**6.2.2 Follow-up monitoring**

The patient's weight should be reassessed at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after initiating or changing SGA therapy and quarterly thereafter at the time of routine visits. If a patient gains > 5% of his or her initial weight at any time during therapy, one should consider switching the medication. When switching, consideration should be given to all aspects of the individual's condition, the comparative risks and benefits of changing medications, and the individual's response to medication in managing the primary symptoms of the mental illness. In some cases, cost and availability may also be a consideration.

Fasting plasma glucose, lipid profile, and blood pressure should also be assessed 3 months after initiation of medication. Thereafter, blood pressure, plasma glucose values, lipid profile should be obtained annually or more frequently in those who have a higher baseline risk for the development of diabetes, dyslipidemia or hypertension.
