After the Psychiatric Medication, Does the Diabetes go Away?
By Eileen Parker
Diabetes is a possible side effect of certain atypical antipsychotic drugs such as, Seroquel (quetiapine fumarate), Abilify (aripiprazole), Clozaril or Leponex (clozapine), Geodon (zipracidone HCl), Risperdol or Rispen or Belivon (risperidone), and Zyprexa (olanzapine).
Details or Sample: Diabetes is a possible side effect of certain atypical antipsychotic drugs such as, Seroquel (quetiapine fumarate), Abilify (aripiprazole), Clozaril or Leponex (clozapine), Geodon (zipracidone HCl), Risperdol or Rispen or Belivon (risperidone), and Zyprexa (olanzapine).
According to a September 1, 2004 article on the University of Utah Health Sciences website, “Hyperglycemia, including ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar coma, or death can occur in patients treated with atypical antipsychotics. All atypical antipsychotics may cause this effect. Monitor any patient treated with an atypical antipsychotic for symptoms of hyperglycemia including polydipsia, polyuria, polyphagia, and weakness. Patients need regular fasting blood glucose testing for patients who develop hyperglycemia (diabetes) while on atypical antipsychotics. Patients who already have diabetes also need regular testing for worsening glucose control.
A fact sheet on Seroquel, an atypical antipsychotic, from the pharmacy down the street states, “Laboratory and/or medical tests such as eye exams or blood sugar levels may be done to monitor your progress or to check for side effects…DIABETICS: THIS MEDICINE MAY AFFECT YOUR BLOOD SUGAR. Check blood sugar levels closely…”
Yet, according to an article in
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=22315
Medical News Today, Apr 5, 2005, few doctors are regularly ordering the testing.
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