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Updated: May 21, 2026
10:35
Extracellular Glucose Depletion as an Indirect Measure of Glucose Uptake in Cells and Tissues Ex Vivo
Published on: April 6, 2022
Glucose metabolism and antidepressant medication
Johannes M Hennings1, Ludwig Schaaf, Stephany Fulda
1Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Psychiatric Pharmacogenetics, Munich, Germany. hennings@mpipsykl.mpg.de
Current Pharmaceutical Design
|June 12, 2012
Summary
Certain antidepressants, like MAOIs and SSRIs, may improve glucose control in depressed patients, especially those with diabetes. Other antidepressants might worsen glucose tolerance, requiring careful consideration for depressed diabetic individuals.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Endocrinology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Depression is linked to impaired glucose tolerance and increased diabetes risk.
- Antidepressant effects on glucose homeostasis in depressed patients are conflicting.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and structure conflicting data on specific antidepressant effects on glucose homeostasis.
- To investigate the impact of various antidepressants on glucose metabolism in clinical and healthy subjects.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of studies indexed in Medline (1960-2011).
- Inclusion of antidepressant agents from the WHO ATC classification system.
- Analysis of studies on glucose metabolism in clinical samples and healthy subjects.
Main Results:
- Hydrazine-type monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) show potential beneficial effects on glucose homeostasis.
- SSRIs' benefits are more pronounced in diabetic patients or those with comorbid depression and diabetes.
- Noradrenergic and possibly dual-acting antidepressants may worsen glucose tolerance, posing risks for glycemic control in depressed diabetics.
Conclusions:
- Specific antidepressants have differential effects on glucose homeostasis.
- MAOIs and SSRIs may offer benefits, while noradrenergic agents could pose risks.
- Further research is needed for newer agents like bupropion and mirtazapine.
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