Mental diorders defined by abnormally elevated mood are termed as bipolar disorders.
Though these drugs can treat severe phychiatric ailments in children, however, weight gain is a known side-effect triggered by the use of such drugs. Also, long-term use of such drugs is linked to causing health complications like diabetes and heart attacks.
Therefore, findings of the study have raised concerns about the use of such drugs among children.
To determine the link between drugs and weight gain, researchers from the Seattle Children's Hospital analyzed 272 New York City-area children aged 4-19, during their first three months taking antipsychotic drugs between 2001 and 2007. At the beginning of the trial, all the children had a normal body mass index
(BMI).
A BMI of 18-25 is normal; 25-29 is overweight; and above 30 is considered obese.
The doctors had prescribed four of the most common antipsychotic drugs to these children, Johnson & Johnson's--Risperdal, Eli Lilly's--Zyprexa, Bristol-Myers Squibb's--Abilify and AstraZeneca's--Seroquel to treat conditions such as schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, and disruptive or aggressive behavior.
Antipychotics found to cause weight gain in children
After a period of 11 weeks, the researchers noted a dramatic and rapid weight gain of 10 to 19 pounds in these children.
It was found that those who were prescribed Zyprexa gained an average of 19 pounds (8.5 kg), those on Seroquel gained 13pounds (6 kg), those on Risperdal gained 11pounds (3.5 kg), and those on Abilify gained nearly 10 pounds (4.4 kg).
Those given Zyprexa had gained the most together with major changes in metabolic factors such as blood sugar, cholesterol, and triglycerides, which can cause heart problems and diabetes.
Doctors should be cautious while prescribing antipsychotic medication
The researchers said that it is yet not certain what causes these drugs to trigger weight gain in children. However, findings of the current study provide enough evidence that children and adolescents are highly vulnerable to antipsychotic medication, they said.
The doctors should exercise extreme caution while prescribing these drugs, especially to the children. These medications should not be provided to those children who are not psychotic or bipolar, they suggested.
"These medications can be lifesaving for youth with serious psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia, classically defined bipolar disorder, or severe aggression associated with autism," said Christopher Varley, MD, of Seattle Children's Hospital.
"However, given the risk for weight gain and long-term risk for cardiovascular and metabolic problems, the widespread and increasing use of atypical antipsychotic medications in children and adolescents should be reconsidered," he added.
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