Warnings-COLUMNS-Drugs & Supplements, April 2004

Risk of Diabetes Added to Warnings Accompanying 3 Atypical Antipsychotics

The manufacturers of atypical antipsychotics Abilify, Clorazil, Seroquel and Zyprexa recently issued letters to healthcare professionals informing them that patients using the drugs may be at risk of developing diabetes mellitus or hyperglycemia.

AstraZeneca, the maker of Seroquel, sent its letter regarding the labeling changes Jan. 30, while Eli Lilly (Zyprexa), Bristol-Myers Squibb (Abilify) and Novartis (Clorazil) released letters between March 1 and April 1.

The FDA has urged all manufacturers of all atypical antipsychotics, which are used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar mania, to include similar warnings.