Weight Gain in the AMSP System

Weight gain has been identified as one of the major side effects of psychotropic medications. Current information on weight gain is restricted to data derived from controlled clinical trials that involve non-representative study populations. The AMSP e.V. (Arzneimittelsicherheit in der Psychiatrie) collects information on the frequency and severity of drug induced side effects as well as data on prescription patterns in the participating hospitals. Here we analysed the most recent data sets on weight gain of the AMSP data base and related the data to prescription frequencies on the one hand and to expected values derived from clinical studies on the other hand. The elucidation of the mechanisms of drug induced weight gain will be beneficial not only for psychiatric patients but may prove to be of relevance for the understanding of obesity and diabetes in the general population as well.