Posted by Cam W. on August 27, 2001, at 1:15:25
In reply to Re: diabetes and atypical anti-psychotics » Cam W., posted by Zo on August 26, 2001, at 22:28:15
Zo - Definitely no hard feelings; I said too much and have now adopted a wait and see attitude. I keep forgetting that I cannot save everyone, but I have a very strong, ominous feeling about the whole situation (call it a hunch; ie. hairs on my neck stand up).
There has been some take of using Glucophage™ (metformin). I first heard of this at a dynamic and thought-provoking presentation by Dr.Richard Petty (some of you may remember my post where I said that Dr.Petty considered schizophrenia and bipolar disorder to be different manifestations of the dysfunction - ie. same disorder, varied intensity -on a continuum).
Dr.Petty stated that, in his experience, 500mg of Glucophage, three times a day, prevented weight gain in a large number of his patients, with schizophrenia, started on Zyprexa. I have seen no large scale clinical or case studies confirming or denying these allegations. One could assume that someone who has a borderline propensity for type-II diabetes may not gain any weight taking Zyprexa, because the glucophage would prevent the hypertriglyceridemia (is that a word?) from turning into type-II diabetes.
I am not positive this theory works in real life (looks good on paper, though). I will have to wait for researchers to tease out the connection &/or mechanism) of the Zyprexa (Clozaril)/diabetes interaction, before I am convinced one way or the other.
That being said, Glucophage 500mg two or three times daily, in many cases, was enough to lower Zyprexa-induced triglyceride levels. Sometimes Diamicron™ (glicazide) or other newer oral antihyperglycemic was added; depending upon the level of control needed.
FYI - In cases like this that I followed, there was no significantly obvious decrease in weight, but there was better control of blood sugar levels. I believe that Dr.Petty said that the Glucophage "prevented" Zyprexa-induced weight gain.
Still, the Glucophage is worth a try, especially when trying to get blood sugar levels under control. A word of warning, though; Glucophage will make you "toot" (from my 6 yr. old's vernacular), a lot.
I hope that this is of some help. - Cam
poster:Cam W.
thread:76419
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010822/msgs/76534.html