January 28th, 2004

"Diabetes Risk Increased by Antipsychotic Drugs"

A widely prescribed class of antipsychotic drugs increases the risk of diabetes, warned a group of four prominent medical organizations. Their statement seconds the concerns of US regulators and researchers.

A statement published in the February issue of Diabetes Care by The American Diabetes Association, American Psychiatric Association, American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, and the North American Study of Obesity affirms that a number of health risks are associated with a certain group of antipsychotics. Atypical antipsychotics may increase the risk of obesity, diabetes, and high cholesterol, three conditions which also contribute to heart disease. The Food and Drug Administration told manufacturers in 2003 to include these risks on product labels, but few companies complied.

Atypical antipsychotics are prescribed for a number of mental illnesses, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, dementia, psychotic depression, autism, and developmental disorders. The drugs generate over $8 billion annually.

There are six major anti-psychotic medications: Novartis AG''s Clozaril, Johnson & Johnson''s Risperdal, Eli Lilly & Co.''s Zyprexa, AstraZeneca Pic''s Seroquel, Pfizer Inc.''s Geodon, and Bristol Myers Squibb Co.''s Abilify. Of these, Zyprexa and Clozaril carry the largest risk of weight fain, diabetes, and lipid disorders, according to the statement.

Zyprexa is often prescribed by doctors because it usually has fewer side effects (such as tremors and sedation) than other drugs in this category. Clozaril is also a popular drug, but carries an additional serious risk: a potentially life-threatening side effect stemming from reduction in the number of white blood cells.

"Physicians should consider using the other drugs-Seroquel, Geodon, and Abilify-until the issue has been clarified," claims Norman Sussman, professor of psychiatry at the New York University School of Medicine.

Manufacturers claim that there is no clear link between their drugs and diabetes, and that the benefits of using these medications outweigh any potential side effects.