Lithium carbonate and weight gain.

In order to evaluate weight gain in lithium-treated patients., a group of 21 bipolar patients on lithium were compared against a group of 12 bipolar patients on placebo over a 12-month period. During this time both groups exhibited euthymic mood. Eleven of the 21 patients on lithium gained greater than 10 lbs. whereas only 1 placebo patient gained more than 10 lbs. Thirteen of 21 lithium-treated patients showed a gain of 5% total body weight while only 2 of 12 placebo patients showed a gain of 5% total body weight. Both of these results were statistically significant (P less tha 0.05). The findings seem to indicate that weight gain is a direct effect of lithium treatment.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes