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Scientists throw light on drug-induced weight gain
May 15, 2003Researchers at the University of Sheffield have identified two genes that could prevent millions of patients from gaining weight as a result of their medication. Their work is being presented at the American Psychiatric Association's annual meeting in San Francisco on Tuesday May 20th.
Certain medicines, such as steroids, antipsychotic drugs (which treat schizophrenia and other psychiatric problems) and some drugs that relieve migraine have the side effect of causing some patients to gain weight. Typical weight gain for some of the anti-psychotic drugs is 2-5kg, but gains of up to 20kg are not uncommon. This can harm patients' long term health and can encourage some people to stop taking their medication altogether.
The study, led by Professor Gavin Reynolds and his team at the University of Sheffield, in collaboration with psychiatrists in Nanjing, China, focused on whether a genetic differences is responsible for patients gaining weight when taking anti-psychotic drugs. They found that differences in the gene that produces leptin and a gene called 5-HT2C receptor affect weight gain in patients. Leptin and 5-HT2C receptor have an important role in controlling appetite and fat storage. Patients with certain variations of the two genes are twice as likely to suffer from drug induced weight gain as other patients.
Professor Reynolds, of the University's Department of Biomedical Sciences explains, "Although we only looked at anti-psychotic drugs, it is likely that these gene variations are a factor in most drug related weight gain. Our research could lead to a test that will determine a patient's susceptibility to weight gain, allowing the doctor to prescribe alternative medication if necessary.
"Patients who suffer from drug induced weight gain can't win. If they stop taking their medication then they will become ill again, but if they continue with the drugs then they run risk of diabetes, heart disease and all of the other health problems associated with obesity."
Sheffield, University of
Professor Reynolds, of the University's Department of Biomedical Sciences explains, "Although we only looked at anti-psychotic drugs, it is likely that these gene variations are a factor in most drug related weight gain. Our research could lead to a test that will determine a patient's susceptibility to weight gain, allowing the doctor to prescribe alternative medication if necessary.
"Patients who suffer from drug induced weight gain can't win. If they stop taking their medication then they will become ill again, but if they continue with the drugs then they run risk of diabetes, heart disease and all of the other health problems associated with obesity."
Sheffield, University of
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