Plus, she has high blood pressure and is an insulin-dependent diabetic. Drug Wary dear drug wary, Yes, diabetic patients can be safely treated with antidepressants that are carefully chosen and judiciously administered. But some diabetics have diabetic neuropathy, in which nerves to the arms and legs and visceral organs are impaired. This leaves them particularly sensitive to older antidepressants, which can cause constipation and urinary retention.
Side effects are much less likely with the newer drugs.
This is a subject of some complexity, and physicians have to keep up to date on possible harmful interactions. The patient or relative should remind the doctor to think of interactions, especially since the doctor prescribing the antidepressant may be different from the one prescribing the other drugs. Dr. Arnold Lieber has the answer. Shop O2 . All Rights Reserved.