Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-94fs2 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-17T13:10:31.420Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Factors in Antipsychotic Drug Selection: Tolerability Considerations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 November 2014

Abstract

With the widespread use of atypical antipsychotics over the past several years, adverse metabolic effects have emerged as the most serious medical consequences of pharmacotherapy with some of these agents. Initially, weight gain and obesity were observed (especially with clozapine and olanzapine), but subsequently, type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia became apparent as well. Further, many reports suggest that sudden and severe (occasionally fatal) diabetes ketoacidosis (DKA) can emerge during treatment with some atypical antipsychotics, even in the absence of adiposity. A marked increase of serum lipids (especially triglycerides) has also been reported, to varying degrees, with different atypicals. This article reviews the data regarding metabolic dysfunction in patients with psychosis (schizophrenia and bipolar disorder). Populations with psychosis have a 2–3-fold higher prevalence of diabetes even before treatment with any antipsychotics, suggesting a possible genetic linkage or comorbidity; this was confirmed with glucose regulation studies in schizophrenia and mania. The induction of type 2 diabetes with atypicals has further increased the prevalence of noninsulin-dependent diabetes from about 6%–8% to 11%–15% according to recent studies, and even higher rates of subclinical hyperglycemia. Serious weight gain (eg, 26–29 lbs after 1 year of clozapine or olanzapine treatment) is an important risk factor, but sudden DKA has now been reported in patients with minimal weight gain, suggesting alternative mechanisms, such as insulin resistance, as a direct effect of some atypicals. Psychiatrists can reduce the risk of metabolic disorders in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder by avoiding the use of certain atypicals as first-line treatment in patients with a personal or family history of diabetes, obesity, and hyperlipidemias. Regulatory agencies in some countries have already taken action in this regard.

Type
Academic Supplement
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2003

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

1.Tandon, R, Jibson, MD. Efficacy of newer generation antipsychotics in the treatment of schizophrenia. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2003;28(suppl 1):926.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
2.Casey, DE. Motor and mental aspects of acute extrapyramidal syndromes. Acta Psychiatr Scand Suppl. 1994;380:1420.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3.Lemmens, P, Brecher, M, Van Baelen, B. A combined analysis of double-blind studies with risperidone vs placebo and other antipsychotic agents: factors associated with extrapyramidal symptoms. Acta Psychiatr Scand. 1999;99:160170.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4.Tandon, R. Safety and tolerability: how do newer generation “atypical” antipsychotics compare? Psychiatr Q. 2002;73:297311.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5.Marken, PA, Haykal, RF, Fisher, JN. Management of psychotropic-induced hyperprolactinemia. Clin Pharm. 1992;11:851856.Google ScholarPubMed
6.Petty, RG. Prolactin and antipsychotic medications: mechanism of action. Schizophr Res. 1999;35(suppl):S67S73.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
7.David, SR, Taylor, CC, Kinon, BJ, Breier, A. The effects of olanzapine, risperidone, and haloperidol on plasma prolactin levels in patients with schizophrenia. Clin Ther. 2000;22:10851096.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
8.Allison, DB, Mentore, JL, Heo, M, et al.Antipsychotic-induced weight gain: a comprehensive research synthesis. Am J Psychiatry. 1999;156:16861696.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
9.Kane, JM, Carson, WH, Saha, AR, et al.Efficacy and safety of aripiprazole and haloperidol versus placebo in patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. J Clin Psychiatry. 2002;63:763771.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
10.Beasley, CM Jr.Safety of olanzapine. Monograph 15. J Clin Psychiatry. 1997;14:1921.Google Scholar
11.Weiden, P, Mackell, J, MacDonell, D. Obesity as a risk factor for antipsychotic noncompliance. Schizophr Res. In press.Google Scholar
12.Koller, E, Schneider, B, Bennett, K, Dubitsky, G. Clozapine-associated diabetes. Am J Med. 2001;111:716723.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
13.Muench, J, Carey, M. Diabetes mellitus associated with atypical antipsychotic medications: new case report and review of the literature. J Am Board Fam Pract. 2001;14:278282.Google ScholarPubMed
14.Koller, EA, Doraiswamy, PM. Olanzapine-associated diabetes mellitus. Pharmacotherapy. 2002;22:841852.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
15.Koller, E. US Food and Drug Administration. FDA MedWatch. 2001, 2002.Google Scholar
16.Ganzini, L, Heintz, RT, Hoffman, WF, Casey, DE. The prevalence of tardive dyskinesia in neuroleptic-treated diabetics. A controlled study. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1991;48:259263.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
17.Raja, M, Azzoni, A. Diabetes is not a risk factor for tardive dyskinesia: a retrospective observational study. Hum Psychopharmacol. 2002;17:6163.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
18.Glick, ID, Romano, SJ, Simpson, G, et al. Insulin resistance in olanzapine- and ziprasidone-treated patients: results of a double-blind, controlled 6-week trial. Poster presented at: 154th Annual Meeting of the American Psychiatric Association; May 7–11, 2001; New Orleans, La.Google Scholar
19.McQuade, RD, Jody, D, Kujawa, MJ, et al. Long-term weight effects of aripiprazole versus olanzapine. Poster presented at: 156th Annual Meeting of the American Psychiatric Association; May 17–22, 2003; San Francisco, Calif.Google Scholar
20.Koro, CE, Fedder, DO, L'Italien, GJ, et al.An assessment of the independent effects of olanzapine and risperidone exposure on the risk of hyperlipidemia in schizophrenic patients. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2002;59:10211026.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed