Identifying Metabolic Risks With Antipsychotics and Monitoring and Management Strategies

Article Abstract

Mental health providers have an especially important responsibility to monitor thephysical changes that patients have in response to medication. The currentpublic health focus is on adiposity as a major risk factor for diabetes,coronary heart disease, insulin resistance syndrome, metabolic syndrome, andother diseases. Adiposity has an adverse effect on insulin action, which can lead to a cycle in which insulin loses itsability to stop the breakdown of fat. Because type 2 diabetes takes approximately2 decades to develop, patients with increased BMI can be at risk for adverseeffects to their physical health for many years. Because of the possibility that someantipsychotic treatments can lead to weight gain and metabolic changes andpossibly to severe physical illness, regular physical checks should be made.