Successful treatment of hyperglycemia with liraglutide in a hospitalized 27-year-old patient with schizophrenia: A case report

BACKGROUND: Antipsychotics are associated with abnormalities in glucose metabolism in patients with schizophrenia. Liraglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, is Food and Drug Administration approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, ways to maintain the long-term stability of psychotic symptoms and balance the disadvantages of obesity, diabetes, and other metabolic disorders caused by antipsychotic medications remain unclear. In this study, we present a case of weight gain and hyperglycemia in a schizophrenia patient who received antipsychotic polypharmacy for 6 years. CASE SUMMARY: A 27-year-old man with olanzapine and sodium valproate-treated disorganized schizophrenia was admitted to a diabetes outpatient clinic. He was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (fasting blood glucose, 20 mmol/L) and obesity (body mass index, 38.58 kg/m(2)). The patient had been treated with glargine (40 IU/d) and metformin (1.5 g/d) and showed a poor response for 2 mo. Two years of liraglutide treatment resulted in stable blood glucose levels and weight loss in addition to a maintained stable mental status for a long time. The biological activities of GLP-1 significantly improved glucose levels and body weight in the schizophrenia patient treated with antipsychotic medications. CONCLUSION: Liraglutide administration can be considered an effective alternative treatment for abnormalities in glucose metabolism in schizophrenia patients receiving antipsychotics.