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Can diabetes mellitus be induced by medication?
1Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Schneider Children's Hospital, North Shore Long Island Jewish Health System, New Hyde Park, New York 11040, USA. emasaito@yahoo.com
Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology
|November 13, 2002
Summary
Psychotropic medications, particularly atypical antipsychotics combined with divalproex sodium, may increase diabetes mellitus risk in adolescents. This study highlights three cases in obese African American adolescents with a family history of diabetes.
Area of Science:
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- The link between psychotropic medication use and diabetes mellitus is established in adults.
- Limited research exists on this association in pediatric populations, with only two prior case reports.
Observation:
- Three obese African American adolescents with a family history of diabetes mellitus developed the condition.
- These adolescents were undergoing combined treatment with divalproex sodium and atypical antipsychotics.
Findings:
- The cases suggest a potential association between combined divalproex sodium and atypical antipsychotic use and the onset of diabetes mellitus in susceptible adolescents.
- Risk factors included obesity and a family history of diabetes.
Implications:
- This study underscores the need for careful monitoring of metabolic changes in adolescents receiving these psychotropic medications.
- Further research is warranted to confirm causality and elucidate the mechanisms of psychotropic medication-induced diabetes mellitus in this age group.
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