Developing a metformin prescribing tool for use in adults with mental illness to reduce medication-related weight gain and cardiovascular risk

Abstract

A novel, easy-to-use, one-page reference has been developed for busy clinicians that can be laminated and displayed in consulting rooms and psychiatric inpatient units to address weight gain and obesity associated with antipsychotic medications in people with mental illness.

Metabolic and clinical profiles of young people with mood or psychotic disorders who are prescribed metformin in an inpatient setting

“…These findings are unsurprising given raised insulin resistance measures, in particular HOMA2-IR scores, are common in this cohort, and often sufficiently severe to justify pharmacological interventions. 4 While guidelines have been developed for metformin prescription in adults with mental illness, 11,12 there are currently no prescription guidelines for youth with mental health concerns. Based on this sample, of those not prescribed metformin, 22% had elevated HOMA2-IR levels, 41% were classified as being overweight or obese and 57% were currently taking antipsychotics.…”

“…To date, the prescription of metformin in people with severe mental illness has focused largely on middle-age and older persons, those with established psychotic disorders, those experiencing weight gain in association with the use of antipsychotic medications or those with established laboratory evidence of metabolic dysfunction. 11,12 However, the clinical utility of metformin in a youth mental health setting remains largely unexplored.…”

Prise en charge des comorbidités cardio-vasculaires chez les jeunes patients souffrant d’une psychose débutante : état des lieux et perspectives thérapeutiques

“…Chez l'adulte, l'association metformine et prise en charge hygiénodiététique est plus efficace pour limiter la prise de poids que la prise en charge par metformine ou règles hygiénodiététiques seules [47]. Un outil a été développé pour aider à la prescription de metformine chez les adultes souffrant de troubles psychiatriques [48] (Fig. 1).…”

“…Des conseils supplémentaires sur les médicaments sont fournis par les Fig. 1 Adaptation française de la fiche de prescription de metformine pour les adultes souffrant de maladies psychiatrique de Smith et al [48].…”

Metformin prescription in psychiatry

“…We thank Smith et al for the publication of a metformin prescribing tool 1 for people with severe mental disorders (SMD). The importance of physical health in people with SMD is now well recognised.…”