Effect of Antipsychotic Medications on Glucose and Lipid Levels

Severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder, are associated with excess cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Cardiovascular risk in psychiatric disorders is partly related to antipsychotic therapy, especially second-generation or atypical antipsychotics. Some antipsychotic medications are associated with proatherogenic conditions including insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. In particular, olanzapine and clozapine have been consistently demonstrated to promote insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. Ziprasidone and amisulpiride may be associated with more favorable metabolic effects. Many of the published data relating to metabolic effects of anti-psychotics originate from retrospective studies. However, prospective randomized-controlled data are emerging, and the latest evidence is described here.