¹Behavioral And Neurosciences Association Of India, Psychiatry, Mumbai, India

Background: Olanzapine is widely used antipsychotic having propensity for metabolic side effects. Number of molecules have been tried to ameliorate these side effects. Metformin is one of the tolerable and cheaper option.

Aims & Objectives: This study was undertaken to check effect of co-administration of metformin along with olanzapine on changes in body weight, waist circumference, fasting blood sugar and lipid profile

Method: The Study was Longitudinal, Prospective, Open label randomized controlled trial in newly diagnosed cases of schizophrenia having two groups of 30 each, group 1 on olanzapine only and group 2 on olanzapine and metformin. The data was statistically analyzed and the results were presented

Results: The mean age in group 1 (olanzapine) was 31.37 ± 12.57 years and in group 2 (olanzapine + metformin) was 30.47 ± 12.17 years. There was increase in appetite in 70% and 66.67% patients over a 2 week period in group 1 and group 2 respectively. No statistical significance between the two groups were observed while weight loss and reduced serum cholesterol was noted in the metformin group.

Discussion & Conclusions: Metformin is quite effective in ameliorating metabolic and weight gain related side effects of Olanzapine and must be explored in further studies.