Antipsychotic Drugs Raise Risk of Diabetes in Children

The use of antipsychotic drugs raise the risk of diabetes in children, according to a study released Wednesday.

The study published in JAMA Psychiatry showed that adults who take these medications, including risperidone and olanzapine have elevated risk of developing Type 2 diabetes compared with those who took other types of medications available for the same disorders.

This was the conclusion made by the researchers after tracking people between the age of 6 and 24 who are also enrolled in Tennessee's Medical program for 12 years.

According to the results of the study, the increased risk occurred within the first year children started taking antipsychotic drugs.

The risks persisted even after they stopped taking the drugs.

Wayne A. Ray, PhD, preventive medicine professor at Vanderbilt and co-author of the study advised parents to ask pediatricians for other types of drugs for behavioral disorders.

"My advice would be for parents to be cautious about starting an antipsychotic," Dr. Ray said.

According to the USA Today, prior studies indicated an increased risk for diabetes among adults who took these antipsychotic medications but studies focused on younger people have never been this extensive.

"Weight gain of 20 to 30 pounds typically occur among people who take these types of antipsychotic drugs," said Dr. Ray.