, you can stop taking the antidepressant

This is also not entirely a myth – it would be more correct to call it a belief that is true only for some, but not for all patients with depression.

It is generally advised to continue taking antidepressants for at least six months after remission. If the duration of the disease is short, that is, the person was ill for about two weeks, then for the onset of remission, one or two months usually need to take medication. If the duration of the disease is long, from several months or years, then more time is required for the onset of remission. It’s impossible to say exactly how much: different people with depression have different recovery times.

Some people have recurrent depression. In this case, the period during which you need to take the medicine depends on how many bouts of depression have already been during your life. If more than three, it is recommended to take antidepressants for several years or for life.

Myth 4

Antidepressants cause addiction

Perhaps the roots of this myth are that some people need to take depression medication for life. And at the beginning of treatment, some patients have to increase the dose. But in fact, antidepressants do not cause either true physical or drug dependence.

True physical dependence on a drug is a situation where a person becomes so addicted to a drug that when it is withdrawn, the symptoms of the disease sharply increase. People who are dependent on the drug have to increase the dosage, otherwise the drug stops helping.

What is True Drug Addiction—Bulletin of the National Institute for the Study of Drug AbusePDF, 7 MB

What is Drug Addiction—Bulletin of the American Psychiatric Association

Drug dependence may include physical dependence on a drug. But this addiction has a unique feature. Dependence can also develop in a healthy person who used the drug not to recover, but to enjoy it. But when he tries to quit the drug, he still experiences physical suffering, which is called the withdrawal syndrome. As a result, a person is forced to look for a new dose of a drug.

Although a person who takes antidepressants to treat depression gets better, the drugs themselves are neither pleasurable nor addictive. Taking them as drugs is useless.

Of all the drugs that are used in psychiatry, true physical dependence can only be caused by psychostimulants that activate mental activity and anti-anxiety, that is, benzodiazepine tranquilizers. Antidepressants are not included in this list, because there is no need to increase the dosage of correctly selected drugs from this group.

However, some people who stop taking antidepressants early sometimes experience withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, hand tremors, and some feel “shocks” in the head, similar to the sensations of an electric shock. Depressive symptoms return to patients who need to take the medicine for a very long time.

Antidepressants are sometimes abused, but they cannot cause addiction – Journal of Modern Psychiatry

To avoid unpleasant consequences, stop taking antidepressants only if the attending physician says that they are no longer needed. But even in this situation, it is necessary to cancel antidepressants slowly, that is, gradually reducing the dose. This will help avoid unpleasant side effects.

Myth 5

A person on antidepressants becomes lethargic and loses interest in life

This popular myth is based on real but outdated data.

These mental changes are seen in patients taking first-generation tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline. It has a sedative, that is, a sedative effect. A person who takes high doses of amitriptyline can indeed become sleepy and indifferent to the outside world.

Amitriptyline – Sedative – Drugs.com International Drug Database

SSRIs do not sedate – Drugs.com International Drug Database

Current second-generation antidepressants that are recommended to start treatment with, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs almost never cause drowsiness and apathy.

On the contrary, in most people with depression they return interest in life.

Sometimes SSRIs do cause drowsiness, but this has not yet been proven

Sergey Divisenko

psychotherapist

It is believed that in rare cases, modern antidepressants can provoke SSRI-induced apathy. But this condition is extremely rare.

And even then psychiatrists still doubt that the cause is precisely in the drugs, and not in the patient’s condition. After all, some people during the time of taking antidepressants may develop other adverse mental states in which apathy occurs: for example, schizotypal disorder, which was not noticed before.

Myth 6

Antidepressants have many side effects

This is partly true: both SSRIs and antidepressants from other groups have side effects. But it is quite possible to deal with them.

At the beginning of treatment, when people first start taking antidepressants, many complain of increased anxiety, dry mouth, nausea, and trouble sleeping. But after a few days or weeks after the start of the course of treatment, these symptoms usually disappear. If the side effects do not stop, it makes sense to consult a doctor – he will replace the antidepressant.

Dealing with antidepressant side effects – tips from the Mayo Clinic staff

Here’s what to do before the side effects go away:

1. Take antidepressants with meals, unless the instructions say otherwise, so the antidepressant will be less annoying stomach;
2. put a bottle of clean water on the work table – if your mouth is dry, you can take a sip. Unsweetened lollipops and chewing gum also help with dry mouth;
3. take a walk for at least half an hour before going to bed to make it easier to fall asleep. If you can’t sleep at all, you can ask your doctor to pick up sleeping pills.

The second most common side effect is an increase in anxiety at the start of antidepressant use. To avoid this problem, psychiatrists resort to two effective methods:

1. titrate the dose – that is, start with the minimum dose of the antidepressant and then gradually increase it;
2. at the beginning of the reception, sedatives – tranquilizers are prescribed together with the antidepressant.

The third common side effect of SSRIs, especially sertraline, known as Zoloft, and escitalopram, better known as Cipralex, is decreased libido. Approximately 20-30% of people taking antidepressants from this group experience a decrease in sexual desire to one degree or another. At the same time, it is difficult to say how much the drugs are to blame, because approximately 35-50% of people with depression have already experienced sexual dysfunction.

Many people with depression experience sexual dysfunction before starting antidepressants – Harvard Medical School Bulletin

Switching to another antidepressant usually helps, but many people prefer to wait until the medication can be stopped. In some cases, psychiatrists prescribe antidepressants from other groups in addition to the libido-lowering antidepressant. Sometimes it helps to regain interest in sex.

Myth 7

Weight gain due to antidepressants

This is not a myth, but a half-truth. There are both antidepressants that contribute to weight gain, and those that do not have a similar effect.

The most common complaint about weight gain during treatment is people taking the tetracyclic antidepressant mirtazapine, which actually increases appetite. Another weight gaining antidepressant is paroxetine, better known by the trade name Paxil. But “Zoloft” and “Cipralex” do not contribute to weight gain.

If a patient feels that an antidepressant is causing them to overeat, it is wise to consult a doctor and discuss a change of drug.

Myth 8

Antidepressants are expensive

True, but not for all patients. Most people can cure depression and not go broke.

Antidepressants from different groups vary greatly in price. There are both very expensive drugs and relatively low-cost drugs among them. At the same time, both of them work equally well. However, there are situations when a cheap antidepressant cannot be dispensed with.

On the left – inexpensive “Zoloft” for 327 R, a drug based on sertraline, on the right – the most expensive antidepressant “Ixel” based on milnacipran for 2453 R

For example, there is a good antidepressant venlafaxine. The maximum dose of venlafaxine can reach up to 375 mg per day. If these are inexpensive tablets of a domestic manufacturer, then a course of treatment for a month costs about 2000 R. But sometimes inexpensive tablets are not very well tolerated: they cause headache, nausea, sweating, tachycardia, that is, rapid heartbeat. In such cases, you need to switch to a prolonged form of venlafaxine – “Venlafaxine Retard”, or “Velaxin XR”. But this drug is more expensive: a course of treatment will cost about 5000 R per month.

The cost of a course of treatment with another good drug, Ixel, based on milnacipran, which is tolerated with minimal side effects, can reach up to 12,500 R. But, unfortunately, there is nothing to replace it, because this medicine does not yet have generics.

For comparison: on the left is a drug based on venlafaxine with immediate release for 443 R, on the right – with a delayed release in the same dosage for 1756 R. The price varies very much

Side effects of antipsychotics and excess weight

Author Masha Pushkin, a 914 viewer of views 07/07/2017 Updated 07.03.2023

Content

neuroleptics and excess weight – a problem that excites many. As you know, antipsychotics affect weight gain. According to statistics, more than 80% of people with severe mental disorders are overweight. A patient taking olonzapine gains an average of 2.3 kg per month, clozapine – 1.7 kg, quetiapine – 1.8 kg, zotepine – 2.3 kg.

Weight gain with antipsychotics

Weight gain is a very common side effect of many antipsychotics, especially some second-generation (newer) drugs.

This may be due to the fact that antipsychotics increase appetite, so you want to eat more than usual. They can also make you less active and feel tired, so you move less and burn fewer calories.

If you gain a lot of weight, it can increase your risk of developing diabetes and other health problems.

Changes in weight can negatively affect mood and self-esteem.

What can be done to keep from getting fat?

If the problem becomes significant, it should be discussed with your psychiatrist and possibly switched to another antipsychotic. You should also eat a healthy diet and increase your level of physical activity.

Weight gain often causes patients to resist taking pills, and it also creates additional psychological or physiological problems that then have to be sorted out. Weight gain due to psychotropic drugs is not the only reason why people with mental disorders gain weight, but let’s look at this problem.

What is considered overweight?

In clinical practice, to assess body weight, physicians are usually guided by the concept of body mass index (BMI), which was developed by the Belgian sociologist and statistician Adolphe Quetelet back in 1869. This is a value that allows you to assess the degree of correspondence between a person’s mass and his height, and thereby indirectly assess whether the mass is insufficient, normal or excessive.

Body mass index is calculated by the formula: body weight / height in meters squared (kg/m²).

BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered normal, BMI between 25 and 29.9 indicates overweight, BMI between 30 and 39.9 indicates obesity of I and II degrees, BMI above 40 indicates morbid obesity, that is, condition of the body that interferes with the normal functioning of the body.

The interpretation of BMI indicators recommended by the World Health Organization does not take into account the sex and age of the person, and this is a flaw in the system, but the US Department of Health, for example, collects statistics on anthropometric data on BMI. These data show that BMI is generally higher in men than in women. In addition, BMI is higher in middle-aged people than in young and old people.

Which drugs make you gain weight. Whether only from neuroleptics?

There are a number of studies that have examined the relationship between weight gain and the use of certain groups of drugs. Metabolic disorders are most often associated with the use of antipsychotics.

A patient taking olonzapine averages 2.3 kg per month, clozapine 1.7 kg, quetiapine 1.8 kg, zotepine 2.3 kg. Changes in weight during the course of the studies were also observed in those taking risperidone (1.0 kg per month) and ziprasidone (0.8 kg per month).

Also gaining weight are patients taking antidepressants and lithium, which is used in the treatment of mood disorders, in particular the manic and hypomanic phases of bipolar disorder, as well as in the prevention of its exacerbations and in the treatment of severe and resistant depression. Here, research data diverge, but if you measure the average values, then in the course of observations it turned out that people on antidepressants can add from 0.57 to 1.37 kg per month. With regard to lithium, 20% of patients on long-term treatment with this drug gain more than 10 kg of weight.

What is it about these medicines that causes weight gain?

There is no unequivocal opinion on this issue among scientists. However, this issue is being studied. Scientists at the National Institute of Mental Health in 2007 conducted an experiment on mice, during which they found that neuroleptics block the brain receptors responsible for controlling appetite. Another study, conducted already in 2012 by the staff of the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, suggests that the problem of weight gain when taking antipsychotics is associated with a genetic predisposition in certain patients to gain excess weight in principle.

Are there drugs that don’t make you fat?

Yes, there certainly are.