Cardiometabolic Risk of Antipsychotic Medications in Youth

Cardiometabolic Risk of Antipsychotic Medications in Youth
JAMA Oct 28, 2009 Pg.1765-1773

Many of us, who see people with metabolic syndrome, particularly in young people, have been startled by the sharp rise in new patients who seem to have been started on antipsychotic medication. Many others who are no longer considered “youths” have similar problems.

The Cardiometabolic Syndrome (AKA METABOLIC SYNDROME, DYSMETABOLIC SYNDRONE, and SYNDROME X) is now regarded to be much more of a clinical problem than just prediabetes since the pre-atherosclerotic component is much worse and more dangerous for early death than previously thought.

The weight changes were most striking. 10% to 36% transitioned to overweight or obese within 11 weeks. These changes were not felt to be due worsening psychiatric disorders. The concern is that youths with this weight and metabolic status will accelerate the cardiometabolic syndrome and its complications. The medications involved in this study include,

Risperidone

Quetiapine (Seroquel)

Abilify (Aripiprazole)

Zyprexa

Ziprasidone This was part of the project because it is in the same class but there were not enough people to get statistically significant results.

To trade a serious psychiatric illness for another serious chronic disease is quite a decision. It is something to seriously think about.

We have done very well with the use of Byetta for reversal of the weight loss and well as reversing the metabolic syndrome. We have been using the Byetta for metabolic weight loss before this present announcement.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169396.php
Dr. Joe