Section - Quick Takes

01. Association Between Olanzapine Concentration and Metabolic Dysfunction in Drug-Naïve and Chronic Patients: Similarities and Differences

Published on October 1, 2022 Certification expiration date: October 1, 2028

James Phelps, M.D.

Research Editor - Psychopharmacology Institute

Key Points

Weight gain and metabolic adverse effects of olanzapine are dose related in this study but only in olanzapine-naive patients.
Previous exposure effects on metabolism appear to have persisted.
Are we adequately informing patients of risks and alternatives?

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Is weight gain on olanzapine dose related? In my experience, some patients on 2.5 mg seem to avoid rapid increases in body weight, whereas anything above that seemed to cause weight gain for nearly everybody. Was I right? What’s your working impression?

Hi! Jim Phelps here for the Psychopharmacology Institute. Here are new data from Dr. Dongyu Kang and colleagues. Previous studies have not found a relationship between olanzapine levels and its adverse metabolic effects. So, Dr. Kang and colleagues wondered if this was because most patients had had previous exposure to second-generation antipsychotics. They conducted a prospective cohort study in 120 olanzapine-naïve and olanzapine-experienced patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia and compared olanzapine blood levels and adverse metabolic outcomes. They found a linear relationship between blood levels and weight as well as metabolic changes but only in the olanzapine-naïve group. Consistent with previous results, the relationship was not significant

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02. Antidepressants and Vertebral and Hip Risk Fracture: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Learning Objectives:

After completing this activity, the learner will be able to:

Examine the effects of olanzapine dose on weight gain and metabolism in the context of earlier literature on weight gain frequency.
Evaluate the effect of antidepressants on risk of hip and vertebral bone fractures.
Examine a critique of current drug development and contrast symptomatic vs disease-modifying effects of psychotropic drugs.
Discuss the findings of a large meta-analysis of pharmacologic and dietary supplement treatments for autism spectrum disorder.
Assess the efficacy of light therapy as a treatment for postpartum depression.

Original Release Date: October 1, 2022

Review and Re-release Date: October 1, 2025

Expiration Date: October 1, 2028

Expert: James Phelps, M.D.

Medical Editor: Melissa Mariano, M.D.

Relevant Financial Disclosures:

None of the faculty, planners, and reviewers for this educational activity have relevant financial relationships to disclose during the last 24 months with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.

Contact Information: For questions regarding the content or access to this activity, contact us at support@ml-staging.psychopharmacologyinstitute.com

Instructions for Participation and Credit:

Participants must complete the activity online during the valid credit period that is noted above.

Follow these steps to earn CME credit:

View the required educational content provided on this course page.
Complete the Post Activity Evaluation for providing the necessary feedback for continuing accreditation purposes and for the development of future activities. NOTE: Completing the Post Activity Evaluation after the quiz is required to receive the earned credit.
Download your certificate.

Accreditation Statement

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint providership of Medical Academy LLC and the Psychopharmacology Institute. Medical Academy is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation Statement

Medical Academy designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.