Which of the following are key side effects of atypical antipsychotics?

Atypical antipsychotics, commonly used in the treatment of various psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, are associated with a range of side effects that are important for clinicians to recognize. Among these, weight gain, type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), and QT-segment prolongation are particularly notable.

Weight gain is a significant concern with many atypical antipsychotics, as they can lead to metabolic syndrome, which encompasses obesity, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia. This side effect is largely due to the impact these medications have on appetite and metabolism.

The risk of developing type 2 diabetes is heightened with prolonged use of certain atypical antipsychotics, such as olanzapine and clozapine. This metabolic side effect is essential for healthcare providers to monitor, especially in patients at higher risk for diabetes.

QT-segment prolongation is another critical side effect linked with some atypical antipsychotics, such as ziprasidone and clozapine. Prolonged QT can lead to serious cardiac arrhythmias, including torsades de pointes, making it necessary to assess cardiac health before starting and during treatment with these medications.

This combination of weight gain, the risk of type