Pharmacy PEBC Practice Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Weight gain is widely recognized as a common side effect of many antipsychotic medications, particularly those within the atypical category, such as clozapine, olanzapine, and quetiapine. These medications can lead to metabolic changes that promote increased appetite and alter metabolism, contributing to significant weight gain in some patients. This effect is particularly concerning because it can lead to additional health risks, including obesity-related conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

In contrast, while other side effects like headaches, hypoglycemia, and insomnia can occur with various medications, they are not as strongly associated with antipsychotics as weight gain is. Headaches can occur due to numerous factors and are not specific to antipsychotics. Hypoglycemia is typically related to medications used for diabetes management rather than antipsychotics. Insomnia may also occur but is not a direct or common effect linked specifically to antipsychotic treatment, which often aims to help with sleep disturbances in some cases. Thus, the link between antipsychotic medications and weight gain makes it the most appropriate answer for this question.