In a recent study in medicine, it was shown that diabetic patients prescribed with oral antidiabetic drug sulphonylurea has the lowest coprescription with antidepressant. The ability of the drug to control blood sugar could possibly be the reason for the favorable result of the therapy. This has been supported by several studies linking sugar to depression.
Sugar and Depression
According to a website called Food for the Brain, sugary food can cause sudden rise and fall of blood glucose. This instability of blood glucose is often manifested through fatigue, irritability, excessive sweating, poor concentration, forgetfulness, and depression.
Aside from the sudden rise and fall of blood glucose, simple sugar is also linked to depression as it uses up the B vitamins which play an important role in mood. In a study published by the British Journal of Psychiatry involving 3,456 middle-aged civil servants, it showed that those who have a diet high in processed food have a higher risk for depression compared to those with a healthier diet.
Another reason why sugar can affect one's mood is because it diverts another important mineral for mood enhancing - chromium. Chromium is needed by the insulin to carry glucose into the cells. So if there is a high blood glucose level, chromium is used up in clearing sugar from the blood.
Link Between Oral Antidiabetic Drug and Depression
The study that has shown some correlation between antidiabetic drug and concurrent prescription of antidepressant involved analysis of the data of more than 3.4 million people aged 20 and above. The researchers have looked into concurrent prescriptions of oral antidiabetics and antidepressants.
It shows that the group of oral antidiabetic drugs that has resulted to lower concurrent antidepressant use is the one that directly stimulates the release of insulin. This is the group of sulphonylurea.
Sulphonylurea is a class of oral antidiabetic medications that work by stimulating the production of insulin in the pancreas. The following drugs are all under this class: Amaryl, Diamicron, Daonil, Glibenese, Tolbutamide, and Minodiab.
This group of antidiabetic drugs is often prescribed by doctors to patients with type 2 diabetes and whose blood glucose levels are way above the recommended level even if metformin has been prescribed.
Diabetes is a chronic disease that shouldn't be left untreated because it leads to life-threatening complications involving vital organs like the heart and kidneys. So if you experience sudden weight loss coupled with excessive thirst, hunger, and urination, then you must consult a medical practitioner immediately.
Implications of the Study
The study may not be conclusive but it suggests a possible role of this drug class to depression.
