Effects of antidepressants on weight: mechanisms, clinical effects, and management strategies

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Abstract

Depression and obesity are common conditions that significantly affect the quality of life and public health. In recent decades, depression has become more prevalent, resulting in increased use of antidepressants. Despite their proven efficacy, antidepressants have significant side effects. One of them is weight gain, which can exacerbate obesity and metabolic disorders.

The review discusses the underlying mechanisms of antidepressant effects on weight, including neurotransmitter, inflammatory, and genetic factors. The metabolic profiles of various antidepressant classes are evaluated, with a focus on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Available weight management strategies are presented, including treatment adjustment, behavioral interventions, pharmacological treatments, and bariatric surgery. The importance of personalized selection of antidepressants and complex management strategies for patients with depression and obesity is emphasized.

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About the authors

Vyacheslav A. Bairamalov

Bashkir State Medical University

Author for correspondence.
Email: chirach726@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0009-0003-5626-1752
Russian Federation, Ufa

Vilena A. Dautova

Bashkir State Medical University

Email: vilench9@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0009-0005-7211-4263
Russian Federation, Ufa

Maria D. Bakhareva

I.P. Pavlov First St. Petersburg State Medical University

Email: bakha.mashereva@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0009-0005-3197-4769
Russian Federation, Saint Petersburg

Aleksandra S. Zavgorodniaia- Mariams

I.P. Pavlov First St. Petersburg State Medical University

Email: zavgar_m7686@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0009-0005-4413-4750
Russian Federation, Saint Petersburg

Lala R. Alyeva

Privolzhsky Research Medical University

Email: lala.alyeva@bk.ru
ORCID iD: 0009-0000-5745-0764
Russian Federation, Nizhny Novgorod

Murad M. Ismikhanov

Rostov State Medical University

Email: ismikhanov.murad@bk.ru
ORCID iD: 0009-0007-2887-290X
Russian Federation, Rostov-on-Don

Alina I. Gazizova

Kazan State Medical University

Email: G.alina17@icloud.com
ORCID iD: 0009-0006-2427-9546
Russian Federation, Kazan

Nelly A. Zorina

The First Sechenov Moscow State Medical University

Email: zorinanelly@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0009-0005-4017-1087
Russian Federation, Moscow

Yana A. Malinina

Voronezh State Medical University

Email: yanamalinin4@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0009-0004-3991-4165
Russian Federation, Voronezh

Vladislava А. Vedernikova

Privolzhsky Research Medical University

Email: vladavedernicova@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0009-0008-4148-1310
Russian Federation, Nizhny Novgorod

Roman K. Melnik

The First Sechenov Moscow State Medical University

Email: romelnyk3@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0009-0008-3319-6405
Russian Federation, Moscow

Elina I. Malyar

Bashkir State Medical University

Email: elinamalyar@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0009-0009-2181-092X
Russian Federation, Ufa

Aigiza R. Shamsutdinova

Bashkir State Medical University

Email: rimovna49@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0009-0005-9849-2764
Russian Federation, Ufa

Bella M. Kicheva

Rostov State Medical University

Email: bellkicheva@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0009-0000-0922-2521
Russian Federation, Rostov-on-Don

Narmin B. Gulieva

Privolzhsky Research Medical University

Email: narmin.gulieva28@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0009-0009-1394-942X
Russian Federation, Nizhny Novgorod

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СМИ зарегистрировано Федеральной службой по надзору в сфере связи, информационных технологий и массовых коммуникаций (Роскомнадзор).
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