Antidepressants Cause Diabetes

Depression And Diabetes: Is There A Link?

Diabetes is a serious condition, and living with it can be a challenge. It can take a toll on your emotions. People with the disease are twice as likely to get depressed as people who don’t have it. Depression is a problem on its own, and it can also keep you from taking good care of yourself. That can lead to high blood sugar levels and diabetes complications. So if you think you might be depressed, tell your doctor. You can take some steps to feel better. The Link Between Diabetes and Depression Depression is a complex disease. Its root causes can be tied to genes, your environment, and emotions. Managing diabetes can be stressful and time-consuming. The lifestyle and diet-related limits can make life seem less fun. Depression Symptoms There are several warning signs, including: Sadness Irritability Lack of interest in things you once enjoyed Pulling away from your social life Can't concentrate Insomnia (trouble falling and staying asleep) Lots of guilt or feeling worthless Loss of energy, or fatigue Changes in appetite Observable mental and physical sluggishness If you (or someone you love) has diabetes and show signs of depression, tell your doctor right away. How Is It Diagnosed? Your doctor will make the call based on the symptoms you tell him about. Lab tests aren't used to diagnose depression. How Is It Treated? Your doctor will work with you to control your depression. If he suggests you try medication, he can prescribe one or more of these antidepressants: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) affect the way your brain uses a chemical called serotonin. Changing the balance of this chemical may help your brain cells receive messages better and boost your mood. Examples of this type of antidepressant include citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro Continue reading >>

The Risk Of New-onset Diabetes In Antidepressant Users – A Systematic Review And Meta-analysis

Abstract Antidepressant Drugs (ADs) are among the most commonly prescribed medications in developed countries. The available epidemiological evidence suggests an association between AD use and higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, some methodological issues make the interpretation of these results difficult. Moreover, very recent studies provided conflicting results. Given the high prevalence of both diabetes and AD use in many countries, clarifying whether this association is causal is of extreme relevance for the public health. The aim of the present study is to provide an up-to-date evaluation of the evidence in support of a causal role of ADs in inducing diabetes. Methods and findings A systematic literature search was conducted to identify relevant studies in MEDLINE (PubMed), PsycINFO, and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (IPA) through 31st December 2016. Only studies assessing the incidence of new-onset diabetes in subjects treated with ADs were included. Results were pooled using a random-effects meta-analysis. Moreover, we extensively reviewed the role of the different sources of bias that have been proposed to explain the association between AD and diabetes. Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria. In the meta-analysis, the association between AD use and diabetes was still evident after the inclusion of the recent negative studies [pooled relative risk = 1.27, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.19–1.35; p<0.001]. None of the biases proposed by previous authors seemed able to fully explain the observed association. This updated meta-analysis confirms the association between AD use and incident diabetes. It still remains a matter of debate whether single ADs exert a different effect on the risk of diabetes. Given the possible hetero Continue reading >>

Will Antidepressants Give You Diabetes?

Antidepressants have vastly improved the quality of life for millions by helping them cope with feelings of sadness, anxiety, hopelessness, and more. But the medications could be putting people at risk for a seemingly unrelated physical problem. Taking antidepressants may increase your risk for developing type 2 diabetes, concludes a new systematic review from researchers at the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom. After examining the findings of more than 20 studies, use of antidepressants—including SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs, and TCAs—was associated with greater likelihood of having type 2 diabetes, regardless of other diabetes risk factors like obesity. Researchers won’t go as far as to say that antidepressants cause diabetes, but the correlation between the two is clear. As study participants took higher levels of antidepressants for longer periods of time, diabetes incidence increased. The reasons appear to be two-fold: Most antidepressant medications are known to cause weight gain, which may lead to increased insulin resistance that can ultimately cause diabetes. Factors beyond excess pounds could also be at play, too. In some studies, antidepressant users had an increased diabetes risk regardless of weight gain, suggesting that there may be something about the medication that alters insulin resistance, consequently affecting how the body processes sugars. The news is unsettling for several reasons. First, people with diabetes are already more likely to be depressed than those who don’t have the disease, and therefore may more likely to take antidepressants than those without diabetes. What’s more, record numbers of Americans are using antidepressants. (Thirteen percent of the general population and nearly a quarter of women ages 30-64 report taking Continue reading >>

Antidepressant Side Effects

Antidepressant Warnings: There have been 151 warnings from 11 countries (Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, United Kingdom and United States) and the European Union warning that antidepressants cause harmful side effects. These include the following (note that some warnings cite more than one side effect, so the list below may not be equal to the total number of warnings): 37 warnings on antidepressants causing suicide risk or suicidal behavior 27 warnings on antidepressants causing cardiovascular disorders 25 warnings on antidepressants causing heart problems 20 warnings on antidepressants causing Serotonin Syndrome 19 warnings on antidepressants causing blood pressure changes or high or low blood pressure 19 warnings on antidepressants causing newborn complications 16 warnings on antidepressants causing birth defects 13 warnings on antidepressants causing hostility or aggression 12 warnings on antidepressants causing agitation 12 warnings on antidepressants causing liver problems 11 warnings on antidepressants causing withdrawal reactions 9 warnings on antidepressants causing abnormal bleeding 9 warnings on antidepressants causing involuntary movements 9 warnings on antidepressants causing self-harm 8 warnings on antidepressants causing blood disorders 7 warnings on antidepressants causing anxiety 6 warnings on antidepressants causing hallucinations 6 warnings on antidepressants causing mania or psychosis 6 warnings on antidepressants causing seizures or convulsions 5 warnings on antidepressants causing eye problems 4 warnings on antidepressants causing allergic reactions 4 warnings on antidepressants causing gastrointestinal problems 4 warnings on antidepressants causing lack of efficacy 4 warnings on antidepressants caus Continue reading >>

Patient Education: Diabetic Neuropathy (beyond The Basics)

DIABETIC NEUROPATHY OVERVIEW Neuropathy is the medical term for nerve damage. Neuropathy is a common complication of type 1 and type 2 diabetes; up to 26 percent of people with type 2 diabetes have evidence of nerve damage at the time that diabetes is diagnosed [1]. A generalized type of neuropathy, known as polyneuropathy, is the most common type of diabetic neuropathy. Other types of neuropathy can also affect people with diabetes, but will not be discussed here. Signs and symptoms of diabetic neuropathy include loss of sensation and/or burning pain in the feet. Early detection of diabetes and tight control of blood sugar levels may reduce the risk of developing diabetic neuropathy. Treatments for diabetic neuropathy are available, and include several elements: control of blood glucose levels, prevention of injury, and control of painful symptoms. DIABETIC NEUROPATHY RISK FACTORS In people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, the biggest risk factor for developing diabetic neuropathy is having high blood sugar levels over time. Other factors can further increase the risk of developing diabetic neuropathy, including: Coronary artery disease Increased triglyceride levels Smoking High blood pressure DIABETIC NEUROPATHY SYMPTOMS The most common symptoms of diabetic neuropathy include pain, burning, tingling, or numbness in the toes or feet, and extreme sensitivity to light touch. The pain may be worst at rest and improve with activity, such as walking. Some people initially have intensely painful feet while others have few or no symptoms. Diabetic neuropathy usually affects both sides of the body. Symptoms are usually noticed first in the toes. If the disease progresses, symptoms may gradually move up the legs; if the mid-calves are affected, symptoms may develop in the hands. Continue reading >>

Antidepressants Increase Risk Of Diabetes, Heart Attack, And Dementia

Extensive studies show that antidepressant medications increase the risk of diabetes. Other concerns like heart disease and dementia are also suspect. America is in a sea of prescription drug use and many individuals struggle with adverse effects. Oftentimes, the medications are prescribed with no cessation of use in sight. Long-term adverse effects may not be known, understood, or perhaps not even revealed by drug companies, yet the consumer faces a number of challenges that might be dismissed as aging, stress, or just bad luck. Information is the key to making informed choices. If you are on antidepressant medication, be aware! [Jump to: Nutritional Options] Antidepressants and New Onset Diabetes: A Disconcerting Trend A 2012 study evaluated three groups of adult participants (total number of participants 168,435) who were free of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer at the baseline. Participants were followed for several years. After reviewing and adjusting for diabetes risk factors, high cholesterol, hypertension, and BMI/body mass index, it was found that the participants who used antidepressant medications had an increased risk of new onset diabetes compared to those who did not use antidepressant meds. Both selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors/SSRI’s (e.g. Prozac, Zoloft, etc) and tricyclic antidepressants were associated with the elevated risk of new onset diabetes. Another 2012 study evaluated 44,715 adults. Researchers evaluated antidepressants (SSRI, SNRI, tricyclic antidepressants,) and benzodiazepines. During the eight-year study, 6.6 percent or 2,943 individuals developed diabetes which was attributed to antidepressant use. A 2013 systematic review and meta-analysis studies found similar findings and continued trend. It was found that antidepr Continue reading >>

The Link Between Mental Trauma And Diabetes

TIME Health For more, visit TIME Health. Women with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have a two-fold increased risk for type 2 diabetes, according to a new study. “When we are under stress we are more likely to get sick, but women with PTSD are in this extreme stress response a lot of the time,” says study author Karestan Koenen, an epidemiology professor at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. The new study, published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry, looked at 49,739 women participating in the Nurses’ Health Study II to assess the link between PTSD symptoms and type 2 diabetes over 22 years. They found that women with the most symptoms had double the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and that the association increased based on the number of symptoms women experienced. “It’s so important that people understand PTSD isn’t just in veterans. Most PTSD is just in regular people in the community,” says Koenen. One of the most surprising findings in the study was that using antidepressants and having a higher body mass index (BMI) accounted for about half of the increased risk for type 2 diabetes in women with PTSD. Past research has linked PTSD to having a higher BMI, with some research suggesting that elevated stress response could result in cravings for highly caloric food and lead to weight gain. The antidepressant link is the most unexpected. An obvious explanation for the link is that some antidepressants cause weight gain, but the researchers argue weight gain isn’t caused by all antidepressants and therefore cannot account for all of the effect. “It’s probably one of the most interesting findings and I don’t have a good explanation for it,” says Koenen. The researchers say it’s possible that extreme stres Continue reading >>

Antidepressants Can Cause Weight Gain, Diabetes

Antidepressants taken by hundreds of thousands of people may increase the chances of developing diabetes, researchers warn. A major study involving more than a million patients has shown that those taking all antidepressant pills are at far higher risk from the condition. Academics from Southampton University think this may be because antidepressants cause weight gain which in turn leads to type 2 diabetes. But despite the strong link, they cannot be sure that the pills are definitely causing the condition. Patients on antidepressants are more likely to be overweight so have a higher risk of developing diabetes in the first place than healthy individuals. The numbers of Britons taking antidepressants has soared in the last decade and more than 50 million prescriptions were handed out by GPs last year compared to just 20 million in 1999. But experts say doctors are handing out the pills too freely without considering the possible long-term side effects. In one of the largest studies of its kind, academics from Southampton University looked at 25 research papers that involved just over a million patients. The study, published in the journal Diabetes Care, found many patients were developing type 2 diabetes - the commonest form - after they had been prescribed antidepressants, which suggests the pills cause the illness. Continue reading >>

Antidepressants That Cause High Blood Sugar

Most people do not realize that drugs such as antidepressants can actually raise blood sugar levels. High blood sugar is the nonprofessional’s term for hyperglycemia and describes the fact that blood glucose levels are higher than they should be. Normal levels should be between 70 mg/dl and 150 mg/dl, with a normal increase immediately after ingestion of food and being at its lowest point just before the first meal of the day. Causes of High Blood Sugar Most people associate high blood sugar with diabetes, the most common cause of hyperglycemia. However, certain drugs can also contribute to symptoms of high blood sugar; they are diuretics, estrogens, beta-blockers, salicilates, phenytoin, lithium and corticosteroids. Since many antidepressants cause, or contribute to, high blood sugar, if you are diabetic and receive a prescription for any antidepressants, you should remind your medical provider of your diabetes. Olanzapine and Fluoxetine Under the brand name of Symbyax, fluoxetine, a serotonin reuptake inhibitor, and olanzapine, an antipsychotic drug, are combined to treat bipolar disorder and manic depression. Olanzapine is the part of this drug cocktail that can cause hyperglycemia. If you have diabetes and take Symbyax, or any drug with olanzapine, you should closely monitor your blood sugar levels. Zyprexa is just one of the other antidepressant drugs that contain olanzapine. Abilify Abilify, by the generic name of aripiprazole, is another antidepressant that can have a negative effect on blood-sugar levels. Those who already have diabetes or who could be in danger of diabetes will need to have their blood sugar levels monitored. Abilify is an antipsychotic used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar mania and adolescent schizophrenia. Seroquel Seroque Continue reading >>

Antidepressants (depression Medications)

What is an antidepressant medication? Depression is a serious condition that often can be effectively treated with available therapies. Many antidepressants have been developed over the years. The newer classes of antidepressants are better tolerated and associated with fewer drug interactions than the older class of antidepressants. Side effects and drug interactions are barriers to successful treatment. Some side effects of antidepressants resolve with continued use while other side effects can be managed by dose reduction or adding other therapies. Appropriate management of side effects and avoidance of drugs that may interact with antidepressants may improve the success of antidepressant therapy. This article discusses side effects and potential drug interactions of the major antidepressant classes. How do antidepressants work? Antidepressants are the most prescribed drug for depression. The exact mechanism of action of antidepressants is unknown. The prevailing theory is that antidepressants increase the concentration of one or more brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) that nerves in the brain use to communicate with one another. The neurotransmitters affected by antidepressants are norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine. The different classes of antidepressants differ in the neurotransmitters they affect. This determines some of their side effects and potential drug interactions. All available antidepressants are effective, and for most cases of depression there is no good evidence that any antidepressant is more effective than another. Side effects, potential drug interactions, and therapy compliance are major factors that influence a doctor's selection of antidepressants for a patient. Physical Symptoms of Depression in Pictures Continue reading >>

Dangerous Drugs

At their very best, drugs are supposed to help people who are sick or injured. Unfortunately, many drugs can cause serious side effects. In some cases, filing a lawsuit is the best recourse if someone is injured because of side effects from a drug that are a result of negligence by a medical professional or pharmaceutical company. Pharmaceutical companies earn tremendously high profits. For example, the Pfizer made $245 billion between 2004 and 2008. Eli Lilly made $36 billion during the same period from just one drug (Zyprexa). By comparison, the fines paid out by the biggest drug companies was only around $7 billion between 2004 and 2010. Profits Versus Consequences Ratio Drives Drug Companies In some cases, this can make them reckless because of how quickly they rush new drugs to the market. The benefits versus monetary fines and consequences ratio help to make drug companies irresponsible regarding the creation and release of new drugs. Unfortunately, consumers are the ones who pay the highest costs. Each and every day, Americans are either hurt or killed by prescription drugs that probably shouldn’t be on the market. The FDA approves around 24 new drugs per year, including many with serious side effects and long-term health risks. These dangerous drugs get onto the market due to dishonest clinical trials, not reporting negative results and other flawed conduct by the drug companies. Other problems include using just a small group of test subjects and only studying the drugs and side effects for a short period. Legal Action and Compensation is Possible Filing a lawsuit is often the only recourse that injured persons have against unethical drug companies. In many cases, dangerous drugs can cause injuries and chronic conditions that greatly reduce a person’s quali Continue reading >>

Antidepressants

Drugs used to treat clinical depression, a medical condition characterized by long-standing feelings of sadness, apathy, and hopelessness. People with diabetes are especially prone to depression: By some estimates, 15% to 30% of people with diabetes may suffer from depression at any given time. Depression may worsen diabetes control by making people less active and less vigilant about their diabetes care. Many people feel “down” or “blue” some of the time, but sadness that lasts two weeks or more or interferes with a person’s ability to carry out daily tasks or to enjoy formerly enjoyed activities are signs of depression, in which the brain is not functioning properly. Other signs of depression include having insomnia or sleeping too much, loss of appetite and weight loss (or eating too much and gaining weight), and lack of energy. Since depression can be debilitating and carries the risk of suicide, it should be considered a serious condition. If you experience symptoms of depression, be sure to consult your health-care team. In certain cases, antidepressants may be warranted, and health-care professionals now have a number of different types of antidepressants to choose from. One of the first types of antidepressants, which became available in the late 1950’s, are the tricyclic antidepressants, which include imipramine (brand name Tofranil), amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and desipramine (Norpramin). These drugs are as effective as the newer antidepressants but have more unpleasant side effects, which include dry mouth, constipation, bladder problems, sexual dysfunction, blurred vision, and drowsiness. Another older type of antidepressant, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as tranylcypromine (Parnate), can benefit people wi Continue reading >>

About Sertraline

Sertraline is a type of antidepressant known as an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor). It is often used to treat depression, and also sometimes panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Sertraline helps many people recover from depression, and it has fewer unwanted effects than older antidepressants. Sertraline comes as tablets which are available only on prescription. Key facts It usually takes 4 to 6 weeks for sertraline to work. Side effects such as feeling sick, headaches and trouble sleeping are common. They are usually mild and go away after a couple of weeks. Sertraline can affect an unborn baby. Tell your doctor straight away if you're trying to get pregnant or become pregnant while taking it. Sertraline can cause withdrawal symptoms. Don't stop taking it without talking to your doctor. Sertraline is also called by the brand name Lustral. Who can and can't take sertraline Sertraline can be taken by adults for depression or obsessive compulsive disorder. Sertraline can be taken by children aged 6 to 17 but only for obsessive compulsive disorder. Check with your doctor before starting to take sertraline if you: have an allergy to sertraline or any of its ingredients have a heart problem as sertraline can speed up or change your heartbeat have ever taken any other medicines for depression - some rarely used antidepressants can interfere with sertraline to cause very high blood pressure even when they have been stopped for a few weeks are trying to become pregnant, are already pregnant or you are breastfeeding - sertraline is usually not recommended in pregnancy or while breastfeeding have an eye problem called glaucoma because sertraline can increase the pressure in your eye If you have diabetes, sertra Continue reading >>

Antidepressants Not Depression Associated With Obesity

There is a major contributor to the so-called "obesity epidemic" which never gets cited in the press--the antidepressant drugs which are the most frequently prescribed class of drugs in the pharmacopoeia. Now a study that analyzes data from the Canadian National Population Health Survey (NPHS), a longitudinal study of a representative cohort of household residents in Canada, finds a strong correlation between the use of SSRIs, Effexor, and the development obesity. Lest you think that this is because depression makes people fat, this same study found no correlation between a history of a major depressive episode and the development of obesity. It's the drugs, folks. Here's the study: Major Depression, Antidepressant Medication and the Risk of Obesity Scott B. Patten et al. Psychother Psychosom 2009;78:182-186 (DOI: 10.1159/000209349) Vol. 78, No. 3, 2009 How widespread use of these antidepressant drugs is, is very hard to pin down. Anecdotally, it sometimes seems like everyone who has good health insurance is on them. A report published in 2005 that analyzed Canadian data reported that "...one in five women (19%) in the province over the age of thirty received at least one prescription for SSRIs in the period between August 1, 2002 and July 30, 2003." Canada's public health system controls access to prescriptions in the way the US system does not. The data for the US is 7 years old and at that time the CDC reported that 1 in 10 American Women were taking antidepressants which were the single most highly prescribed class of drugs in the US. That 2002 report also reported that antidepressant use had tripled over the previous decade, which makes it likely that antidepressant use has risen significantly in the 7 years since those statistics were analyzed. The Canadian report Continue reading >>

Many Psychiatric Drugs Have Serious Effects On Body Weight

Unexpectedly losing a loved one launched 18-year-old Debra* into an episode of major depression, triggering dangerous delusions that landed her in a hospital. Her doctor immediately started her on an antidepressant and on risperidone (Risperdal), an antipsychotic. In little more than a month, her weight shot up by 15 pounds. “Gaining weight made it even more difficult for me to want to leave my house because I felt self-conscious,” Debra says. In the medical community, antipsychotics are well known to cause significant weight gain. Gains of 20 to 35 pounds or more over the course of a year or two are not unusual. Debra's doctor never warned her, though, leaving her feeling like she was losing herself both mentally and physically. The situation is not uncommon, according to psychiatrist Matthew Rudorfer, chief of the somatic treatments program at the National Institute of Mental Health, who points out that although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration carefully tracks acute side effects such as seizures, it pays less attention to longer-term complications such as weight change. Perhaps taking their cue from the FDA, doctors tend to downplay weight-related risks that accompany many psychiatric drugs, Rudorfer says. But for Debra and many others, these side effects are not trivial. The three types of psychiatric drugs that can seriously affect body weight are reviewed below. Antipsychotics According to a 2014 review of eight studies, as many as 55 percent of patients who take modern antipsychotics experience weight gain—a side effect that appears to be caused by a disruption of the chemical signals controlling appetite. Olanzapine (Zyprexa) and clozapine (Clozaril) are the top two offenders; studies have shown that on average these drugs cause patients to gain more Continue reading >>