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How Antidepressants Affect Blood Sugar

How Antidepressants Affect Blood Sugar
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Published on March 11, 2025
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Many people with diabetes take antidepressants to address mental health conditions or for other health issues such as chronic pain relief.

 Some scientific evidence shows certain types of antidepressants may be linked to high blood sugar.

“Some research has reported antidepressant-induced hyperglycemia, but the stronger evidence lies in the association between antidepressants and weight gain, which can subsequently lead to diabetes,” says Tom Wadsworth, PharmD, the dean and an associate professor at L.S. Skaggs College of Pharmacy at Idaho State University in Pocatello. For people who already have diabetes of any type, weight gain can make blood sugar management more challenging.

Here’s what to know about the relationship between antidepressants and diabetes and how mental health issues themselves can have an unhealthy impact on diabetes management.

The Correlation Between Diabetes and Depression

Diabetes and depression often go hand in hand, as each condition can contribute to the development or worsening of the other. People with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are up to three times more likely to have depression than people without the condition.

“Depression is associated with increased body weight, which can lead to hyperglycemia in individuals predisposed to type 2 diabetes, ultimately resulting in a diabetes diagnosis,” says Dr. Wadsworth. “Conversely, individuals with type 2 diabetes often experience weight gain and reduced physical activity, which can contribute to depressive symptoms or depression linked to poor health outcomes.”

Other mental health issues play a role, too. The anxiety and stress from managing a chronic condition can take a toll on the metabolism. Stress hormones, such as cortisol, are released when you’re under constant pressure. Stress raises your insulin production, which makes your blood sugar drop, leading to cravings for fatty or sugary foods.

 Diabetes distress and burnout can also increase the risk of diabetic complications.

Do Antidepressants Cause Diabetes?

According to Wadsworth, the direct link between antidepressants and diabetes remains unclear. But some research has found that antidepressant use has been linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes — mainly due to the weight gain these medications can cause. Excess weight is considered a risk factor for the disease.

Wadsworth says this is particularly true with tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), a class of older medications that are now rarely prescribed for depression. “Among the more commonly prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), the weight gain varies.”

He says that while most SSRIs cause less weight gain than TCAs, paroxetine and fluvoxamine have been associated with weight gain and potential glucose regulation issues, especially at higher doses and with long-term use.

Antidepressants and Blood Sugar

Experts say the direct relationship between antidepressants and blood sugar is complex and not yet fully understood.

“Research shows that different antidepressants influence glucose levels to varying degrees,” says Elizabeth A. Beverly, PhD, a professor at Ohio University in Athens and a researcher in psychosocial issues related to diabetes. “The effects on glucose depend on the specific antidepressant, dosage, duration of use, and individual factors, since everyone’s body responds differently to medications.”

Dr. Beverly says that some research shows beneficial effects on glucose levels with SSRIs, but that some noradrenergic antidepressants, a class of drugs that treat depression by increasing the levels of norepinephrine in the brain, may have a negative impact on blood sugar management.

“The choice of antidepressant should be individualized to the person with diabetes and their values, preferences, and needs," says Beverly. “Encouraging healthy eating patterns, regular physical activity, glucose monitoring, adequate sleep, eliminating substance use, and behavioral healthcare can help mitigate the potential adverse effects of antidepressants on glycemia.”

Wadsworth says when someone with diabetes is selecting an antidepressant, it’s important to align the medication's side effect profile with the patient’s symptoms.

“This ensures that any adverse effects are not only manageable but potentially beneficial,” says Wadsworth. “For example, bupropion (Wellbutrin) is a strong option for patients with type 2 diabetes, since it is weight neutral or even associated with weight loss.”

Why Treating Depression Can Improve Diabetes Symptoms

Because of the bidirectional relationship between depression and diabetes, taking steps to address one condition can have a positive impact on the other one, too. When people feel depressed, it can impact their ability to stay on top of diabetes management.

By improving mood and motivation, treating depression can help people eat healthier and exercise more, which aids weight loss and blood sugar control, and improves overall health outcomes for people with diabetes, says Wadsworth.

Other strategies to improve mood symptoms can also have a positive effect on diabetes management.

“Cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and exercise show modest improvements in A1C, fasting blood glucose, and blood pressure,” says Beverly.

Try these lifestyle changes to help manage depression symptoms:

  • Eat a healthy diet. Well-balanced meals, rather than high-sugar, high-fat, processed foods, are beneficial for both your body and your mind.
  • Aim for consistent good sleep. Treating sleep problems can help alleviate depressive symptoms.
  • Try to stay productive. Even chipping away at tasks can help you feel a sense of accomplishment.
  • Connect with others. Let friends and family know how you’re feeling and how they may be able to help.

The Takeaway

  • Research suggests some antidepressants may have an impact on blood sugar levels, but the direct relationship is complex and more studies are needed to draw conclusive results.
  • Certain types of antidepressants are linked to weight gain, which is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes and can make diabetes management more challenging.
  • If you have diabetes and are considering antidepressants, talk with your healthcare provider about how different medications might affect your blood sugar levels.
  • Managing depressive symptoms with lifestyle interventions like healthy eating, meditation, cognitive behavioral therapy, and regular physical activity can improve your mood and lead to better diabetes management.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Antidepressants: Another Weapon Against Chronic Pain. Mayo Clinic.
  2. Mildera H et al. Association Between the Use of Antidepressants and the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: A Large, Population-Based Cohort Study in Japan. Diabetes Care. February 12, 2020.
  3. Kueh MT et al. The Emergence of Obesity in Type 1 Diabetes. International Journal of Obesity. December 14, 2023.
  4. Ruze R et al. Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Connections in Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, and Treatments. Frontiers in Endocrinology. April 21, 2023.
  5. Diabetes and Mental Health. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. May 15, 2024.
  6. You Guessed It: Long-Term Stress Can Make You Gain Weight. Cleveland Clinic. March 1, 2023.
  7. Guerrero Fernández de Alba I et al. Association Between Mental Health Comorbidity and Health Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients. Scientific Reports. November 11, 2020.
  8. Diabetes Risk Factors. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. May 15, 2024.
  9. Barnard K et al. Antidepressant Medication as a Risk Factor for Type 2 Diabetes and Impaired Glucose Regulation: Systematic Review. Diabetes Care. September 14, 2013.
  10. Deuschle M. Effects of Antidepressants on Glucose Metabolism and Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 in Adults. Current Opinion in Psychiatry. January 2013.
  11. Aguilar-Latorre A et al. Effectiveness of a Lifestyle Modification Programme in the Treatment of Depression Symptoms in Primary Care. Frontiers in Medicine. July 26, 2022.
  12. Tips to Manage Depression. Anxiety & Depression Association of America. September 6, 2024.
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Stephanie Young Moss, PharmD

Medical Reviewer

Stephanie Young Moss, PharmD, has worked in pharmacy, community outreach, regulatory compliance, managed care, and health economics and outcomes research. Dr. Young Moss is the owner of Integrative Pharmacy Outcomes and Consulting, which focuses on educating underserved communities on ways to reduce and prevent health disparities. She uses her platform to educate families on ways to decrease and eliminate health disparities by incorporating wellness and mental health techniques.

Young Moss is the creator of the websites DrStephanieYoMo.com and MenopauseInColor.com, providing practical health and wellness tips and resources for women experiencing perimenopause and menopause. She has over 100,000 people in her social media communities. She has also contributed to Pharmacy Times and shared her views on international and national podcasts and local television news.

She has served on various boards for organizations that focus on health equity, decreasing implicit bias, addressing social determinants of health, and empowering communities to advocate for their health. She has also been on the boards for the Minority Health Coalition of Marion County and Eskenazi Health Center, for which she was the clinical quality committee chair and board secretary and is currently the board treasurer. She is a board member for Community Action of Greater Indianapolis.

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Jessica Freeborn has worked as a health and wellness freelance writer since 2021. She is passionate about encouraging people to take control of their health and stay informed about the latest medical advancements. She has two nursing degrees and has used her healthcare experience to enhance her writing and research.

As someone with type 1 diabetes, she understands the complexities surrounding diabetes management and wants to provide people with accurate information and dispel misconceptions about diabetes treatment.

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