A case report and literature review of olanzapine-associated hyperglycemia with previous history of gestational diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Olanzapine (Zyprexa) package labeling includes a warning for hyperglycemia, stating physicians should consider the risks and benefits when prescribing olanzapine to patients with an established diagnosis of diabetes mellitus or having borderline increased blood glucose levels. A case report of olanzapine-associated hyperglycemia in a patient with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is presented and literature review is discussed. CASE REPORT: A 33-year-old female with a past medical history of bipolar disorder, cocaine and amphetamine use disorder, hypertension, and GDM was initiated on olanzapine 5 mg PO daily which was subsequently titrated to 25 mg daily. On day 15 of admission, she developed signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia, with blood glucose readings >500 mg/dL. Insulin was initiated, olanzapine was discontinued, and her blood glucose began improving. She was later discharged on ziprasidone 20 mg PO twice daily. DISCUSSION: There have been several case reports published on olanzapine-induced hyperglycemia. This is the first case report to specifically recognize a history of GDM as a potential risk factor for developing olanzapine-associated hyperglycemia. CONCLUSION: Adverse effect profiles and patient-specific risk factors should be considered when selecting appropriate antipsychotic treatment. Olanzapine may not be an ideal medication choice for a person with a history of GDM; however, if olanzapine is indicated, then close blood glucose monitoring is recommended.

Lithium-related medication problems on nonpsychiatric inpatient medical units.

PURPOSE: Results of a study of medication-related problems (MRPs) associated with lithium use on nonpsychiatric inpatient medical units are reported. METHODS: In a single-center, retrospective study, the records of all patients hospitalized over a 21-month period who received lithium or had a documented serum lithium concentration during hospitalization were evaluated. The primary objective was to identify patient-specific factors associated with lithium MRPs on nonpsychiatric inpatient medical units. Secondary objectives included characterization of lithium MRPs. Identified MRP occurrences were further evaluated to determine if an intervention was necessary to resolve the MRP and whether or not an intervention was made. RESULTS: A total of 150 patients were included in the study sample. One or more lithium MRPs were identified in 85% of the patients, with a total of 255 lithium MRPs identified. None of the patient-specific factors analyzed were significantly associated with MRP occurrence. Of the 128 patients in whom a lithium MRP occurred, 92.2% (n = 118) were judged to be appropriate candidates for interventions as defined per the study definitions; among those 118 patients, such interventions were documented for only 40.7% (n = 48). CONCLUSION: Lithium MRPs were found to have occurred frequently on nonpsychiatric inpatient medical units at 1 hospital. Laboratory test- related MRPs and drug-drug interactions were the most commonly identified types of MRPs. Interventions to address MRPs were not made in the majority of patients; however, interventions were more frequently made when psychiatry consultation was involved.

Evaluation of oral antipsychotic supplementation of select second-generation long-acting injectable antipsychotics in an acute-care psychiatric setting.

INTRODUCTION: Long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics were developed to increase medication adherence in patients with schizophrenia. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved LAI dosing provides guidance regarding oral antipsychotic supplementation. Previous studies have concluded concomitant use of oral and LAI antipsychotics requires further investigation. The aim of this study was to examine oral antipsychotic supplementation among patients receiving select second-generation LAIs. METHODS: Patients were included if they were admitted to an inpatient psychiatric unit and received a second-generation LAI. The primary outcome was to determine the percentage of patients receiving oral antipsychotic supplementation prescribed in accordance with FDA recommendations. Secondary outcomes described oral supplementation prescribed in an inconsistent manner with FDA recommendations and identified patient-specific predictors associated with oral supplementation prescribed consistent with FDA recommendations. RESULTS: Of the 422 patients evaluated, 376 patients met inclusion criteria. Oral supplementation was prescribed in a manner consistent with FDA recommendations in 30% of patients. The following predictors were associated with oral supplementation prescribed in accordance with FDA recommendations: LAI initiation (odds ratio 1.868, 95% confidence interval 1.120-3.125) and the use of the once-monthly paliperidone LAI (odds ratio 20.278, 95% confidence interval 10.472-39.873). DISCUSSION: In the patient population evaluated, oral supplementation of LAI antipsychotics were prescribed in 30% of patients in a manner consistent with FDA recommendations. Of the patients who were prescribed oral antipsychotic supplementation inconsistent with FDA labeling, 223 patients were prescribed oral supplementation longer than the recommended duration and 8 patients received oral supplementation for a shorter duration than recommended.

Dysphagia with second-generation antipsychotics: A case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: All antipsychotics are associated with extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS). These can present as dysphagia, esophageal dysmotility, or aspiration, all of which may not be recognized as EPS. CASE REPORT: A 62-year-old with schizophrenia, prescribed olanzapine 5 mg daily, presented agitated and endorsed difficulty swallowing. Speech therapy suggested her complaints were related to either reflux or dysmotility. Esophageal manometry showed her lower esophageal sphincter was not fully relaxing, and identified an esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction. Despite therapeutic dilation, oral intake remained poor. Following an increase in olanzapine, she developed EPS, her dysphagia worsened, and she was choking on food. Following a switch to aripiprazole her EPS and appetite improved, and she ceased complaining of dysphagia. DISCUSSION: Dysphagia has been reported with first- and second-generation antipsychotics. A review of the second-generation antipsychotic literature identified case reports of dysphagia with clozapine (n = 5), risperidone (n = 5), olanzapine (n = 2), quetiapine (n = 2), aripiprazole (n = 1), and paliperidone (n = 1). Postulated mechanisms of antipsychotic-induced dysphagia include that it may be an extrapyramidal adverse reaction or related to anticholinergic effects of antipsychotics. Management of dysphagia includes discontinuing the antipsychotic, reducing the dose, dividing the dose, or switching to another antipsychotic. Complications of dysphagia include airway obstruction (eg, choking, asphyxia), aspiration pneumonia, and weight loss. Additional complications include dehydration, malnutrition, and nonadherence to oral medications. CONCLUSION: It is important to recognize symptoms of dysphagia and esophageal dysmotility in antipsychotic-treated patients. Intervention is necessary to prevent complications.

Psychiatric admission in adolescent transgender patients: A case series.

Gender dysphoria is defined as a marked incongruence between one's natal gender and gender identity that causes significant distress. It may be present in children but often fades prior to puberty. Gender dysphoria is more likely to persist into adulthood when present in adolescents. Due to the common occurrence of psychiatric comorbidities, gender dysphoria is a contributing factor leading to outpatient and inpatient psychiatric care in children and adolescents. There is currently limited available literature on psychiatric hospitalization and management in transgender adolescents. A PubMed search revealed no case reports regarding psychiatric admission for transgender adolescents with comorbid anxiety, depression, or suicidal ideation. Due to the lack of literature related to psychiatric management of transgender adolescent patients, this case series briefly describes the past medical history, pharmacotherapy, and discharge diagnoses of 5 transgender adolescents admitted to an inpatient psychiatry unit. In this case series, 4 of the 5 patients identified as female to male and ages ranged from 13 to 17 years. All patients had a history of depressive symptoms with suicidal ideation as the key factor prompting admission. All patients were managed on psychotropic pharmacotherapy, and 3 of the 5 patients were on pharmacotherapy related to gender transition. Anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation were common comorbidities leading to psychiatric hospitalization of adolescent transgender patients in various stages of gender transitioning in this case series.