Adverse Metabolic Effects of Conventional and Atypical Antipsychotics

The true incidence of both hyperglycemia and hypercholesterolemia induced by different typical or atypical medications is not known in Pakistan at this time. This study was aimed to compare the adverse metabolic effects of typical and atypical antipsychotics in patients of psychosis. Main outcome measures are Changes in Body Mass Index (BMI), fasting blood glucose and serum cholesterol levels following the initiation of treatment with typical and atypical antipsychotics. There is a strong need for assessment of patients for adverse metabolic effects before the initiation of treatment and in subsequent 8 weeks. The psychiatrist needs to focus on the patients having atypical antipsychotics for early detection of metabolic syndrome. A multi centre study, using a larger sample is recommended.