A study of fluoxetine in obese elderly patients with type 2 diabetes

In order to establish the safety and efficacy of fluoxetine in subjects over 60 years of age with Type 2 diabetes, a randomized, double-blind, parallel study of 30 obese subjects was undertaken, comparing the use of fluoxetine 60 mg daily with placebo. Subjects were diet controlled with an HbA1 < 14% (reference range 6-9%) and BMI > 29 kg m2. Those taking fluoxetine had a median weight loss of 2.6 kg at 3 months (p < 0.001) and 3.9 kg at 6 months (p < 0.02), compared with weight loss in the placebo group of 0.1 kg and 0.0 kg at 3 and 6 months, respectively. Improved glycaemic control was also demonstrated in the fluoxetine group compared with placebo, initial HbA1 levels of 8.0% vs 8.7% (NS) falling at 4 months by 0.9% (p < 0.02) and at six months by 0.9% (p < 0.02). No sustained improvement in fasting blood glucose levels was demonstrated. Reporting of adverse events was similar in both groups. Fluoxetine in the short term aids weight loss and improves glycaemic control without a significant increase in adverse events in elderly Type 2 diabetic subjects.