Bipolar Today

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Doctor Steve Ponder wrote an interesting article yesterday about the side effects of what are called “atypical antipsychotics”, which are the latest generation of antipsychotic medications and widely used in treating bipolar disorder (including bipolar disorder in children). They include such medications as Zyprexa, Risperdal, Seroquel, Geodon and Abilify (known generically as olanzapine, risperidone, quetiapine, ziprasidone and aripiprazole, respectively). He brings forward concerns that patients on these medications are not being sufficiently warned about possible diabetes resulting from use of antipsychotic medications.

Commentary

For those on atypical antipsychotics, this article could be very helpful in preventing serious problems with diabetes down the line. While many people are aware of the problems with weight gain on atypical antipsychotics, few realize that diabetes itself may be a consequence. Doctor Ponder claims that in recent studies, it was shown that less that one-third of people on atypical antipsychotics are actually tested for loss of glucose control, despite the 2003 recommendation of the FDA that all patients on antipsychotics be so screened. Unfortunately, he never gives anymore information about the study, so I wasn’t able to track it down.

If you are on one of the above medications (or on any atypical antipsychotic), it would probably be a good idea to speak to your physician about testing at the very least for: “symptoms of hyperglycemia including polydipsia, polyuria, polyphagia, and weakness.” If you have any risk factors for diabetes or are diabetic, see the FDA recommendation for further recommended steps to take.

On a curious note, the article title is a little off-base. While the article mentions high blood pressure, all the FDA warnings and Doctor Ponder’s data concern diabetes. Perhaps Doctor Ponder didn’t title this article himself.

Related posts:

1. Inspector Says Antipsychotics Overused for Dementia in the Elderly
2. Some Antipsychotics Better For Acute Mania: The Lancet
3. BC Hospital Opens Clinic For Youth Taking Antipsychotics
4. Abilify Approved in Canada for Use in Some Teens
5. Generic Version of Olanzapine Approved By FDA