Metabolic Side Effects of the Atypical Antipsychotic Olanzapine in an Inpatient Population of Adults With Developmental Disabilities
Hasse Leonard, Ph.D. & Dagmar Hoheneck, M.D.

Metabolic lab results of an inpatient population of adults with developmental disabilities who were on the atypical antipsychotic olanzapine were investigated. Medical charts of these individuals were reviewed in order to obtain baseline data about weight, cholesterol, glucose and lipid panels. The same data was gathered after the introduction of olanzapine. The results indicated that on average, individuals taking olanzapine for at least six months gained 19 lbs. Diet was a controlled variable. No other statistically significant results were found. These findings are consistent with the literature on weight gain and second generation antipsychotics. This article is the first of its kind. Past articles have reported side effects with the schizophrenic population.