Reprise: The effect of metformin on anthropometrics and insulin resistance in patients receiving atypical antipsychotic agents: A meta-analysis

Abstract

Atypical antipsychotics are well-established agents for the treatment of various psychiatric illnesses, although they are associated with adverse metabolic effects. There have been a few methodologically sound studies that have assessed the approach of adding metformin to atypical antipsychotics to reduce body weight. A systematic literature review of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane was performed from the earliest possible dates to December 31, 2008. Metformin was found to be associated with a decrease in weight, waist circumference, bmi, and insulin resistance (p<0.005). The data supports the consideration of metformin for the reduction of metabolic effects developed from the atypical antipsychotics in clinical practice. Ultimately, additional rigorous controlled trials with the various antipsychotics and at different time points in the development of the metabolic effects are needed.