Health & Medicine
Certain Antidepressants may Increase Diabetes Risk
Kathleen Lees
First Posted: Sep 25, 2013 01:48 PM EDT
Researchers at the University of Southampton found that people taking antidepressants may be at a higher risk for developing a metabolic disease. However, the study authors note that they are not completely certain at this time if the medication is responsible for an increased risk of all metabolic health conditions, such as diabetes.
The study reviewed previous findings from 22 studies and three systematic reviews that show the effects of antidepressants on diabetes risk.
Their findings suggest that those taking antidepressants could be at a higher risk for diabetes. However, various medications may determine how high the risk is based on certain side-effects involved.
Obvious reasons that might cause an increased risk of diabetes involving several types of antidepressants may be due to the fact that significant weight gain can be a side-effect.
These and other recent findings show that doctors should be particularly vigilant when prescribing antidepressants.
"Antidepressants are used widely in the UK, with a significant increase in their use recently. Our research shows that when you take away all the classic risk factors of type 2 diabetes; weight gain, lifestyle etc, there is something about antidepressants that appears to be an independent risk factor. With 46 million prescriptions a year, this potential increased risk is worrying. Heightened alertness to the possibility of diabetes in people taking antidepressants is necessary until further research is conducted," Dr. Katharine Barnard, Health Psychologist from the University of Southampton said, via a news release.
More information regarding the findings can be seen via the journal Diabetes Care.
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First Posted: Sep 25, 2013 01:48 PM EDT
Researchers at the University of Southampton found that people taking antidepressants may be at a higher risk for developing a metabolic disease. However, the study authors note that they are not completely certain at this time if the medication is responsible for an increased risk of all metabolic health conditions, such as diabetes.
The study reviewed previous findings from 22 studies and three systematic reviews that show the effects of antidepressants on diabetes risk.
Their findings suggest that those taking antidepressants could be at a higher risk for diabetes. However, various medications may determine how high the risk is based on certain side-effects involved.
Obvious reasons that might cause an increased risk of diabetes involving several types of antidepressants may be due to the fact that significant weight gain can be a side-effect.
These and other recent findings show that doctors should be particularly vigilant when prescribing antidepressants.
"Antidepressants are used widely in the UK, with a significant increase in their use recently. Our research shows that when you take away all the classic risk factors of type 2 diabetes; weight gain, lifestyle etc, there is something about antidepressants that appears to be an independent risk factor. With 46 million prescriptions a year, this potential increased risk is worrying. Heightened alertness to the possibility of diabetes in people taking antidepressants is necessary until further research is conducted," Dr. Katharine Barnard, Health Psychologist from the University of Southampton said, via a news release.
More information regarding the findings can be seen via the journal Diabetes Care.
See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone