Evidence for possible pro-inflammatory activity of antidepressants

Data sourceMechanismDrug(s) implicated
In vitro modelsIncreased production of IL-6 and TNF-α from macrophages [118]Fluoxetine
Animal modelsIncrease in IL-2 and in CD8+ cell count over 3 weeks of treatment [119]Fluoxetine
Human studiesDecrease in IL-4 over 6 months of treatment [114]Nortriptyline, citalopram
Decrease in IL-10 over 8 weeks of treatment [40]Antidepressants in general
Increase in NK and B cell counts over 1 year [120]SSRIs
Decrease in CD4+ cell counts over 8 weeks [121]Venlafaxine
Increased requirement for steroid therapy in UC [122]Antidepressants in general
Increased risk of microscopic colitis [123]SSRIs