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 .
Antidepressant-related adverse effects impacting treatment compliance: Results of a patient survey.
BACKGROUND Despite the high prevalence of depression in the United States , 10 few studies have identified which adverse effects ( AEs ) patients are willing or unwilling to tolerate when receiving antidepressants . OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to identify reasons for discontinuation10 and noncompliance with antidepressant medications , the impact of AEs on compliance and quality of life ( assessed using impact of AEs on activities of daily living ) , and patients ' suggestions for improving their medication , using a patient survey . METHODS Patients aged 18 to 65 years with mild to severe depression were 10 r and omly selected by their physicians to be sent an invitation to complete the 42- question survey . Three hundred physicians nationwide assessed the severity of depression and symptoms of anxiety in each respondent , using their judgment . Patients were asked specific questions to assess reasons for discontinuation/noncompliance . Patients were also asked to rate AEs based on how difficult they were to " live with , " and what 2 aspects of their antidepressant medication they would change if they could . RESULTS In a separate , concurrent study , physicians classified 175 ( 50 % ) abd Results :0 mildly to moderately depressed and 84 ( 24 % ) as severely depressed . Ninety-one respondents ( 26 % ) were classified as having symptoms of anxiety . Two hundred seven patients ( 60 % ) indicated they had discontinued treatment with an antidepressant agent at some point in their lives , the most common reason for which was lack of efficacy ( 92 patients [ 44 % ] ) . Of the 344 patients currently being treated with an antidepressant , 75 ( 22 % ) reported noncompliance . The most common reasons for noncompliance were " have trouble remembering to take it " ( 19/44 patients [ 43 % ] ) , " gained a lot of weight " ( 11/41 [ 27 % ] ) , " unable to have an orgasm " ( 8/40 [ 20 % ] ) , and " lost interest in sex " ( 8/41 [ 20 % ] ) . The 4 AEs patients expressed as " extremely difficult to live with " were " weight gain " ( 104 patients [ 31 % ] ) , " unable to have erection " ( 83 [ 25 % ] ) , " difficulty reaching orgasm " ( 80 [ 24 % ] ) , and " tired during the day/no energy " ( 69 patients [ 21 % ] ) . The 3 most frequently cited improvements patients ( n = 327 ) would make to their medications were better efficacy ( 176 patients [ 54 % ] ) and eliminating AEs related to sexual desire and weight gain ( 112 [ 34 % ] and 105 [ 32 % ] patients , respectively ) . CONCLUSIONS The findings of this survey of patients with mild to severe10 depression suggest that compliance , and hence efficacy , can be promoted by ( 1 ) underst and ing what patients expect and desire from the antidepressants they are prescribed and ( 2 ) prescribing antidepressants associated with low rates of weight gain , sexual dysfunction , or tiredness
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 .