Recent research conducted by Harvard Medical School and published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals that certain first-line antidepressant medications are more likely to cause weight gain compared to others. This discovery is particularly significant for patients who can talk to their doctors about it and make better antidepressant decisions depending on their current weight situation and health issues related to it.
The title of the scientific article published is Medication-Induced Weight Change Across Common Antidepressant Treatments: A Target Trial Emulation Study and it was conducted by Joshua Petimar, ScD, Jessica G. Young, PhD, Han Yu, PhD, Sheryl L. Rifas-Shiman, MPH, Matthew F. Daley, MD, William J. Heerman, MD, MPH, David M. Janicke, PhD, W. Schuyler Jones, MD, Kristina H. Lewis, MD, MPH, Pi-I D. Lin, ScD, Carly Prentice, NP, John W. Merriman, MD, MPH, Sengwee Toh, ScD, and Jason P. Block, MD, MPH.
Why It Matters
Weight gain is a common side effect of many antidepressant medications and can deter patients from starting or adhering to their prescribed treatment plans. Understanding which medications have a higher likelihood of causing weight gain can help patients and providers choose treatments that balance efficacy with manageable side effects.
Antidepressant Study Overview
The study analyzed electronic health record data from 183,118 new antidepressant users across eight U.S. health systems between 2010 and 2019. The participants were aged between 21 and 79 years old. The research aimed to compare weight gain among patients prescribed various first-line antidepressants to those taking sertraline (Zoloft), the most commonly prescribed antidepressant in the study.
Key Findings
- Weight Gain Comparisons:
- Patients using escitalopram (Lexapro) and paroxetine (Seroxat) gained approximately 1 pound more than those on sertraline after six months.
- These patients were also 10% to 15% more likely to gain at least 5% of their baseline weight compared to sertraline users.
- Bupropion (Wellbutrin) users experienced the least amount of weight gain among the studied antidepressants.
- Fluoxetine (Prozac) showed no significant weight change compared to sertraline after six months.
- Long-term Weight Gain:
- Lexapro, Paxil, and Cymbalta users were 10% to 15% more likely to gain at least 5% of their starting weight after six months compared to Zoloft users.
- Wellbutrin users were 15% less likely to experience a 5% weight gain, a trend that persisted at the one- and two-year marks.
Expert Insights
Lead researcher Joshua Petimar emphasized the practical implications of the study in an interview with Axios.
“One of the reasons we were motivated to do this study was that we could give both providers and patients more information that they can use to make the best decisions.”
The study provides a detailed comparison that can guide both patients and clinicians in selecting the most appropriate antidepressant based on the potential for weight gain.
Future Research
This study is the first in a planned series by Petimar’s team, which will investigate how other medications, including those for psychosis, diabetes, hypertension, and seizures, affect patients’ weight. Future research will also examine the impact of antidepressants on children and adolescents.
This research highlights the importance of considering weight gain as a side effect when prescribing antidepressants. By providing detailed comparative data, the study empowers patients and healthcare providers to make more informed decisions, potentially improving adherence to treatment and overall health outcomes.
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- Bulking and cutting: Julia Larson / Pexels
