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New Scientist, 8th March, carries a worrying article by Paula Caplan about the effects of certain drugs on levels of obesity.
Those in the firing line are psychiatric drugs such as antidepressants, mood stabilisers and antipsychotics. A third of patients taking one particular drug produced by Eli Lilly, are shown to gain at least 10 kilos over a year, and half of those at least 30 kilos (4.7 stone!)
It is uncertain what causes these gains, possibly changes to the metabolism, maybe interference with our control of energy intake. What’s more, the compounding effects of taking multiple drugs is even less well understood, yet evidence suggests there is an increase in the prescribing of combinations.
In America it is estimated that one in six people are taking at least one psychotropic drug. Could this be contributing to the obesity epidemic there?
Caplan also highlights the co-incidence of rising obesity in children and teenagers with a fivefold increase in prescriptions of antipsychotic drugs in those age groups, and calls for research into possible links between the two.
There is also concern, particularly in America, where there is a greater tendency to seek medication to relieve negative feelings, that patients may not be warned of the effects of such drugs on their weight. The patients may then learn to attribute their obesity to their psychological problems rather than to their treatment.
A word of warning. Do not stop taking your medication as a result of this blog. Please consult fully with your doctor before making any changes to your prescription.
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