Do Weight Changes Occur with Long-Term Fluoxetine Therapy?
Data are limited concerning weight changes that occur beyond the acute phase of treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Michelson and associates analyzed changes in weight among patients who received long-term fluoxetine therapy. Data were obtained from a study that initially included 839 patients who entered the 12-week acute-therapy phase of the study. After remission of depression had been achieved, 395 patients were randomly assigned to continuation of fluoxetine therapy, in a dosage of 20 mg daily, or placebo. Therapy was given for as long as 50 weeks. Weight was assessed at each visit during the initial 12 weeks of acute treatment and at the 14th, 26th and 38th weeks during the continuation phase of therapy. Weight changes in the fluoxetine and placebo groups during the continuation period were compared. A small (less than 0.5 kg) but significant weight gain occurred during the week following entry into the study but preceding the initiation of fluoxetine therapy.
