Antidepressants, antipsychotics and diabetes: what does the evidence say?
A systematic review found little and mixed evidence on how these medicines relate to diabetes outcomes, so general diabetes guidance should apply for now.
The question
Many people with type 2 diabetes are prescribed antidepressants or antipsychotics. Do these medicines affect how their diabetes goes?
What we did
As part of a PhD project, we carried out a systematic review, which means searching and appraising the research in a structured way, of observational studies on antidepressant or antipsychotic prescribing and diabetes outcomes.
What we found
Studies on this question are scarce, have shortcomings and give mixed findings. There is not enough evidence yet to say how these drugs affect diabetes outcomes.
Why it matters
Until better evidence arrives, people with diabetes who are prescribed these medicines should receive the monitoring, risk-factor treatment and complication screening recommended in general diabetes guidelines.