Effects of pioglitazone on metabolic abnormalities, psychopathology, and cognitive function in schizophrenic patients treated with antipsychotic medication: A randomized double-blind study

In the sample of patients from the U.S., pioglitazone was an efficacious and safe treatment for glucose and lipid metabolic abnormalities in schizophrenic patients treated with AP, and it may also have beneficial effects on depressive symptoms. It may be particularly useful in patients whose weight gain effects from antipsychotics have plateaued and where weight loss is not the primary goal. The risk vs. benefits of longer term treatment with pioglitazone has to be carefully evaluated for individual patients.