title: Imipramine treatment and preference for sweets.
abstract: Antidepressant-induced changes in food preference were investigated in a group of 40 depressed patients before and during treatment with imipramine. As part of a validated survey, the Pittsburgh Appetite Test, self-reported food preference was categorized by both nutrient and hedonic properties to define individual response. After 4 months of treatment, 14 patients (35%) expressed a clear desire for high-carbohydrate/high-fat foods with a sweet taste. Within this group, eight patients already preferred these foods while medication-free, while six subjects demonstrated a change in preference to these foods during treatment. The other 26 patients (65%) showed no consistent changes in food preference. These results suggest that while approximately one-third of imipramine-treated patients report a preference for sweets, only 15% actually developed this preference during treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, PA.
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Fernstrom
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Kupfer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001835:Body Weight; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007099:Imipramine / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D007099:Imipramine