Obesity Induced by the Neurological Drugs

Obesity is a serious health problem, especially in developed countries and poses an increasing danger. It is an important risk factor for some serious and chronic diseases, including hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, stroke, and cancer. Obesity not only causes physical harm to patients but also leads to some common problems, such as low self-esteem, impaired psychosocial functioning, and low activity. Drug-induced weight gain and obesity may harm the patient instead of benefit. Treatment-induced weight gain is one of the important reasons for nonadherence to treatment. In particular, weight gain during adolescence is considered as an “unacceptable side effect” of drugs and causes drug discontinuation. Many drugs (antiepileptics, antidepressants, antipsychotics, etc.) used for the treatment of various neurological disorders are associated with weight gain. On the other hand, few drugs are associated with weight loss. In this chapter, the relationship between the drugs used in the treatment of various neurological disorders and weight change will be discussed.

Keywords: Antiepileptics, Antidepressants, Antipsychotics, Beta-blockers, Calcium channel blockers, Dopaminergic drugs, Glucocorticoids, Obesity, Neurological drugs, Serotonergic/ histaminergic agents, Weight gain.