Effect of nizatidine on olanzapine-associated weight gain in schizophrenic patients in Korea: a pilot study

• Published in: Human psychopharmacology 2003-08, Vol.18 (6), p.453-456
• Main Authors: Pae, Chi-Un, Kim, Jung-Jin, Lee, Kyung-Uk, Lee, Chang-Uk, Bahk, Won-Myong, Lee, Soo-Jung, Lee, Chul, Paik, In-Ho
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Antipsychotic Agents - adverse effects; Antipsychotic Agents - therapeutic use; Benzodiazepines; Female; Histamine H2 Antagonists - administration & dosage; Histamine H2 Antagonists - therapeutic use; Humans; Male; nizatidine; Nizatidine - administration & dosage; Nizatidine - therapeutic use; Obesity - etiology; Obesity - prevention & control; olanzapine; Pilot Projects; Pirenzepine - adverse effects; Pirenzepine - analogs & derivatives; Pirenzepine - therapeutic use; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Psychometrics; schizophrenia; Schizophrenia - diagnosis; Schizophrenia - drug therapy; schizophreniform disorder; weight gain; Weight Gain - drug effects
• ISSN: 0885-6222; 1099-1077
• DOI: 10.1002/hup.507

A pilot study was conducted to evaluate the effect of nizatidine on olanzapine‐associated weight gain (OAWG) in ten patients with schizophrenia and schizophreniform disorder in Korea. Psychometric ratings with positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) and brief psychiatric rating scale (BPRS) were measured at baseline, week 4 and week 8; as were weight and body mass index (BMI). A combination of nizatidine for 8 weeks resulted in significant reversal of weight gain without worsening the psychopathology (weight: 3.5% and BMI: 3.7%). In line with studies of Western populations, an add‐on therapy of nizatidine could be an effective option for the control of weight gain in olanzapine‐treated patients in Korea. Our findings call for further evaluation of the effect of this drug on OAWG, with randomized placebo‐controlled studies, in Asian populations. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.