evaluating the effect of 8-week treatment with risperidone on fasting blood glucose of patients with schizophrenia

objective : this study was designed to evaluate the effects of risperidone on fasting blood glucose (fbg) in patients with schizophrenia . method: seventy five non-diabetic patients with schizophrenia (based on diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, fourth edition criteria) entered this cross-sectional study. patients did not receive any medications (including risperidone) affecting serum fbg levels for at least 2 weeks prior to the initiation of the study. patients received the mean dose of 4.5mg (range 2-12mg) risperidone for 8 weeks. pregnant women, patients with diabetes mellitus and a history of any major heart disease were excluded from this study.additionally, none of the patients should have received electroconvulsive therapy within 6 months prior to the initiation of the antiphsychotics.fbg levels were measured at the initiation and 8 weeks after starting risperidone. results: fifty one patients completed the study. the mean fbg level was increased from 88.9mg/dl (baseline) to 94.4 mg/dl at week 8 (p =0.003). this 8-week study showed that fbg levels may increase in schizophrenic patients receiving risperidone. conclusion: measuring and monitoring fbg before the initiation and during the treatment with risperidone is suggested.