Background: Weight gain, and its associated complications such as the devel
opment of diabetes, is becoming increasingly recognized as an important pot
ential side effect of the novel antipsychotic drugs.
Methods: Two retrospective cases are described in which patients with schiz
ophrenia developed diabetes while taking the antipsychotic medication rispe
ridone.
Results: Both patients had preexisting risk factors for diabetes and develo
ped insulin resistance in the context of weight gain. Both cases necessitat
ed medical intervention and one patient requires ongoing treatment with ins
ulin.
Conclusions: Although the exact mechanism of antipsychotic induced diabetes
remains obscure, weight gain appears to be a significant risk factor. Care
ful monitoring of weight and fasting glucoses is recommended for any patien
t taking novel antipsychotic medications. (C) 2001 Society of Biological Ps
ychiatry.