Psychotropic Medications Weight Gain: A Clinical Dilemma Looked Through the Lens of Therapeutic Challenges, Complementary Approaches and Pharmacotherapies

Abstract

Background: Psychotropic drugs especially second generation of antipsychotics and antidepressants are used in psychiatric patients with severe mental disorders. These disorders are associated with weight gain and obesity that poses clinical challenges. This needs individualisedtailored integrative interventions including the promotion of health and wellbeing. Objective: The review critically assimilates evidence-based data on several aspects of psychotropic-induced weight gain with a focus on therapeutic challenges and multidimensional integrative management strategies along with pharmacological interventions. Methods: Electronic searches of three databases (from 2000 to 2018) using Boolean operators and keywords retrieved thousands of peer-reviewed articles published in scientific journals. Based on exclusion and inclusion criteria 141 pertinent articles were retained for this review.