Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

Which drugs are specifically associated with weight gain and increased appetite?

1. Risperidone and Aripiprazole

2. Clozapine and Olanzapine

3. Fluoxetine and Escitalopram

4. Venlafaxine and Bupropion

The correct answer is: Clozapine and Olanzapine

Clozapine and Olanzapine are specifically associated with weight gain and increased appetite due to their effects on metabolic pathways. Both are atypical antipsychotics that influence serotonin and dopamine receptors in the brain. Their mechanism can lead to increased food intake and a tendency to promote weight gain, making them commonly recognized in clinical settings for their potential to cause these side effects. In contrast, the other combinations listed involve medications that typically do not cause significant weight gain or may even be associated with weight loss or a stable weight. Risperidone and Aripiprazole do involve weight considerations, but they are not as strongly associated with weight gain as Clozapine and Olanzapine. Meanwhile, Fluoxetine and Escitalopram are generally well-tolerated in terms of weight, often with reports of little to no weight change, while Venlafaxine and Bupropion can even lead to weight loss in some individuals. Thus, Clozapine and Olanzapine stand out distinctly for their correlation with increased appetite and weight gain.