Am J Psychiatry 159:655-657, April 2002
© 2002 American Psychiatric Association
Metformin for Weight Loss in Pediatric Patients Taking Psychotropic Drugs
John A. Morrison, Ph.D.,
Elizabeth M. Cottingham, M.D., and
Bruce A. Barton, Ph.D.
|
Abstract
|
OBJECTIVE: Metformin was assessed as a treatment for weight gain in children taking olanzapine, risperidone, quetiapine, or valproate. METHOD: The subjects were 19 patients aged 10–18 years; 15 were white and four were black, and there were 12 boys and seven girls. In a 12-week open-label study, each patient received metformin, 500 mg t.i.d. Changes in weight and body mass index were evaluated by using repeated measures analysis of variance. RESULTS: Of the 19 patients, 15 lost weight, three gained 1.6 kg or less, and one had no change. The mean changes in weight and body mass index at 12 weeks were highly significant. CONCLUSIONS: Metformin merits further study as a treatment for weight gain in patients taking psychotropic medications.
|
Introduction
|
Olanzapine, risperidone, quetiapine, and valproate provide effective treatment of bipolar disorder and psychosis (1). Their use, however, is associated with weight gain in as many as 50% of patients (1–5). Metformin, which is prescribed for patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes to control blood sugar levels, has been reported to effect weight loss in several groups of patients characterized by insulin resistance. These include women with polycystic ovary disease (6, 7) and obese hyperlipidemic men and women with and without non-insulin-dependent diabetes (8). Metformin has recently been approved for use in children. Within this framework, we conducted an open-label study of metformin and weight loss in pediatric patients who had gained weight while taking target drugs. We hypothesized that metformin would manage weight gain and lead to weight loss.
|
Method
|
Patients taking olanzapine, risperidone, quetiapine, or valproate at Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, with weight gain over 10% of baseline were given metformin, 500 mg t.i.d. Determination of weight gain was based on hospital records and the patient’s weight at enrollment. Weight and height were measured to the nearest 0.1 kg and 0.1 cm, respectively, according to a National Institutes of Health protocol (9). The first two patients were seen under an 8-week protocol; subsequent patients were seen under a 12-week protocol. The patients were instructed not to change diet or physical activity during the study. Safety monitoring tests for lactic acidosis and liver function were conducted at all visits. Postmenarchal girls took urine pregnancy tests monthly.
The study’s primary outcome measures were change in weight and body mass index at 12 weeks of metformin treatment. For these outcomes, we used paired t tests to assess whether the mean changes were significantly different from zero. To control for multiple comparisons, we adjusted the critical alpha level by using Bonferroni adjustment, testing each outcome at an alpha of 0.025. We tested changes in weight and body mass index at 4 and 8 weeks as secondary outcomes, using a more conservative alpha of 0.01. All analyses were performed by using SAS version 8.0 (10).
The Children’s Hospital Medical Center institutional review board approved the protocol. Written informed assent/consent was obtained. The participants were told that we wanted to see whether metformin affected weight loss independently of dietary changes or physical activity.
|
Results
|
Nineteen patients, aged 10–18 years (mean=14.1, SD=2.5), were treated. They included 15 white and four black subjects; 12 were male, and seven were female. Two patients were taking valproate only, four were taking valproate plus olanzapine, eight were taking olanzapine only, one was taking valproate plus risperidone, three were taking risperidone only, and one was taking quetiapine only. The length of treatment with these drugs ranged from 1 to 36 months (mean=10.4, SD=9.5), and weight gain ranged from 6.0 to 59.1 kg (mean=28.6, SD=15.3). Follow-up data were available for 19 patients at 4 weeks, 16 patients at 8 weeks, and 12 patients at 12 weeks. Seven patients had less than 12 weeks of data. Two patients were seen under an 8-week protocol. One patient stopped taking olanzapine after 8 weeks of weight loss and was lost to follow-up, although later admitted to the hospital. One patient moved away. One patient, who gained 0.6 kg in 4 weeks, dropped out to try a different, dietary approach and was counted as gaining weight. Two patients did not complete the 12-week protocol before funding and institutional review board approval expired. The weight change outcomes were based on patients’ results at 4, 8, and 12 weeks, and the weight change classification was based on each patient’s final visit, whether that was at 4, 8, or 12 weeks.
Of the 19 patients, 15 lost weight, the weight of one remained unchanged, and three gained weight. Weight gains in these three patients were 0.2 kg (over 3 months), 0.6 kg (over 1 month), and 1.6 kg (over 3 months). The mean changes in weight and body mass index by length of follow-up are summarized in Table 1. At 12 weeks, the mean weight change was –2.93 kg, and the mean change in body mass index was –2.22 kg/m2. Thus, both primary outcomes yielded highly significant results. Although there was weight loss and reduction in body mass index at weeks 4 and 8, only the reduction of body mass index at 4 weeks reached significance at the adjusted alpha level of 0.01 (Table 1). Four patients followed as private patients beyond the 12-week protocol to evaluate longer-term weight loss continued to lose weight, achieving losses of 4.1, 4.6, 8.2, and 13.1 kg.
The results of the safety tests for lactic acidosis were unremarkable. That is, the readings outside the normal range were within laboratory error. Many of the patients with abnormal results on the liver function tests had abnormal readings at baseline. One of the two patients with low SGOT levels had a low level at baseline. Of the 10 patients with high SGOT levels, six had high levels at baseline. Of the five patients with low SGPT levels, one had a low baseline level. Of the four patients with high SGPT levels, one had a high baseline level. Of the three patients with high  -glutamyltransferase levels, two had high levels at baseline. All other laboratory results were within normal ranges.
|
Discussion
|
In this preliminary evaluation of metformin as a treatment for weight gain associated with psychotropic drugs, the steep increase in weight experienced from these drugs was arrested in all patients. In addition, 15 of 19 patients lost weight. One patient, experiencing a weight gain of 1.6 kg, was also receiving intramuscular medroxyprogesterone acetate, an agent independently associated with weight gain.
Lustig (11) reported that use of metformin led to weight loss in eight obese adolescent girls who had failed to lose weight after caloric restriction. The mechanism by which metformin effects weight loss is not presently understood, but evidence is accumulating that it influences metabolism. Metformin is known to improve insulin sensitivity. Lenhard et al. (12) found that metformin increased mitochondrial metabolism, stimulating aerobic respiration and mitochondrial ß-oxidation.
This preliminary study has several limitations. First, it was an open-label study, and the open-label treatment of obesity is subject to the placebo effect. However, the pattern of sustained, continued weight loss suggests that the weight loss was not due to the placebo effect. Second, a small number of patients were enrolled, so comparisons of weight loss among the target drugs were not possible. Different mean levels of weight gain with the various target drugs have been reported in previous studies (3, 5). Third, different doses of metformin were not evaluated. Fourth, data on the occurrence of side effects were not systematically collected. Six patients reported diarrhea or watery stools at one or more visits. Fifth, although the patients reported making no change in energy intake or output, as instructed, hard data on dietary intake and physical activity were not collected. Sixth, long-term follow-up to determine the clinical significance of the mean weight loss was not conducted. The continued follow up of four patients beyond 12 weeks suggests clinically significant weight loss.
In this sample of 19 patients, metformin was well tolerated. One additional patient enrolled in the study but withdrew in the first month because of diarrhea. This patient was mentally retarded, wore diapers, and required a 2-hour bus ride each weekday. The patients reporting sporadic diarrhea, consisting of loose stools and/or increased frequency, indicated that it was not a cause for discontinuation and resolved with time. The results of safety tests were unremarkable.
We conclude that metformin holds promise as a treatment for weight gain in pediatric patients taking psychotropic medications. Further studies, including randomized controlled trials and longer follow-up periods, are warranted and required before a final evaluation is possible.
|
Footnotes
|
Received Sept. 27, 2000; revisions received Feb. 7 and Aug. 14, 2001; accepted Dec. 18, 2001. From the Divisions of Cardiology and Psychiatry, Children’s Hospital Medical Center; and the Maryland Medical Research Institute, Baltimore. Address reprint requests to Dr. Morrison, Division of Cardiology, OSB 4, Children’s Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229; morrj2{at}chmcc.org (e-mail). Supported by funding from the Children’s Hospital Medical Center Research Foundation. The metformin for this study was provided by Bristol-Myers Squibb.
|
References
|
-
The Collaborative Working Group on Clinical Trial Evaluations: Adverse effects of the atypical antipsychotics. J Clin Psychiatry 1998; 59:17-22
-
Egger J, Brett EM: Effects of sodium valproate in 100 children with special reference to weight. Br Med J 1981; 283:577-581
-
Allison DB, Mentore JL, Heo M, Chandler LP, Cappelleri JC, Infante MC, Weiden PJ: Antipsychotic-induced weight gain: a comprehensive research synthesis. Am J Psychiatry 1999; 156:1686-1696[Abstract/Free Full Text]
-
Sachs GS, Guille C: Weight gain associated with use of psychotropic medications. J Clin Psychiatry 1999; 60(suppl 21):16-19
-
Sikich L, Williamson K, Malekpour A, Bashford R, Sheitman B, Liberman J: Double-blind comparison of haloperidol, risperidone, and olanzapine in psychotic youth, in Scientific Proceedings of the 46th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Washington, DC, AACAP, 1999, p 136
-
Velazquez EM, Mendoza S, Hammer T, Sosa F, Glueck CJ: Metformin therapy in polycystic ovary syndrome reduces hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, hyperandrogenism, and systolic blood pressure, while facilitating normal menses and pregnancy. Metabolism 1994; 43:647-654[CrossRef][Medline]
-
Velazquez EM, Mendoza SG, Wang P, Glueck CJ: Metformin therapy is associated with a decrease in plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, lipoprotein(a), and immunoreactive insulin levels in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. Metabolism 1997; 46:454-457[CrossRef][Medline]
-
Glueck CJ, Fontaine RN, Wang P, Subbiah MT, Weber K, Illig E, Streicher P, Sieve-Smith L, Tracy TM, Lang JE, McCullough P: Metformin reduces weight, centripetal obesity, insulin, leptin, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in nondiabetic, morbidly obese subjects with body mass index greater than 30. Metabolism 2001; 50:856-861[CrossRef][Medline]
-
Obesity and cardiovascular disease risk factors in black and white girls: the NHLBI Growth and Health Study. Am J Public Health 1992; 82:1613-1620[Abstract/Free Full Text]
-
SAS/STAT User’s Guide, version 8. Cary, NC, SAS Institute, 2000
-
Lustig R: Childhood obesity, in A Current Review of Pediatric Endocrinology 1999. Rockland, Mass, Serono Symposia, 1999, pp 133-139
-
Lenhard JM, Liewer SA, Paulik MA, Plunket KD, Lehmann JM, Weiel JE: Effects of troglitazone and metformin on glucose and lipid metabolism: alteration of two distinct molecular pathways. Biochem Pharmacol 1999; 54:801-808
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
|
|
 
L. K Ellinger, H. J Ipema, and J. M Stachnik
Efficacy of Metformin and Topiramate in Prevention and Treatment of Second-Generation Antipsychotic-Induced Weight Gain
Ann. Pharmacother.,
April 1, 2010;
44(4):
668 - 679.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
G. P. August, S. Caprio, I. Fennoy, M. Freemark, F. R. Kaufman, R. H. Lustig, J. H. Silverstein, P. W. Speiser, D. M. Styne, and V. M. Montori
Prevention and Treatment of Pediatric Obesity: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline Based on Expert Opinion
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.,
December 1, 2008;
93(12):
4576 - 4599.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. A Morrison, C. J Glueck, P. S Horn, G. B Schreiber, and P. Wang
Pre-teen insulin resistance predicts weight gain, impaired fasting glucose, and type 2 diabetes at age 18-19 y: a 10-y prospective study of black and white girls
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition,
September 1, 2008;
88(3):
778 - 788.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
R.-R. Wu, J.-P. Zhao, H. Jin, P. Shao, M.-S. Fang, X.-F. Guo, Y.-Q. He, Y.-J. Liu, J.-D. Chen, and L.-H. Li
Lifestyle Intervention and Metformin for Treatment of Antipsychotic-Induced Weight Gain: A Randomized Controlled Trial
JAMA,
January 9, 2008;
299(2):
185 - 193.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
K. E. Towbin
Gaining: Pediatric Patients and Use of Atypical Antipsychotics
Am J Psychiatry,
December 1, 2006;
163(12):
2034 - 2036.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. J. Klein, E. M. Cottingham, M. Sorter, B. A. Barton, and J. A. Morrison
A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Metformin Treatment of Weight Gain Associated With Initiation of Atypical Antipsychotic Therapy in Children and Adolescents
Am J Psychiatry,
December 1, 2006;
163(12):
2072 - 2079.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. G. Robinson, M. G. Woerner, B. Napolitano, R. C. Patel, S. M. Sevy, H. Gunduz-Bruce, J. M. Soto-Perello, A. Mendelowitz, A. Khadivi, R. Miller, et al.
Randomized Comparison of Olanzapine Versus Risperidone for the Treatment of First-Episode Schizophrenia: 4-Month Outcomes
Am J Psychiatry,
December 1, 2006;
163(12):
2096 - 2102.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. Srinivasan, G. R. Ambler, L. A. Baur, S. P. Garnett, M. Tepsa, F. Yap, G. M. Ward, and C. T. Cowell
Randomized, Controlled Trial of Metformin for Obesity and Insulin Resistance in Children and Adolescents: Improvement in Body Composition and Fasting Insulin
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.,
June 1, 2006;
91(6):
2074 - 2080.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. G Robinson, M. G Woerner, H. M Delman, and J. M Kane
Pharmacological Treatments for First-Episode Schizophrenia
Schizophr Bull,
July 1, 2005;
31(3):
705 - 722.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
E K. Hester and M. R Thrower
Current Options in the Management of Olanzapine-Associated Weight Gain
Ann. Pharmacother.,
February 1, 2005;
39(2):
302 - 310.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. J. Zametkin, C. K. Zoon, H. W. Klein, and S. Munson
Psychiatric Aspects of Child and Adolescent Obesity: A Review of the Past 10 Years
Focus,
October 1, 2004;
2(4):
625 - 641.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. Ten and N. Maclaren
Insulin Resistance Syndrome in Children
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.,
June 1, 2004;
89(6):
2526 - 2539.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
N. Rasgon and L. Jarvik
Insulin Resistance, Affective Disorders, and Alzheimer's Disease: Review and Hypothesis
J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci,
February 1, 2004;
59(2):
M178 - M183.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Metformin for Children Taking Psychotropic Medications
Journal Watch Psychiatry,
May 23, 2002;
2002(523):
2 - 2.
[Full Text]
|
|
|
Get information about faster international access.
Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2002
American Psychiatric Association.
All rights reserved.
Home
| Search
| Current Issue
| Past Issues
| Subscribe
| All APPI Journals
| Help
| Contact Us
|
TOP
Abstract
Introduction
