Pregnancy exposure to second-generation antipsychotics and the risk of gestational diabetes

INTRODUCTION: Assessment of the metabolic safety of second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) is mandatory in pregnant women, where the occurrence of metabolic complications and, especially, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) may severely impact on pregnancy and fetal outcomes. AREAS COVERED: The aim of this article is to review published data reporting the occurrence of GDM during SGA treatment, and to establish whether or not this iatrogenic complication is a relevant concern in clinical practice. Medical literature information published in any language since 1996 was identified using MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and The Cochrane Library. All articles reporting metabolic complications in pregnancies exposed to single, specific SGAs were acquired, without methodological or language limitations. EXPERT OPINION: Among studies assessing the metabolic safety of specific SGAs, we have 18 cases of GDM overall: 5 cases involve clozapine (CLO), 9 olanzapine (OLA) - the SGA agent that shows the highest number of reported cases of pregnancy exposure - and 2 each for quetiapine and risperidone. Four of these cases, 2 involving CLO and 2 OLA, were complicated by serious fetal and/or neonatal consequences. Such reports of SGA-associated GDM, together with preliminary data coming from retrospective and prospective studies, may represent signals of a potential safety issue.