Antidepressants & Bone Loss

[serenityqueen]

I read an interesting article today in Arthritis Today magazine and wanted to share some of the info with those who may be on certain antidepressants.

The article states that several studies have shown that men and women who take certain antidepressants have an increased risk of fractures compared to people who don't take these kinds of meds. It stated that the association seems to be particularly strong in the class of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. Drugs such as paroxetine (Paxil) and fluoxetine (Prozac) are included in this class of drugs. It says that "the jury is still out on whether other kinds of antidepressants carry the same risks."

It also talked about the importance of speaking to your doctor about biphosphonate therapy to protect your bones if you have previously had fractures, are postmenopausal, are a heavy smoker, are at a high risk for falls or if you have experienced significant weight loss or have a low body mass.

I wanted to pass this on because I have certain chronic conditions that cause my bones to be brittle as well as take Prednisone (and Prozac) which contribute to one's bones becoming brittle. I recently fractured my pelvis without any fall, injury . . . just woke up one day with a great deal of pain. I hate to see anyone else go through what I am going through right now. I have been on the biphosphonate therapy that it spoke of in the article, but as I said, I have other conditions as well.

If you take any of these antidepressants listed, the next time you see your doctor, please bring this up. If he/she doesn't want to prescribe any of the biphosphonate therapy meds (some are quite expensive) ask about taking a simple Calcium supplement.

God Bless,
Judy

[Freedom1990]

Wow, thanks for the info, Judy! I was on Paxil for several years.