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Antidepressants heighten risk of diabetes, study finds

Taking antidepressants could increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, according to new findings by the University of Southampton.

University of Southampton has found that people taking antidepressants are at a higher risk of type 2 diabetes. Credit: PA

The research took into consideration 22 studies and three previous systematic reviews, and found that people taking antidepressants are more likely to have diabetes.

Scientists involved in the study said doctors should be aware of the risks and take particular care before prescribing the medication in high doses, or for long periods.

Dr Katharine Barnard, health psychologist from the university, said: "Our research shows that when you take away all the classic risk factors of type 2 diabetes - weight gain, lifestyle etc - there is something about antidepressants that appears to be an independent risk factor.

Around 46 million prescriptions for antidepressants are prescribed in the UK every year.