Antidepressant Medication Side Effects Like Weight, Blood Pressure Changes Vary Based on Pharmaceutical

- A extensive latest study determined that the adverse reactions of antidepressant medications vary considerably by drug.
- Certain medications caused weight loss, while others caused increased body weight.
- Pulse rate and arterial pressure furthermore differed markedly between treatments.
- Patients encountering continuing, intense, or concerning unwanted effects should consult a healthcare professional.
Recent research has found that antidepressant medication adverse reactions may be more varied than previously thought.
The large-scale research, released on October 21st, assessed the effect of antidepressant drugs on more than 58,000 individuals within the beginning two months of starting medication.
The researchers studied 151 investigations of 30 drugs typically employed to manage major depression. While not everyone develops adverse reactions, some of the most prevalent recorded in the study were variations in weight, BP, and metabolic indicators.
The study revealed significant differences between antidepressant medications. For example, an 60-day regimen of one medication was associated with an average weight loss of approximately 2.4 kilos (approximately 5.3 lbs), while another drug patients gained almost 2 kg in the identical period.
Additionally, notable fluctuations in cardiac function: fluvoxamine was likely to decrease cardiac rhythm, while nortriptyline increased it, producing a difference of around 21 heartbeats per minute between the two drugs. BP differed as well, with an 11 millimeters of mercury variation noted among one drug and another medication.
Antidepressant Side Effects Include a Broad Range
Medical specialists observed that the study's findings are not new or startling to psychiatric specialists.
"We've long known that various depression drugs vary in their influences on weight, BP, and other metabolic indicators," a expert commented.
"Nonetheless, what is notable about this study is the comprehensive, relative quantification of these disparities throughout a extensive array of physiological parameters utilizing information from more than 58,000 participants," this specialist commented.
The investigation offers strong proof of the magnitude of side effects, some of which are more common than other effects. Common antidepressant unwanted effects may comprise:
- stomach problems (queasiness, diarrhea, constipation)
- sexual dysfunction (decreased libido, inability to orgasm)
- mass variations (gain or loss, based on the agent)
- sleep disturbances (insomnia or drowsiness)
- oral dehydration, moisture, migraine
Meanwhile, rarer but clinically significant adverse reactions may include:
- increases in blood pressure or pulse rate (especially with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
- reduced blood sodium (notably in elderly individuals, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
- liver enzyme elevations
- Corrected QT interval extension (risk of abnormal heart rhythm, especially with one medication and some tricyclic antidepressants)
- emotional blunting or apathy
"One thing to consider regarding this matter is that there are various different types of depression drugs, which contribute to the different adverse medication side effects," another specialist explained.
"Furthermore, depression treatments can impact each person differently, and unwanted reactions can vary based on the specific pharmaceutical, amount, and personal considerations like body chemistry or simultaneous health issues."
Although some adverse reactions, including fluctuations in rest, appetite, or vitality, are reasonably common and commonly get better with time, different reactions may be less frequent or continuing.
Talk with Your Doctor About Serious Side Effects
Antidepressant unwanted effects may vary in seriousness, which could justify a modification in your drug.
"An modification in depression drug may be warranted if the patient encounters continuing or unbearable unwanted effects that fail to enhance with passing days or management strategies," a specialist commented.
"Moreover, if there is an development of recently developed health problems that may be aggravated by the existing drug, for instance hypertension, abnormal heart rhythm, or significant weight gain."
Individuals may furthermore contemplate consulting with your healthcare provider regarding any lack of meaningful improvement in depression-related or anxiety symptoms subsequent to an sufficient trial period. The sufficient trial period is typically 4–8 weeks duration at a treatment amount.
Patient inclination is also important. Some individuals may choose to evade certain unwanted effects, like intimacy issues or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition