Pharmacopsychiatry 2006; 39(2): 76
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-931545
Letter
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Extensive Weight Loss in a Patient with Schizophrenia after Switching from Olanzapine to Aripiprazole

A Case ReportG. Luebbe1 , S. Kropp2 , E. Harms1 , M. Ziegenbein1
  • 1Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School Hannover, Hannover, Germany
  • 2Dept of Clinical Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School Hannover, Hannover, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 27.9.2005

Accepted: 12.10.2005

Publication Date:
23 March 2006 (online)

Introduction

Aripiprazole is a novel atypical antipsychotic drug chemically characterized as a quinolinone derivative [5]. Aripiprazole is a partial agonist at dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT1A-receptors and has antagonist activity at the 5-HT2A-receptor. It has a low-to-moderate affinity for the 5-HT2C-receptor and H1-receptor. Clinical studies have shown a clinically significant smaller weight gain for patients treated with aripiprazole than with other antipsychotics [1] [3]. Switching from other antipsychotics to aripiprazole has been reported to result in a slight reduction of body weight [2]. We present a case of significant weight loss in a patient switching from olanzapine to aripiprazole. To our knowledge, no similar case has been reported yet.

References

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  • 3 McQuade R D, Stock E, Marcus R, Jody D, Gharbia N A, Vanveggel S. et al . A Comparison of Weight Change During Treatment With Olanzapine or Aripiprazole: Results From a Randomized, Double-Blind Study.  J Clin Psychiatry. 2004;  65 (Suppl. 18) 47-56
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Gudrun Luebbe

Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy

Medical School Hannover

30163 Hannover

Germany

Email: Luebbe.Gudrun@mh-hannover.de