olanzapine and Pseudotumor-Cerebri

Pseudotumor cerebri or idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) secondary to psychotropic drugs is a very rare occurrence. Lithium is typically the culprit agent. Here, authors report on an interesting case of an adolescent with early-onset schizophrenia that develops a reversible IIH putatively related to olanzapine-induced weight gain. This is followed by discussion of purported pharmacodynamic mechanisms and brief review of literature. Clinicians should be cognizant to this serious complication given the propensity of the majority of atypical antipsychotics to induce significant weight gain especially in younger population.

Topics: Adolescent; Antipsychotic Agents; Humans; Olanzapine; Pseudotumor Cerebri; Psychotic Disorders; Weight Gain