Treatment of obesity with liraglutide in bipolar disorder: a case report.

Cipolla S, Vasca G, De Francesco D, Lombardo S, Delle Femine G, Volpicelli A, Perris F, Sampogna G, Luciano M

Frontiers in psychiatry30 Jul 2026

PMID42597211PMCIDPMC13467832DOI10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1855446PepBankPUB-42597211

Summary

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic, severe mental illness frequently complicated by metabolic disturbances such as obesity, insulin resistance and dyslipidaemia. We report the case of a 57-year-old man with Bipolar I Disorder and class III obesity (BMI 47.7 Kg/m²) whose mood episodes were tightly linked to weight fluctuations. patients' psychiatric history began in 1986 with a manic episode and recurrent depressive and manic relapses over nearly four decades, often provoked by weight-loss attempts. In February 2024, he was admitted for initiation of liraglutide under close psychiatric monitoring, given prior episodes of mania triggered by dietary interventions. At baseline, he exhibited moderate illness severity (CGI = 4), insulin resistance (HOMA-IR = 6.19), dyslipidaemia and sedentary habits. Liraglutide was titrated from 0.6 mg to 1.8 mg over three weeks. During the weight-loss intervention, and temporally after liraglutide titration to 1.8 mg/day, he developed a manic episode (YMRS = 30), prompting an increase in risperidone and addition of gabapentin alongside continuation of mood stabilizers. His manic symptoms remitted within one week, allowing discharge with liraglutide 1.8 mg, risperidone 3 mg, valproic acid and lamotrigine. Over subsequent outpatient follow-up at the target liraglutide dose (3 mg/day), he lost 6.5 kg more (total Δ weight = - 7 kg), his HOMA-IR improved to 5.78 and glycemic and lipid parameters stabilized without further mood destabilization. This case illustrates the bidirectional interplay between metabolic regulation and mood stability in BD, highlights the need for close psychiatric monitoring during structured weight-loss interventions in clinically vulnerable patients, and supports integrated multidisciplinary care when initiating anti-obesity treatments in patients with severe mental illness.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study7

1 result from studies that gave the peptide. 1 result from people.

01HumanCase report or seriesSafety outcome
In one man with bipolar I disorder and class III obesity, mania (YMRS 30) occurred temporally after liraglutide titration to 1.8 mg/day during weight intervention.
In plain wordsIn one man with bipolar I disorder and class III obesity, mania occurred after liraglutide titration to 1.8 mg/day.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
Not applicableManic episode
Study
n = 1
Outcome group
Adverse events · Mental health and mood
Studied dose
1.8 mg/dayAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
YMRS
30
manic episode temporally after liraglutide titration
Source sentences
Summary
During the weight-loss intervention, and temporally after liraglutide titration to 1.8 mg/day, he developed a manic episode (YMRS = 30), prompting an increase in risperidone and addition of gabapentin alongside continuation of mood stabilizers.
4 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We report the case of a 57-year-old man with Bipolar I Disorder and class III obesity (BMI 47.7 Kg/m²) whose mood episodes were tightly linked to weight fluctuations. patients' psychiatric history began in 1986 with a manic episode and recurrent depressive and manic relapses over nearly four decades, often provoked by weight-loss attempts.
Summary · context
In February 2024, he was admitted for initiation of liraglutide under close psychiatric monitoring, given prior episodes of mania triggered by dietary interventions.
Summary · context
At baseline, he exhibited moderate illness severity (CGI = 4), insulin resistance (HOMA-IR = 6.19), dyslipidaemia and sedentary habits.
Summary · context
Liraglutide was titrated from 0.6 mg to 1.8 mg over three weeks.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4259721101

Studies that did not test the peptide alone6

In this study, Liraglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. These results are not evidence about taking Liraglutide.

02HumanNot a test of Liraglutide aloneCase report or seriesEfficacy outcome
In one man with bipolar I disorder and class III obesity, follow-up on liraglutide with changed psychiatric medicines showed 6.5 kg additional weight loss (total change -7 kg).
In plain wordsIn one man with bipolar I disorder and class III obesity, liraglutide with changed psychiatric medicines was followed by 6.5 kg additional weight loss.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
DecreaseBody weight
Study
n = 1
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Measurements
Additional weight loss
6.5 kg
follow-up after psychiatric medication changes; liraglutide 3 mg/day
Total weight change
−7 kg
same multidrug follow-up
Source sentences
Summary
Over subsequent outpatient follow-up at the target liraglutide dose (3 mg/day), he lost 6.5 kg more (total Δ weight = - 7 kg), his HOMA-IR improved to 5.78 and glycemic and lipid parameters stabilized without further mood destabilization.
4 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We report the case of a 57-year-old man with Bipolar I Disorder and class III obesity (BMI 47.7 Kg/m²) whose mood episodes were tightly linked to weight fluctuations. patients' psychiatric history began in 1986 with a manic episode and recurrent depressive and manic relapses over nearly four decades, often provoked by weight-loss attempts.
Summary · context
At baseline, he exhibited moderate illness severity (CGI = 4), insulin resistance (HOMA-IR = 6.19), dyslipidaemia and sedentary habits.
Summary · context
During the weight-loss intervention, and temporally after liraglutide titration to 1.8 mg/day, he developed a manic episode (YMRS = 30), prompting an increase in risperidone and addition of gabapentin alongside continuation of mood stabilizers.
Summary · context
His manic symptoms remitted within one week, allowing discharge with liraglutide 1.8 mg, risperidone 3 mg, valproic acid and lamotrigine.
In this study, Liraglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Liraglutide.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4259721102
03HumanNot a test of Liraglutide aloneCase report or seriesEfficacy outcome
In one man with bipolar I disorder and class III obesity, HOMA-IR decreased from 6.19 to 5.78 during liraglutide-containing multidrug follow-up.
In plain wordsIn one man with bipolar I disorder and class III obesity, insulin resistance decreased during liraglutide-containing multidrug follow-up.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
DecreaseHOMA-IR
Study
n = 1
Outcome group
Glycemic control · Metabolic and weight
Measurements
HOMA-IR
6.19
baseline
HOMA-IR
5.78
liraglutide-containing multidrug follow-up
Source sentences
Summary
Over subsequent outpatient follow-up at the target liraglutide dose (3 mg/day), he lost 6.5 kg more (total Δ weight = - 7 kg), his HOMA-IR improved to 5.78 and glycemic and lipid parameters stabilized without further mood destabilization.
4 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We report the case of a 57-year-old man with Bipolar I Disorder and class III obesity (BMI 47.7 Kg/m²) whose mood episodes were tightly linked to weight fluctuations. patients' psychiatric history began in 1986 with a manic episode and recurrent depressive and manic relapses over nearly four decades, often provoked by weight-loss attempts.
Summary · context
At baseline, he exhibited moderate illness severity (CGI = 4), insulin resistance (HOMA-IR = 6.19), dyslipidaemia and sedentary habits.
Summary · context
During the weight-loss intervention, and temporally after liraglutide titration to 1.8 mg/day, he developed a manic episode (YMRS = 30), prompting an increase in risperidone and addition of gabapentin alongside continuation of mood stabilizers.
Summary · context
His manic symptoms remitted within one week, allowing discharge with liraglutide 1.8 mg, risperidone 3 mg, valproic acid and lamotrigine.
In this study, Liraglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Liraglutide.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4259721103
04HumanNot a test of Liraglutide aloneCase report or seriesEfficacy outcome
In one man with bipolar I disorder and class III obesity, liraglutide-containing multidrug follow-up showed stabilized glycemic parameters.
In plain wordsIn one man with bipolar I disorder and class III obesity, liraglutide-containing multidrug follow-up showed stabilized glycemic parameters.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
Not applicableGlycemic parameters
Study
n = 1
Outcome group
Glycemic control · Metabolic and weight
Source sentences
Summary
Over subsequent outpatient follow-up at the target liraglutide dose (3 mg/day), he lost 6.5 kg more (total Δ weight = - 7 kg), his HOMA-IR improved to 5.78 and glycemic and lipid parameters stabilized without further mood destabilization.
4 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We report the case of a 57-year-old man with Bipolar I Disorder and class III obesity (BMI 47.7 Kg/m²) whose mood episodes were tightly linked to weight fluctuations. patients' psychiatric history began in 1986 with a manic episode and recurrent depressive and manic relapses over nearly four decades, often provoked by weight-loss attempts.
Summary · context
At baseline, he exhibited moderate illness severity (CGI = 4), insulin resistance (HOMA-IR = 6.19), dyslipidaemia and sedentary habits.
Summary · context
During the weight-loss intervention, and temporally after liraglutide titration to 1.8 mg/day, he developed a manic episode (YMRS = 30), prompting an increase in risperidone and addition of gabapentin alongside continuation of mood stabilizers.
Summary · context
His manic symptoms remitted within one week, allowing discharge with liraglutide 1.8 mg, risperidone 3 mg, valproic acid and lamotrigine.
In this study, Liraglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Liraglutide.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4259721104
05HumanNot a test of Liraglutide aloneCase report or seriesEfficacy outcome
In one man with bipolar I disorder and class III obesity, liraglutide-containing multidrug follow-up showed stabilized lipid parameters.
In plain wordsIn one man with bipolar I disorder and class III obesity, liraglutide-containing multidrug follow-up showed stabilized lipid parameters.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
Not applicableLipid parameters
Study
n = 1
Outcome group
Lipids · Metabolic and weight
Source sentences
Summary
Over subsequent outpatient follow-up at the target liraglutide dose (3 mg/day), he lost 6.5 kg more (total Δ weight = - 7 kg), his HOMA-IR improved to 5.78 and glycemic and lipid parameters stabilized without further mood destabilization.
4 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We report the case of a 57-year-old man with Bipolar I Disorder and class III obesity (BMI 47.7 Kg/m²) whose mood episodes were tightly linked to weight fluctuations. patients' psychiatric history began in 1986 with a manic episode and recurrent depressive and manic relapses over nearly four decades, often provoked by weight-loss attempts.
Summary · context
At baseline, he exhibited moderate illness severity (CGI = 4), insulin resistance (HOMA-IR = 6.19), dyslipidaemia and sedentary habits.
Summary · context
During the weight-loss intervention, and temporally after liraglutide titration to 1.8 mg/day, he developed a manic episode (YMRS = 30), prompting an increase in risperidone and addition of gabapentin alongside continuation of mood stabilizers.
Summary · context
His manic symptoms remitted within one week, allowing discharge with liraglutide 1.8 mg, risperidone 3 mg, valproic acid and lamotrigine.
In this study, Liraglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Liraglutide.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4259721105
06HumanNot a test of Liraglutide aloneCase report or seriesSafety outcome
In one man with bipolar I disorder and class III obesity, liraglutide-containing multidrug follow-up showed no further mood destabilization.
In plain wordsIn one man with bipolar I disorder and class III obesity, liraglutide-containing multidrug follow-up showed no further mood destabilization.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
Not applicableFurther mood destabilization
Study
n = 1
Outcome group
Adverse events · Mental health and mood
Source sentences
Summary
Over subsequent outpatient follow-up at the target liraglutide dose (3 mg/day), he lost 6.5 kg more (total Δ weight = - 7 kg), his HOMA-IR improved to 5.78 and glycemic and lipid parameters stabilized without further mood destabilization.
4 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We report the case of a 57-year-old man with Bipolar I Disorder and class III obesity (BMI 47.7 Kg/m²) whose mood episodes were tightly linked to weight fluctuations. patients' psychiatric history began in 1986 with a manic episode and recurrent depressive and manic relapses over nearly four decades, often provoked by weight-loss attempts.
Summary · context
At baseline, he exhibited moderate illness severity (CGI = 4), insulin resistance (HOMA-IR = 6.19), dyslipidaemia and sedentary habits.
Summary · context
During the weight-loss intervention, and temporally after liraglutide titration to 1.8 mg/day, he developed a manic episode (YMRS = 30), prompting an increase in risperidone and addition of gabapentin alongside continuation of mood stabilizers.
Summary · context
His manic symptoms remitted within one week, allowing discharge with liraglutide 1.8 mg, risperidone 3 mg, valproic acid and lamotrigine.
In this study, Liraglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Liraglutide.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4259721106
07HumanNot a test of Liraglutide aloneCase report or seriesOther
In one man with bipolar I disorder, the manic episode remitted within one week after risperidone was increased and gabapentin added while liraglutide and mood stabilizers continued.
In plain wordsIn one man with bipolar I disorder and class III obesity, mania remitted after psychiatric medicines changed while liraglutide continued.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
Not applicableManic episode remission
Study
n = 1
Outcome group
Anxiety and mood · Mental health and mood
Source sentences
Summary
His manic symptoms remitted within one week, allowing discharge with liraglutide 1.8 mg, risperidone 3 mg, valproic acid and lamotrigine.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
During the weight-loss intervention, and temporally after liraglutide titration to 1.8 mg/day, he developed a manic episode (YMRS = 30), prompting an increase in risperidone and addition of gabapentin alongside continuation of mood stabilizers.
Summary · context
We report the case of a 57-year-old man with Bipolar I Disorder and class III obesity (BMI 47.7 Kg/m²) whose mood episodes were tightly linked to weight fluctuations. patients' psychiatric history began in 1986 with a manic episode and recurrent depressive and manic relapses over nearly four decades, often provoked by weight-loss attempts.
In this study, Liraglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Liraglutide.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4259721107

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
12 Oct 2026, 11:11 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 03:04 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

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Keywords

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