Language
English
Publication Date
1-1-2024
Journal
Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology
DOI
10.1097/JCP.0000000000001922
PMID
39392873
PMCID
PMC11753947
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
11-1-2025
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Author MSS
Abstract
Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of fluoxetine and sertraline on height growth and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) during puberty.
Methods: In this 6-month cohort study, electronic medical records were used to identify 8- to 15-year-old participants, within 1 month of starting fluoxetine (n = 39) or sertraline (n = 27), and sexual maturation stages 2 to 4 were confirmed. Conditions that interfere with height growth led to exclusion. Participants underwent anthropometric assessments and phlebotomy. Healthy, unmedicated children (n = 36) also provided anthropometric data.
Results: After the baseline height Z-score, sex, Tanner stage, daily selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) dose, and time were accounted for, the interaction effect of dose by time was inversely associated with height Z-score in SSRI-treated participants (β = -0.18; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.35, -0.02). Sertraline and fluoxetine did not differ in their effect on height growth. Compared with being unmedicated, SSRI treatment was associated with a smaller growth in height (time × dose 2-way interaction effect β = -1.30; 95% CI: -2.52, -0.09). The interaction effect of dose by time was significant for body mass index Z-score (β = 0.35; 95% CI: 0.06, 0.64) but not weight Z-score (β = 0.24; 95% CI: -0.01, 0.49). Body mass index Z-score increased more with sertraline compared with fluoxetine (time × dose × SSRI type 3-way interaction effect P < 0.05). SSRI dose was inversely associated with IGF-1 (β = -63.5; 95% CI: -112.2, -14.7) but not insulin growth factor binding protein-3 concentration (β = -207.3; 95% CI: -536.2, 121.5).
Conclusions: Fluoxetine and sertraline reduce height gain and IGF-1 concentration, in a dose-dependent manner. Longer-term studies are necessary.
Keywords
Humans, Sertraline, Fluoxetine, Adolescent, Female, Child, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, Male, Body Height, Insulin-Like Growth Factor I, Puberty, Cohort Studies, Signal Transduction, Human Growth Hormone, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Published Open-Access
yes
Recommended Citation
Calarge, Chadi; Amushie, Chima; Dinh, Stephanie; et al., "Fluoxetine and Sertraline Inhibit Height Growth and Growth Hormone Signaling During Puberty" (2024). Faculty and Staff Publications. 5572.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/baylor_docs/5572
Included in
Allergy and Immunology Commons, Biological Phenomena, Cell Phenomena, and Immunity Commons, Pathology Commons