Well, I’ve known this forever, but according to this news story, it’s fairly ground-breaking research suggesting this: atypical anti-psychotics change metabolism. In lab rats given olanzapine (Zyprexa), abdominal fat and blood glucose were significantly increased compared to rats given the classic anti-psychotic haloperidol (Haldol) and rats who did not receive either drug. These are both symptoms of metabolic syndrome, which is a risk factor for heart disease and type 2 diabetes. So what did you say, newer anti-psychotics have fewer side effects? A smaller risk of extrapyramidal effects, maybe – and note that a smaller risk does not mean no risk -, but not less serious side effects. Besides, these measures were found after the rats had been exposed to the drug for a period of weeks. Several weeks to months is also the usual time period for evaluating effects on humans. However, I may have stopped Risperdal after 2 1/2 months, but most people are on atypical anti-psychotics for years, so I assume effects would be even worse over a longer time period.
