An evaluation of the metabolic effects of antipsychotic medications in patients suffering from psychiatric illness

Present study evaluates the effects of antipsychotic medications on metabolic parameters in patients suffering from psychiatric illness. The study was carried out at tertiary care teaching hospital, department of psychiatry after obtaining written informed consent from the patients. They were randomized into three groups - Group I (n=31) (haloperidol 10 mg/day, orally), Group II (n=34) (risperidone 4-6 mg/day, orally) and Group III (n=38) (olanzapine 10 mg/day, orally). Metabolic parameters [fasting blood sugar (FBS), post prandial blood sugar (PP2BS), glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), serum cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein (S.LDL) and high density lipoprotein (S.HDL)] were measured at the end of 3 and 6 months. Data was analysed using a suitable statistical tests. In group II significant changes (p<0.05) were observed in FBS, HBA1C, cholesterol, S.LDL and S.HDL while in group III significant changes (p<0.05) were observed in all the metabolic parameters at the end of 6 months. In group III, FBS, PP2BS, HbA1C, Serum cholesterol, triglyceride and S.LDL levels were increased 9.41%, 7.09%, 8%, 6.25%, 7.68% and 9.92% respectively, at the end of 6 months. Patients treated with haloperidol showed minimum changes in metabolic parameters at the end of 6 months. Olanzapine is associated with more disturbances in metabolic parameters as compared to risperidone and haloperidol.