K I Melkersson1, M-L Dahl, A-L Hulting. 1. Sollentuna Psychiatric Polyclinic, Sollentuna Hospital, 191 35, Sollentuna, Sweden. kristina.melkersson@cns.ki.se
Abstract
RATIONALE: With the antipsychotic drugs available today, especially with some of the newer, atypical antipsychotics, metabolic side effects, such as weight gain, diabetes mellitus and lipid abnormalities, have become a complication to the drug therapy that have to be recognized and treated. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article is to suggest guidelines for prevention and treatment of adverse effects of antipsychotics on glucose-insulin homeostasis and lipid metabolism, whereas strategies for management of antipsychotic-induced weight gain are summarized elsewhere. METHOD: The guidelines are based on results of experimental and clinical studies presented in the article, as well as on a recently published review of 180 articles in the field. RESULTS: Both conventional and atypical antipsychotics can indirectly, by causing obesity, promote development of insulin resistance and type-2 diabetes. In addition, some atypical agents probably directly induce hyperinsulinemia, followed by weight gain, insulin resistance and drug-induced, sometimes insulin-dependent, diabetes. CONCLUSION: In this article, guidelines for the management of adverse metabolic effects of antipsychotics are described.
RATIONALE: With the antipsychotic drugs available today, especially with some of the newer, atypical antipsychotics, metabolic side effects, such as weight gain, diabetes mellitus and lipid abnormalities, have become a complication to the drug therapy that have to be recognized and treated. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article is to suggest guidelines for prevention and treatment of adverse effects of antipsychotics on glucose-insulin homeostasis and lipid metabolism, whereas strategies for management of antipsychotic-induced weight gain are summarized elsewhere. METHOD: The guidelines are based on results of experimental and clinical studies presented in the article, as well as on a recently published review of 180 articles in the field. RESULTS: Both conventional and atypical antipsychotics can indirectly, by causing obesity, promote development of insulin resistance and type-2 diabetes. In addition, some atypical agents probably directly induce hyperinsulinemia, followed by weight gain, insulin resistance and drug-induced, sometimes insulin-dependent, diabetes. CONCLUSION: In this article, guidelines for the management of adverse metabolic effects of antipsychotics are described.