Metformin plus sibutramine for olanzapine-associated weight gain and metabolic dysfunction in schizophrenia: a 12-week double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study.

Author(s): Baptista T, Uzcategui E, Rangel N, El Fakih Y, Galeazzi T, Beaulieu S, de Baptista EA

Affiliation(s): Department of Physiology, Los Andes University Medical School, P.O. Box 93, Merida, 5101-A, Venezuela. trinbap@yahoo.com

Publication date & source: 2008-05-30, Psychiatry Res., 159(1-2):250-3. Epub 2008 Apr 18.

Publication type: Comparative Study; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Metformin (850-1700 mg) plus sibutramine (10-20 mg, n=13) or placebo (n=15) was administered for 12 weeks in olanzapine-treated chronic schizophrenia patients. Weight loss was similar in both groups: -2.8+/-3.2 kg vs. -1.4+/-2.6 kg. Except for preventing a triglyceride increase, the drug combination lacked efficacy for metabolic control in this clinical population.