Atypical antipsychotic monitoring: A survey of patient knowledge and experience

AbstractObjectives: To examine the knowledge and experiences of side-effects and their monitoring in patients prescribed atypical antipsychotic medications.Methods: A tick box survey was designed to ask questions of patients prescribed atypical antipsychotic medications about side-effects and monitoring for them. This survey was distributed anonymously to all suitable outpatient attendees over a three month period who had been prescribed atypical antipsychotic medication for at least one year.Results: Seventy-four of the 90 surveys (82%) distributed were returned complete. Fifty-six (76%) of those surveyed said they were currently experiencing side-effects. Twenty-two (39%) said they had not told their psychiatrist about the side-effects. Weight gain was most commonly complained of (49%). Forty-five (61%) said that they had had no monitoring blood tests in the past year. Fifty-one (69%) did not know that certain monitoring blood tests were recommended.Conclusions: Patients prescribed atypical antipsychotic medications are not currently being monitored as best practice dictates. It cannot be assumed that GPs will pursue this monitoring. More resources are needed for mental health services so that adequate monitoring services can be provided.

Download Full-text

Metabolic Side Effects in Patients Using Atypical Antipsychotic Medications During Hospitalization

Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services ◽

10.3928/02793695-20180108-05 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 56 (4) ◽

pp. 28-37 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Gül Dikeç ◽

Leyla Baysan Arabaci ◽

Gülçin Bölük Uzunoglu ◽

Selin Demet Mizrak

Keyword(s):

Side Effects ◽

Atypical Antipsychotic ◽

Antipsychotic Medications ◽

Metabolic Side Effects ◽

Atypical Antipsychotic Medications

Download Full-text

Risk of Death with Atypical Antipsychotic Medications for Dementia

10.1093/med/9780190625085.003.0016 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Adam P. Mecca ◽

Rajesh R. Tampi

Keyword(s):

Side Effects ◽

Atypical Antipsychotic ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Clinical Case ◽

Atypical Antipsychotics ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Antipsychotic Medications ◽

Risk Of Death ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Atypical Antipsychotic Medications

This chapter provides a summary of a landmark meta-analysis that investigated the risks of atypical antipsychotic use to treat psychosis, aggression, or agitation in patients with dementia. The chapter briefly reviews the study design, as well as implications and limitations. A relevant clinical case concludes the chapter. In summary, atypical antipsychotic use for 6 to 26 weeks was associated with increased risk of death (Odds Ratio of 1.54 for antipsychotic vs placebo). There were no differences in risk between individual medications, disease severity, indication for antipsychotic, or treatment setting. In patients with psychosis, agitation, or aggression due to dementia, the efficacy of atypical antipsychotics is questionable and their use comes with considerable risks of side effects and adverse events.

Download Full-text

Dietary fiber and probiotics for the treatment of atypical antipsychotic-induced metabolic side effects: study protocol for a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Trials ◽

10.1186/s13063-021-05123-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Chenchen Liu ◽

Dongyu Kang ◽

Jingmei Xiao ◽

Yuyan Huang ◽

Xingjie Peng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Metabolic Syndrome ◽

Weight Gain ◽

Side Effects ◽

Dietary Fiber ◽

Atypical Antipsychotic ◽

Double Blind ◽

Antipsychotic Medications ◽

Double Blind Placebo ◽

Metabolic Side Effects ◽

Atypical Antipsychotic Medications

Abstract Background Atypical antipsychotic medications, which are effective for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, are associated with features of metabolic syndrome, such as weight gain, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance. Although there are a few studies on the effects of dietary fiber or probiotics on weight loss in obese people, no published trials have reported the efficacy of dietary fiber and probiotics on reducing atypical antipsychotic-induced weight gain. Methods For this 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 100 patients with a weight gain of more than 10% after taking atypical antipsychotic medications were recruited. Participants were randomized to four groups as follows: probiotics (840 mg twice daily (bid)) plus dietary fiber (30 g bid), probiotics (840 mg bid) plus placebo, placebo plus dietary fiber (30 g bid), or placebo group. The primary outcome was the change in body weight. Secondary outcomes included changes in metabolic syndrome parameters, appetite score, biomarkers associated with a change in weight, and gut microbiota composition and function. Discussion To date, this is the first randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded trial investigating the efficacy of dietary fiber and probiotics alone and in combination to reduce metabolic side effects induced by atypical antipsychotic medications. If effective, it is possible to conclude that dietary fiber and probiotics can reduce atypical antipsychotic-induced metabolic side effects. Trial registration number ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03379597. Registered on 19 November 2017.

Download Full-text