Psychopharmacology: antipsychotic weight gain: practice question

A Psychiatry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Psychiatry · Psychopharmacology: antipsychotic weight gain

Sample item

A 30-year-old woman with schizophrenia is stable on olanzapine but has gained 12 kg and has a rising fasting glucose. Besides lifestyle advice, which drug has evidence for limiting antipsychotic-related weight gain?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Metformin

Metformin added to an antipsychotic reduces weight and improves insulin resistance and is recommended for antipsychotic-induced weight gain. Mirtazapine and valproate themselves promote weight gain.

Option by option

  • A. Metformin (correct)

    Correct. Metformin attenuates weight gain and insulin resistance caused by antipsychotics.

  • B. Sodium valproate

    Valproate commonly causes weight gain.

  • C. Mirtazapine

    Mirtazapine increases appetite and weight.

  • D. Propranolol

    Propranolol can cause fatigue and does not lower antipsychotic weight gain.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is A, Metformin. Metformin added to an antipsychotic reduces weight and improves insulin resistance and is recommended for antipsychotic-induced weight gain.

Why is "Sodium valproate" not the answer?

Valproate commonly causes weight gain.

Why is "Mirtazapine" not the answer?

Mirtazapine increases appetite and weight.

Why is "Propranolol" not the answer?

Propranolol can cause fatigue and does not lower antipsychotic weight gain.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Psychopharmacology: antipsychotic weight gain in Psychiatry. Mirtazapine and valproate themselves promote weight gain.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Psychopharmacology: antipsychotic weight gain?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.