Spanish researchers have quantified an average increase of 2 % of body weight in people using these psychotropic drugs.
- The repeated taking of antidepressants is strongly associated with weight gain, more precisely an average increase of 2 % of weight.
- The new or interrupted use is associated with weight gain, but in a non-significative manner in the impact of obesity.
- The authors highlight the importance of monitoring the evolution of weight in people under antidepressant treatment, as well as other markers of cardiometabolic health.
In the event of depression, antidepressants are prescribed to reduce symptoms and improve the mood of patients. These treatments are also indicated for other mental disorders. Like all drugs, the latter can cause side effects, such as diurnal drowsiness, constipation, oral drought, hypotension, loss or weight gain, especially at the start of treatment or when increasing doses, according to Health insurance. Recently, scientists from the Research Institute of the DEL MAR Hospital (Spain) have confirmed, in a study, the link between taking antidepressants and weight gain.
As part of their work, published in the journal Frontiers in Psychiatrythe team followed 3,127 adults for six years, including 1,701 women, an average of 55 years and living in northeast Spain. At the beginning and end of the intervention, the participants were questioned about their use of antidepressants, their weight, their size, smoking, physical activity, food quality, education and depressive symptoms. “We have defined four trajectories of use of antidepressants: never appeal, new use during the study, initial use interrupted, repeated use at the beginning and at the end of the intervention”, said the researchers. They also took into account the well -known bidirectional relationship between depression and obesity, as well as other associated factors, such as bad eating habits and the lack of physical exercise.
Taking antidepressants causes a 2 % increase in weight
Among the volunteers, 16.4 %said they had taken antidepressants, either constantly throughout the study period (5.1 %), either starting to take it during the intervention (6.2 %), or by taking them at the start but by arresting them later (5.1 %). During the six years of follow-up, all adults have gained weight, more precisely an average increase of half a kilo and 24.5 % of participants gained more than 5 % of their weight. However, weight gain was more pronounced in those who followed an antidepressant treatment. The authors revealed weight gain “1.78 % for an interrupted first use of antidepressants, 2.08 % for new use during follow -up, and 1.98 % for repeated use. In 2,404 people with excess fat in the body at the start of the study, the rating ratio to become obese was 2.06 for the repeated use of antidepressants.”
Antidepressants: users are “more likely to gain weight and develop obesity”
“All people taking antidepressants were more likely to gain weight and develop obesity. This risk is even more important for those who use these drugs continuously”, said Camille Lassalemain author of the study. According to Gabriela Lugon, who participated in research, “We cannot just prescribe antidepressants for their positive effects without taking this side effect into account.” Given the global epidemic of obesity and the widespread use of antidepressants, weight management and metabolic surveillance should thus be encouraged and integrated into the recommendations for monitoring depression, in parallel with the prescription of antidepressants.
