We were able to rank most of the psychotropics based on the available evidence and recommendations from subject matter experts .
There were few discrepancies between published evidence and the expert panel in ranking these drugs .
Conclusion Potential for weight gain is an important consideration in choice of any psychotropic .
This tool will help clinicians select psychotropics on a case-by-case basis in order to minimize the impact of weight gain when making both intra-class and interclass choices
Introduction Psychotropic medication use is associated with  weight gain .
While there are studies and review s comparing weight gain for psychotropics within some classes , clinicians frequently use drugs from different classes to treat psychiatric disorders .
Objective To undertake a systematic review of all classes of psychotropics to provide an all encompassing evidence -based tool that would allow clinicians to determine the risks of weight gain in making both intra-class and interclass choices of psychotropics .
Efficacy and tolerability of venlafaxine in geriatric outpatients with major depression: a double-blind, randomised 6-month comparative trial with citalopram.
BACKGROUND The objectives of the study were to compare efficacy and tolerability of venlafaxine ER 75 - 150 mg/day with that of citalopram 10 - 20 mg/day in elderly patients with major depression according to DSM-IV criteria . METHODS A r and omised , double-blind , parallel group 6-month study . Efficacy was assessed by MADRS , CGI Global Improvement , CGI Severity of Illness and GDS-20 scores and safety by physical examinations , vital signs , adverse events and UKU side effect rating . Plasma levels of venlafaxine , its major metabolite O-desmethylvenlafaxine and citalopram were followed . RESULTS One hundred and fifty-one male and female patients ( 64 - 89 years ) were enrolled and 118 patients completed the study . Comparable improvements in MADRS , CGI Severity of Illness , CGI Global Improvement and GDS-20 were observed during venlafaxine and citalopram treatment . The MADRS remission rate was 19 % for venlafaxine and 23 % for citalopram .  Side effects were common during both treatments but differed in tremor being more common during citalopram and nausea/vomiting during venlafaxine treatment . There were no clinical ly significant changes in blood pressure or body weight . CONCLUSION The observed benefits of venlafaxine treatment in elderly patients with major depression were similar to those observed in younger adults as were reported adverse events and side effects . Treatment with venlafaxine ER was well tolerated and induced beneficial effects of similar magnitude as those of citalopram
We were able to rank most of the psychotropics based on the available evidence and recommendations from subject matter experts .
There were few discrepancies between published evidence and the expert panel in ranking these drugs .
Conclusion Potential for weight gain is an important consideration in choice of any psychotropic .
This tool will help clinicians select psychotropics on a case-by-case basis in order to minimize the impact of weight gain when making both intra-class and interclass choices
Introduction Psychotropic medication use is associated with  weight gain .
While there are studies and review s comparing weight gain for psychotropics within some classes , clinicians frequently use drugs from different classes to treat psychiatric disorders .
Objective To undertake a systematic review of all classes of psychotropics to provide an all encompassing evidence -based tool that would allow clinicians to determine the risks of weight gain in making both intra-class and interclass choices of psychotropics .