Treatment of Preexisting Diabetes With Olanzapine

Letter to the Editor

Sir: The treatment of diabetes in patients with schizophrenia can be a challenge for both clinicians and patients. In recent years, novel ("atypical") antipsychotics have become the preferred pharmacologic intervention, both to control symptoms and because of their apparent ability to improve social functioning and quality of life. Among these, both clozapine and olanzapine have been associated with the emergence or worsening of abnormalities of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. We report on 2 patients who developed type 2 diabetes mellitus while taking clozapine and were subsequently treated with olanzapine.