I have often wondered about haphazard prescribing of anti-psychotics, especially ones that promote the accumulation of fat in the midsection. It is well known that abdominal fat increases the risk of heart disease and type II diabetes.

Medications are not something, I take lightly. I only take them if I am in pain or my "illness" is impairing my ability to function. When I was on olanzepine, I gained about 10 to 15 pounds. I'm a small lady (5, 3"; 115 lb). People noticed the weight in my chest and rear. The drug really worked but it made me so damn hungry. No matter what I eat and how much, I never felt satiated. Fortunately, the drug induced hyperphagia never caused any health problems.

I knew two people who died prematurely, while taking olanzepine for schizophrenia. Both gained an enormous amount of weight shortly after they commenced treatment. One of these individuals was reluctant to get checked out, even though he complained about terrible indigestion shortly before he died. This was a sign that a heart attack was imminent. Both these individuals were men who smoked. One of them used a lot of drugs and drank. Obviously the olanzepine wasn't the sole reason for their premature deaths.

This makes me wonder about the off label use of anti-psychotics. People are often prescribed these drugs for problems, such as insomnia q.h.s. (when they don't have a psychotic illness).

People taking anti-psychotics should be monitored by a medical doctor, especially if they have a family history of type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease, drink, use drugs, and smoke. This should be mandatory.