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. 2021 Nov 8;11(6):311-319.
doi: 10.9740/mhc.2021.11.311. eCollection 2021 Nov.

Clinical pearls for the monitoring and treatment of antipsychotic induced metabolic syndrome

Clinical pearls for the monitoring and treatment of antipsychotic induced metabolic syndrome

Beth M DeJongh. Ment Health Clin. .

Abstract

Antipsychotic medications increase the risk of metabolic syndrome, which then increases the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and premature death. Routinely monitoring for signs of metabolic syndrome in patients taking antipsychotics allows for early detection and intervention. Psychiatric pharmacists can improve patient care through metabolic syndrome monitoring and recommendation of appropriate interventions. Monitoring for the metabolic adverse effects of antipsychotics, management of weight gain, and management of lipids and blood pressure are explored through 2 patient cases.

Keywords: antipsychotics; blood pressure; lipids; metabolic syndrome; psychiatric pharmacist; weight.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosures: I have nothing personal to disclose. Psychopharmacology Pearls are review articles intended to highlight both the evidence base available and/or controversial areas of clinical care for psychiatric and neurologic conditions as well as strategies of clinical decision-making used by expert clinicians. As pearls, articles reflect the views and practice of each author as substantiated with evidence-based facts as well as opinion and experience. Articles are edited by members of the Psychopharmacology Pearls Editorial Board as well as peer reviewed by MHC reviewers. This article was developed as part of the 2021 Psychopharmacology Pearls product for BCPP recertification credit. The course information and testing center is at https://cpnp.org/459431.

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