Unusual Weight Loss in a Schizophrenic Patient Following Treatment With Aripiprazole: A Case Report

Background:The main problem with second-generation antipsychotic (SGAs) drugs is weight gain.It was shown that aripiprazole can induce mild weight loss in some patients.Case Report: In this study, we present a 32-year-old man with schizophrenia who, before initiating aripiprazole, had been treated with clozapine (standard oral tablets) at a daily dosage of 300 mg.During 9 years of clozapine therapy, the patient experienced substantial weight gain, totaling 51 kg, which increased his weight to 145 kg.Concurrently, he displayed limited interest in social interactions, remained primarily confined to his home watching television, and was unemployed.At the time of hospitalization, clozapine treatment was discontinued, and aripiprazole was introduced with the patient weighing 145 kg.Over the subsequent 60 days of aripiprazole treatment, the patient demonstrated a significant weight loss of 28 kg, a reduction that was both remarkable and clinically significant. Conclusion:Switching from clozapine to aripiprazole led to significant weight loss in a patient with schizophrenia, highlighting aripiprazole's potential in managing antipsychoticinduced weight gain.