Antidepressant Medication Linked to Type 2 Diabetes

New research has found that people taking antidepressants are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Dr Katharine Barnard, Health Psychologist from the University of Southampton, United Kingdom, and colleagues analyzed data from 22 studies and 3 previous systemic reviews that investigated the effects of antidepressants on diabetes risk. Results showed that, overall, people taking antidepressants were more likely to have type 2 diabetes. However why antidepressants should increase the risk of diabetes remains unclear. “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,” said Dr Barnard. Richard Holt, Professor in Diabetes and Endocrinology at the university, added: "When prescribing antidepressants, doctors should be aware of this risk and take steps to monitor for diabetes and reduce that risk of diabetes through lifestyle modification."