Drugs that lead to diabetes

Antipsychotic drugs, often used to treat schizophrenia, can cause hyperglycemia and diabetes, a new alert has revealed.

First off the mark with a new warning is Geodon (ziprasidone), which urges doctors to think carefully about prescribing the drug to any patient who is at greater risk of developing diabetes through family history or obesity. Patients should begin a fast if they develop hyperglycaemia while on the drug - or, heaven forbid, they could just stop taking the drug. When drug treatment is stopped, the problem tends to go away, the warning admits.

Other reactions already known include irregular heart rhythms or palpitations, loss of consciousness, nausea, constipation, and abnormal muscle movements including tremor.