Psychotropic medications frequently cause metabolic adverse effects via gut-brain axis

This narrative review synthesizes emerging evidence on psychotropic-induced metabolic disturbances, focusing on insulin resistance and the gut-brain-metabolic axis. The review type, study population, sample size, setting, comparator, and follow-up duration were not reported. The evidence is based on a synthesis of current advances rather than original systematic analysis.

Psychotropic medications were associated with frequent metabolic adverse effects, including weight gain, insulin resistance, dysglycemia, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. The gut-brain-metabolic axis was identified as a key mechanistic interface in these disturbances. Multi-omics strategies are beginning to illuminate the complex molecular networks involved, though specific effect sizes, absolute numbers, and statistical measures were not reported.

Key limitations include that most findings arise from isolated omics layers, which limits mechanistic resolution and translational utility. Additionally, the molecular determinants of individual susceptibility and drivers of interindividual variability remain insufficiently defined. Safety data on serious adverse events and discontinuation rates were not reported.

This review presents an association between psychotropic medications and metabolic adverse effects, suggesting a mechanistic role for the gut-brain-metabolic axis. The evidence is emerging and based on a narrative synthesis; findings from multi-omics strategies are not comprehensive or conclusive, and integrative frameworks have not been validated. Practice relevance was not specifically reported, and precision approaches are not currently established.