Psychopharmacology and Psychiatry Updates Valproate Weight Gain: Do Lower Doses Help?
Jul 15, 2025
Dr. Paul Zarkowski, a leading expert in psychopharmacology, dives into the intriguing relationship between valproate dosage and weight gain. He discusses groundbreaking research suggesting that lower doses might preserve therapeutic effects while reducing this common side effect. The conversation emphasizes the importance of early weight monitoring in treatment and how individual patient factors like gender and BMI play a crucial role. This fresh perspective could revolutionize prescribing practices for those using valproate.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Valproate Dose Links to Weight Gain
- Weight gain on valproate shows a positive correlation with dose, with about 0.5% weight gain per 500mg over treatment.
- Most weight gain happens in the first three months, over four times greater than later months.
Factors Increasing Valproate Weight Gain
- Female patients and those with lower baseline BMI tend to gain more weight on valproate.
- Co-prescription with weight-gain-associated medications also increases weight gain risk.
Start Low, Go Slow Dosing
- Use a "start low, go slow" dosing approach to find the lowest effective valproate dose.
- This method helps limit weight gain and other dose-related side effects.