A FOCUS ON HEALTH: METABOLIC CONSEQUENCES OF ANTIPSYCHOTIC THERAPY

Donna A. Wirshing, M.D., 11301 Wilshire Boulevard, Building 210 B151, Los Angeles, CA 90073

The novel antipsychotic drugs (NAPDs) offer significant advantages over conventional antipsychotic drugs (CAPDs) due to their favorable extrapyramidal side effects (EPS) profiles. Unfortunately these medications are associated with other side effects, such as weight gain. Compounding obesity onto serious mental disorders such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and manic depressive illness increases our patients’ morbidity and mortality. Obesity can negatively impact treatment adherence. This session aims to provide the participant with up-to-date information about the relative liabilities of novel antipsychotic medications on weight gain, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertriglyceridemia. Additionally, this session will provide some guidelines for monitoring these side effects.