Metabolic changes associated with antidepressants: Understanding the risks to achieve more than a pyrrhic victory

Major depressive disorder is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity and is associated with an increased cardiometabolic risk on its own. On the other hand, antidepressants are being prescribed to more patients every day and these medications carry some important nuances in terms of side effects regarding their effects on metabolic profile. In this narrative review, we provide a drug class oriented overview to antidepressants, including their proven effects on various metabolic parameters such as lipid markers, blood glucose, waist circumference, body mass index and body weight. It is of utmost importance to choose the metabolically correct antidepressant for each patient, taking their metabolic risk profile into account, in order not be deceived by the pyrrhic victory presenting itself as mere psychiatric symptom control.