Psychiatria pre prax 5/2003

New information on weight gain and metabolic complications during treatment with psychotherapeutics

New antipsychotic drugs have resulted in principal change in quality of psychiatric care. Unfortunately, weight gain, development of diabetes and rise in serum lipid levels are the frequent side effects. It seems lately, that differences in occurrence of these side effects among particular psychotherapeutics are minor than previously assumed. All over the world, attention is being given to education of patients and thus risks of particular groups of drugs have become comparable. Each patient should be advised of necessity of dietary and regime arrangements to prevent metabolic complications.

Keywords: hyperlipoproteinemia, diabetes, schizophrenia, depression, education of patients.