Fluoxetine boosts good cholesterol, lowers triglycerides in people with obesity

The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine appears to modify lipid profile in individuals with overweight or obesity, with triglyceride levels reduced and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels increased, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Researchers searched multiple online databases for studies, in which the impact of fluoxetine on serum lipid levels in individuals with overweight or obesity was examined. A total of nine studies met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis was conducted using the DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model.

Pooled data showed that in a population of individuals with overweight or obesity, fluoxetine use resulted in a significant reduction in triglycerides (weighted mean difference [WMD], –22.04 mg/dL, 95 percent confidence interval [CI], −42.61 to −1.46; p=0.036) and in a significant increase in HDL-C (WMD, 2.25 mg/dL, 95 percent CI, 0.21–4.28; p=0.030).

Greater reductions in triglycerides were observed when fluoxetine was given at 60 mg/day (WMD, −43.86 mg/dL), when baseline triglyceride levels were at least 150 mg/dL (WMD, −26.62 mg/dL), and with interventions lasting up to 12 weeks (WMD, −26.88 mg/dL).

No notable changes were seen in other lipid parameters such as total cholesterol (WMD, 4.75 mg/dL, 95 percent CI, −2.576 to 12.08; p=0.204) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (WMD, −0.35 mg/dL, 95 percent CI, −11.15 to 10.44; p=0.949).

More studies are needed to assess the long-term effects of fluoxetine on lipid profile, the researchers said.