Effects of fluoxetine and melatonin on mood, sleep quality and body mass index in postmenopausal women.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the efficacy of melatonin combined with fluoxetine in treating mood, sleep, and appetite disorders in postmenopausal women.
Results Summary
The study found that melatonin combined with fluoxetine significantly reduced insomnia severity and BMI, while also showing comparable reductions in anxiety and depression to fluoxetine alone. The melatonin group showed greater improvements in sleep and weight management compared to the placebo group.
Population
Overweight postmenopausal women aged 54-65 with increased appetite (n=64).
Effective Dosage
5 mg melatonin in the evening, daily.
Duration
24 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
fluoxetine (20 mg in the morning) and placebo (in the evening) | decrease | level of anxiety and depression | overweight postmenopausal women, aged 54 - 65 years, with increased appetite | statistically significant reduction | comparable and statistically significant reduction | #1 |
fluoxetine (20 mg in the morning) and melatonin (5 mg in the evening) | decrease | level of anxiety and depression | overweight postmenopausal women, aged 54 - 65 years, with increased appetite | statistically significant reduction | comparable and statistically significant reduction | #2 |
fluoxetine (20 mg in the morning) and placebo (in the evening) | decrease | insomnia severity index (ISI) | overweight postmenopausal women, aged 54 - 65 years, with increased appetite | from 14.9 ± 2.5 points to 10.9 ± 1.9 points | decreased | #3 |
fluoxetine (20 mg in the morning) and melatonin (5 mg in the evening) | decrease | insomnia severity index (ISI) | overweight postmenopausal women, aged 54 - 65 years, with increased appetite | from 15.8 ± 2.4 points to 7.7 ± 1.5 points | decreased | #4 |
fluoxetine (20 mg in the morning) and placebo (in the evening) | no change | body mass index (BMI) | overweight postmenopausal women, aged 54 - 65 years, with increased appetite | no reduction | no reduction | #5 |
fluoxetine (20 mg in the morning) and melatonin (5 mg in the evening) | decrease | body mass index (BMI) | overweight postmenopausal women, aged 54 - 65 years, with increased appetite | from 30.9 ± 3.1 to 26.3 ± 3.2 | decreased | #6 |
combined administration of fluoxetine and melatonin | decrease | mood, sleep and appetite disorders | postmenopausal women | - | was useful option to treat | #7 |
Frequent mood and sleep disorders and increased appetite leading to obesity are observed in postmenopausal women. Due to the limitations of hormone replacement therapy the researchers look for other treatment regimes. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of fluoxetine and melatonin in the treatment of these disorders. The study included 64 overweight postmenopausal women, aged 54 - 65 years, with increased appetite. They were randomly assigned in 2 groups. In group I (n = 30) fluoxetine (20 mg in the morning) and placebo (in the evening) were administered for 24 weeks. Group II (n = 34) received fluoxetine (20 mg in the morning) and melatonin (5 mg in the evening) in the same period of time. Hamilton anxiety rating scale (HARS), Beck depression scale (BDI), the insomnia severity index (ISI) and body mass index (BMI) were used to assess the health status and the treatment efficacy. After 24 weeks, comparable and statistically significant reduction in the level of anxiety and depression was obtained in both groups. In group I, the ISI decreased from 14.9 ± 2.5 points to 10.9 ± 1.9 points (P < 0.05) and in group II from 15.8 ± 2.4 points to 7.7 ± 1.5 points (P < 0.001). In group I no reduction in BMI was achieved whereas in group II this index decreased from 30.9 ± 3.1 to 26.3 ± 3.2 (P < 0.05). We conclude that combined administration of fluoxetine and melatonin was useful option to treat mood, sleep and appetite disorders in postmenopausal women.