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

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-HT_1A-receptors and has antagonist activity at the 5-HT_2A-receptor. It has a low-to-moderate affinity for the 5-HT_2C-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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