Antipsychotics and Metabolic Syndrome

Antipsychotic medications have dramatically increased in prescriptions, including additional FDA-approved usages for bipolar and depression as well as off-label use. Side effects of these drugs, such as abdominal weight gain, lipid and blood pressure changes, and elevations in fasting glucose, may contribute to metabolic syndrome.  What are the impacts of increased use of antipsychotic medications on diabetes? Join host Dr. Steven Edelman and his guest, associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, Dr. David Henderson, as they discuss the need for healthcare providers to be proactive: understanding the patient's risk factors, medical history and the risk-benefit ratio in order to treat effectively.