Psychiatric drugs linked with metabolic problems

Small study suggests atypical antipsychotics may increase diabetes and heart disease risks

Newer psychiatric drugs used to treat children for conditions such as aggressive behaviour, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia can disrupt their metabolism and increase their risk for diabetes and heart disease, a small study suggests.

All six of the children on moderate or high doses of one of these drugs, and three of five children on low doses, had evidence of a pre-diabetic condition called insulin resistance.

"The insulin resistance seen in these children was greater than what would be expected from weight gain alone, suggesting there is a factor distinct from excess weight that directly induces insulin resistance."