Cardiometabolic Risks in Schizophrenia and Directions for Intervention, 3: Psychopharmacological Interventions.

Patients with schizophrenia have increased prevalence rates for many cardiometabolic risk factors; the prevalence and severity of these risks increase after the institution of antipsychotic medication. Nearly 2 dozen different pharmacologic interventions have been trialed to prevent or attenuate antipsychotic-related cardiometabolic changes. Metformin (usually 1,000-1,500 mg/d) has emerged as the best-studied intervention; in short- and intermediate-duration randomized controlled trials, it has been shown to bring about improvements in weight and other anthropometric indices, in fasting sugar and other glycemic control indices, and in total cholesterol and other lipid metabolism indices. Topiramate and aripiprazole are other possible interventions with support in literature; besides improving metabolic outcomes, these drugs may improve indices of psychopathology, as well. Encouraging though the findings are, there are many unanswered questions that require attention in future research.