The management of weight gain and obesity in patients with schizophrenia centers on behavioural interventions using caloric intake reduction, dietary restructuring, and moderate-intensity physical activity. The decision to switch antipsychotics to lower-liability medications should be individualized, and metformin may be considered for adjunctive therapy, given its favorable risk-benefit profile.

Opioid use disorder affects over 26 million individuals worldwide. There are currently three World Health Organization recommended and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved medication treatments for opioid use disorder: the full opioid agonist methadone, the opioid partial-agonist buprenorphine, and the opioid-receptor antagonist naltrexone. We provide a review of the use of buprenorphine for treatment of opioid use disorder and discuss barriers, challenges, risks, and the efficacy of buprenorphine treatment versus other treatments.Although evidence from numerous studies have shown buprenorphine to be effective for the treatment of opioid use disorder, a majority of patients with opioid use disorder do not receive buprenorphine, or any other medical treatment. We review the different formulations of buprenorphine, including newer long-acting injectable formulations that may decrease risk of diversion and improve adherence.

BackgroundThe use of antipsychotic medication in the United States and throughout the world has greatly increased over the last fifteen years. These drugs have significant side effect burdens, many of them relating to cardiovascular health.ObjectiveTo review the available evidence on the major cardiovascular issues that arise in patients taking antipsychotic medication.MethodA PubMed literature review was performed to identify recent meta-analyses, review articles, and large studies. Further articles were identified through cited papers and based on expert consultation when necessary.ResultsClinical guidance on the following adverse effects and antipsychotics was reviewed: electrocardiogram (ECG) changes, (specifically, prolonged QT and risk of torsades de pointes), weight gain, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, and myocarditis. Specific attention was paid to monitoring guidelines and treatment options in the event of adverse events, including dose change, medication switch, or adjuvant therapy.

AVA measured with CT planimetry is significantly greater than AVA calculated with the continuity equation. This difference is at least partially related to differences in LVOT area based on LVOT diameter versus direct planimetry of the LVOT area.

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