Dr. Jeffrey Lieberman Comments on Adverse Effects of Antipsychotic Drugs

New Findings Reported in JAMA's October 28 Issue

(October 28, 2009

)  Who: Jeffrey Lieberman, MD, Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry, Columbia Psychiatry

What: Adverse Effects of Antipsychotic Medications; New Study in JAMA published in the October 28th issue.

This important observational study confirms and extends findings from experimental studies that have found substantial weight gain and cardiometabolic risks associated with newer antipsychotics. Dr. Jeffrey Lieberman, Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Center and Director of the New York State Psychiatric Institute, led the CATIE study (Clinical Antipsychotic Trials of Intervention Effectiveness), which found that young people and those early in the course of schizophrenia are particularly vulnerable to the weight gain and cardiometabolic adverse effects of antipsychotic medications. “That these risks extend to children as young as 4 years old is not surprising, but represents critical information for clinicians and families who use or consider using these medications,” said Dr. Lieberman.

He added: “Although there are differences among antipsychotics regarding weight gain and cardiometabolic risks, none appear to be problem free. Calls for regular monitoring of weight and metabolic parameters in children and youth and others early in the course of antipsychotic treatment are clearly warranted. Mental health and primary care providers need to work together on the physical health as well as the mental health of patients on these medications.

Also important is the study authors’ call for careful consideration of the indications for the use of antipsychotics. In particular, there may be lower-risk alternative treatments for many nonpsychotic conditions that are now commonly treated with antipsychotics.”

For interviews with Dr. Lieberman, please contact Dacia Morris at (212) 543-5421.   

Read the complete study at JAMA