Study Reveals Significant Weight Gain Differences Among Common Antidepressants
BOSTON – A new study analyzing the health records of over 183,000 adults reveals substantial variation in weight gain associated with commonly prescribed antidepressants, with some medications linked to substantially higher increases than others. The findings, published today in Annals of Internal Medicine, offer crucial real-world data for patients and physicians navigating antidepressant treatment.
Antidepressants are frequently prescribed, but weight gain is a known side effect that can impact long-term metabolic health and even lead patients to discontinue necessary medication – a practice strongly discouraged without medical supervision.Researchers at the Harvard pilgrim Health Care Institute sought to quantify these differences to provide more informed prescribing and patient counseling.
The study compared weight changes in adults aged 18 to 80 newly prescribed antidepressants. Sertraline served as the reference point, and results showed notable variations after six months of treatment.Bupropion was associated with a slight decrease in weight (-0.22 kg), while escitalopram showed the largest increase (0.41 kg).
HereS a breakdown of weight gain relative to sertraline:
* Sertraline: Reference point
* Bupropion: -0.22 kg
* Citalopram: 0.12 kg
* Duloxetine: 0.34 kg
* escitalopram: 0.41 kg
* Fluoxetine: -0.07 kg
* Paroxetine: 0.37 kg
* Venlafaxine: 0.17 kg
Notably, within the same drug class – selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like sertraline, escitalopram, and paroxetine – escitalopram and paroxetine carried approximately a 15 percent higher risk of weight gain in the first six months compared to sertraline.
“Patients and their doctors often have several options when taking an antidepressant for the first time,” said lead author Joshua Petimar, of the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute. “This study provides important real-world insights into the extent of weight gain that can be expected after taking some of the most common antidepressants.”
Researchers defined a weight gain of 5 percent or more as clinically significant. The study utilized electronic health records from 183,118 adults.
The findings underscore the importance of discussing potential side effects, including weight gain, with a healthcare provider before starting and during antidepressant treatment. Adjusting dosage or discontinuing medication should always be done under a doctor’s guidance.
Source: DOI 10.7326/M23-2742
