The semaglutide era? Considering medication-related weight gain

“Imagine a world where you have all the effects of antipsychotics, but none of the side effects.” Celebrities use them; politicians discuss them; our patients ask about them. Are semaglutide and sister drugs game changers for those with mental health problems who struggle with obesity? To explore the opportunities and challenges of these new medications, on this episode of Quick Takes, I speak with Dr. Mahavir Agarwal (the medical head of CAMH’s Metabolic Clinic), Lisa Schaffer (executive director of Obesity Canada), and Dr. Sanjeev Sockalingam (the scientific director of Obesity Canada and, of course, CAMH’s CMO). In this episode, you’ll learn:That 8 out of 10 patients taking antipsychotic medications will experience clinically significant weight gainHow treating obesity in these patients can also improve other chronic conditions to which they are more vulnerableThat some side effects of GLP-1 medications may limit access to treatments like electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)And about the emerging research using GLP-1s for alcohol and nicotine dependence THANKS FOR LISTENING! Quick Takes is a production of the Center for Addiction and Mental Health. You can find links to the relevant content mentioned in the show and accessible transcripts of all the episodes we produce online at CAMH.ca. Follow CAMH Education on X (formerly known as Twitter) @camhEdu Follow and subscribe to Reading of the Week where, every week, Dr. David Gratzer reviews research papers from the world of psychiatry.