Acute Olanzapine and Lipid Response

Atypical antipsychotics are pharmaceutical drugs used to treat schizophrenia. Common side effects are weight gain, insulin resistance, and abnormal blood lipids. This increases the risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease in patients taking these drugs. In particular, olanzapine is a highly effective therapy for schizophrenia but is commonly associated with metabolic disturbances. It has previously been shown that the negative effects on insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism occur even after a single dose, independently of weight gain. These effects may be mediated by blocking the dopamine (D2) receptor. In this study the research team is investigating whether a single dose of olanzapine alters postprandial lipid metabolism after a high-fat drink. Olanzapine administered along with the high-fat drink will be compared to placebo or olanzapine plus bromocriptine (an activator of the D2 receptor).