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Diabetes and antipsychotics

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paula1974

Well-Known Member
Messages
114
Location
West Sussex
I am type 2 on insulin and metformin. I have quite a few medical problems as well as diabetes and am on a lot of medication.
When I was diagnosed with diabetes 2 years ago my diabetic conssultant was worried about all the drugs, especially the quetiapine, which is an antipsychotic. In discussion with him and my psych team i then came off the quetiapine very slowly. However, my psychiatric symptoms have come back so back on the quetiapine.
My question is this, what is so bad about antipsychotics? My consulant is insistant that I come off it. Surely it is better ALL my problems are dealt with? Has anyone else had this experience? Please help!
 
Hi Paula, a quick GOOGLE search brought up loads of links regarding quetiapine and diabetes, and it looks after a quick scan of said sites that quetiapine can cause hyperglycaemia or high blood sugar which is why your doctors will not want you on it now you are diabetic, a couple of the web sites I looked at mentioned research that had shown that quetiapne can even cause diabetes due to its effect on blood glucose levels no doubt.

Is there no other drug that you can be put on that will control your psychotic symptoms?


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15291665
 
Thanks.
I had heard that quetiapine can cause diabetes but now I am diabetic and it wont ever go away, what is the problem with staying on the drug? Maybe Im being stupid, I dont know.
Over the ten years I have had psychiatric probs, I have tried many other drugs and quetiapine is the only one that works.
My last Hba1c was 6.9 and dont really seem to get very high bsls.
I will look at the link, thanks.
 


As Sid says.......it can cause Hyperglycaemia in Diabetic's and although your HbA1c is good it does NOT show any high levels that you may have had, or lows for that matter. Do you test daily, 2 hrs after meals etc ? That is the only true way to know what is happening, the HbA1c is just an indicator of a trend....nothing more.

There is another side effect of Quetiapine.........it can elevate Cholesterol and Tryglicerides. Something that can be a risk factor for strokes.

I am sure that because of these risks that is part of the reasons why they don't want you to take it any more. It is probably something that you should discuss fully with the Consultant and find out the real reason why from the 'horses mouth'......so to speak !
 
Sid Bonkers said:
a couple of the web sites I looked at mentioned research that had shown that quetiapne can even cause diabetes due to its effect on blood glucose levels no doubt.
Click to expand...

Woah I was on that stuff for 6 months and aftet stopping was when I was diagnosed with diabetes :shock:
 
Cugila,
I did have some highs when not looking after myself etc but since taking control my bsls are between 4-8. Very good, i think. These are before, 2 and 4 after. Im quite luckly as carbs such as bread and potatoes dont cause such a spike as they do in a lot of people on here.
I didnt know about the risk of stroke though. Trouble is, quetiapine really does keep my symptoms under control and, having suffered for years, it has been a real blessing.
I will talk to my consultant when I see him in 2 weeks.
 
Paula.
Glad to hear that your control is good and you aren't getting those highs.

I think this is one of those cases where sometimes the Diabetes has to take a back seat.......if the drug/s you are taking are working it may be that you need to stick with them despite the possible risks of side effects.

I had anti-Cancer drugs not so long ago and other treatments. My Diabetes control went haywire but those drugs did the trick......as you say you are going to see the Consultant on Thursday.....let us know how you get on.
 
I know what you mean. Very upsetting!! still, Alonso didnt so Im happy!
Anyway, back on topic. I will carry on taking the quetiapine til I see my consultant. I am on a low level of this drug at mo but will def have to go onto a theraputic level(much higher dose) soon. Think the diabetes has to play second fiddle to this as cant function without this drug. Will keep you informed.
 
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