SSRIs May Cause Bone Loss in Older Adults
Two U.S. studies suggest that antidepressants in the class called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may cause bone loss in older men and women.
SSRIs--which include the drugs Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Luvox, Celexa and Lexapro--treat depression by inhibiting the protein that transports serotonin. Since serotonin is also found in bone, it raises the possibility that SSRIs could have an effect on bone density and risk of fracture.
Dr. Susan Diem and colleagues at the University of Minnesota studied 2,722 older women, with an average age 78.5 years, and found SSRI use may have a direct detrimental effect on bone loss.
Dr. Elizabeth Haney and colleagues at the Oregon Health and Sciences University conducted a similar study with 5,995 men age 65 and older. The researchers found that men using SSRIs suffered from a lower hip bone density than men who didn't use antidepressants.
Both studies appear in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
Comments
hi i’ve been on the anti depressant lopeframine for 7 years now, and have noticed increasing pains in my joints, i.e:- hands, knees, hips lower back. maybe i should go and see a doctor about it??? i just put it down to the aches and pains i get normally with my depression!!!!