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Acute Hyperglycemia Associated with Short-Term Use of Atypical Antipsychotic Medications

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Abstract

The prevalence of metabolic disturbances associated with long-term use of antipsychotic medications has been widely reported in the literature. The use of atypical antipsychotics for the treatment of delirium in the intensive care unit (ICU) has gained popularity due to a lower potential for adverse effects compared with conventional antipsychotics. However, current studies evaluating safety and efficacy of antipsychotics in the ICU setting do not include metabolic parameters as a potential adverse effect that requires monitoring. It is thought that long-term adverse effects of antipsychotics may be out of context for the intensive care setting. A literature review was conducted to investigate the prevalence of acute hyperglycemia associated with short-term use of antipsychotics, with the purpose of reviewing evidence that hyperglycemia may occur even with short-term use of atypical antipsychotics. A MEDLINE search for acute hyperglycemia from short-term use of antipsychotics resulted in studies involving animal models and healthy volunteers. These studies indicate that acute hyperglycemia may occur after short-term treatment. A review of the literature shows preliminary evidence to suggest that atypical antipsychotics impact glucose sensitivity and induce insulin resistance even after a single dose. Although no studies have been conducted evaluating the impact of hyperglycemia in critically ill patients from the short-term use of atypical antipsychotics for the treatment of delirium, the potential to affect clinical outcomes exist and warrants further research in this area.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge John Papadopoulos, B.S., Pharm.D., FCCM, BCNSP for his assistance with reviewing and commenting on a draft of the manuscript.

Conflict of interest statement

T.V. Liao and S.V. Phan have no conflict of interest to report. No financial assistance was used to assist in the preparation of this manuscript. This work has not been presented previously.

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  1. Mercer University College of Pharmacy, 3001 Mercer University Drive, DuVall-128, Atlanta, GA, 30341, USA

    T. Vivian Liao

  2. University of Georgia College of Pharmacy, Southwest Georgia Clinical Campus, 1000 Jefferson Street, Albany, GA, 31701, USA

    Stephanie V. Phan

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Correspondence to T. Vivian Liao.

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Liao, T.V., Phan, S.V. Acute Hyperglycemia Associated with Short-Term Use of Atypical Antipsychotic Medications. Drugs 74, 183–194 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40265-013-0171-7

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