August 21, 2014
“Evidence from longitudinal, cross-sectional, and prospective cohort studies suggests that the use of antidepressants at therapeutic doses is associated with decreased bone mineral density and increased fracture risk,” reported researchers in a mini-review of the scientific literature published in Endocrine.
The Belgian University of Liège researchers expressed concern that SSRIs are often prescribed to older adults at high risk for bone fractures. The level of risk differs “depending on dose, exposure duration, time of exposure, age, or sex,” they wrote. “However, the risk of fracture declined rapidly after discontinuation of use of SSRIs. The evidence now seems sufficient to consider adding SSRIs to the list of medications that contribute to osteoporosis.”
Osteoporosis in patients taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors: a focus on fracture outcome(Bruyère, Olivier and Reginster, Jean-Yves. Endocrine. August 5, 2014. DOI 10.1007/s12020-014-0357-0)
