Metabolic monitoring after starting an antipsychotic is widely recommended but often missed, usually because nobody owns the 12-week check. The simplest fix is to order the baseline bloods and weight on the day of the first prescription and to book the repeat at the same time, with the result going to a named clinician.
Weight alone is not enough: HbA1c or fasting glucose and lipids belong in the same set, along with blood pressure and waist circumference where possible.
- Order baseline weight, HbA1c or fasting glucose, lipids and blood pressure before or at the first prescription.
- Book the 12-week repeat on the same day.
- Name who reviews the result, psychiatry or primary care.
- Share the plan in writing with the patient's GP.
Why it matters
The early check is the one most often lost between services.
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