Obesity is a serious health problem, especially in developed countries and
poses an increasing danger. It is an important risk factor for some serious and chronic
diseases, including hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease,
stroke, and cancer. Obesity not only causes physical harm to patients but also leads to
some common problems, such as low self-esteem, impaired psychosocial functioning,
and low activity. Drug-induced weight gain and obesity may harm the patient instead
of benefit. Treatment-induced weight gain is one of the important reasons for nonadherence
to treatment. In particular, weight gain during adolescence is considered as
an “unacceptable side effect” of drugs and causes drug discontinuation. Many drugs
(antiepileptics, antidepressants, antipsychotics, etc.) used for the treatment of various
neurological disorders are associated with weight gain. On the other hand, few drugs
are associated with weight loss. In this chapter, the relationship between the drugs used
in the treatment of various neurological disorders and weight change will be discussed.
Keywords: Antiepileptics, Antidepressants, Antipsychotics, Beta-blockers,
Calcium channel blockers, Dopaminergic drugs, Glucocorticoids, Obesity,
Neurological drugs, Serotonergic/ histaminergic agents, Weight gain.
