Antidepressant Medication Unwanted Effects Like Body Weight, BP Variations Range Based on Pharmaceutical

- An extensive recent study discovered that the adverse reactions of depression drugs range substantially by drug.
- Some drugs resulted in reduced body weight, whereas others led to increased body weight.
- Heart rate and arterial pressure furthermore diverged markedly among medications.
- Individuals suffering from ongoing, serious, or troubling unwanted effects must discuss with a medical provider.
Recent investigations has discovered that antidepressant side effects may be more diverse than previously thought.
The comprehensive investigation, released on October 21, analyzed the effect of antidepressant medications on over 58,000 participants within the beginning eight weeks of beginning therapy.
These scientists studied 151 studies of 30 medications frequently used to manage clinical depression. While not every patient encounters side effects, some of the most common noted in the research were changes in weight, BP, and metabolic markers.
The study revealed notable differences between antidepressant medications. As an illustration, an 60-day treatment period of agomelatine was linked to an typical weight loss of approximately 2.4 kg (roughly 5.3 pounds), while another drug patients increased nearly 2 kg in the identical period.
There were also, significant variations in cardiac function: fluvoxamine was likely to slow heart rate, while nortriptyline increased it, causing a disparity of about 21 heartbeats per minute between the two drugs. Arterial pressure fluctuated as well, with an 11 millimeters of mercury difference noted between one drug and another medication.
Antidepressant Unwanted Effects Comprise a Broad Array
Clinical professionals observed that the study's findings are not considered new or surprising to mental health professionals.
"We've long known that different antidepressant medications differ in their influences on weight, arterial pressure, and other metabolic measures," one specialist stated.
"However, what is significant about this investigation is the comprehensive, comparison-based quantification of these disparities throughout a wide array of physiological parameters using information from in excess of 58,000 subjects," the expert noted.
The study offers strong evidence of the degree of side effects, several of which are more prevalent than others. Common antidepressant adverse reactions may comprise:
- digestive issues (sickness, loose stools, constipation)
- sexual dysfunction (lowered desire, orgasmic dysfunction)
- mass variations (gain or decrease, based on the drug)
- sleep disturbances (sleeplessness or sleepiness)
- mouth dryness, moisture, head pain
Meanwhile, less frequent but clinically significant unwanted effects may comprise:
- increases in blood pressure or cardiac rhythm (notably with SNRIs and some tricyclics)
- low sodium (particularly in older adults, with SSRIs and SNRIs)
- increased liver enzymes
- Corrected QT interval prolongation (chance of irregular heartbeat, notably with citalopram and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
- emotional blunting or indifference
"A key factor to remember in this context is that there are several different types of antidepressants, which lead to the distinct negative drug side effects," a different expert stated.
"Furthermore, antidepressant medications can influence every individual distinctly, and negative side effects can range according to the particular medication, dose, and individual factors including body chemistry or simultaneous health issues."
While several side effects, such as fluctuations in sleep, hunger, or energy levels, are reasonably common and often enhance as time passes, different reactions may be less frequent or continuing.
Consult with Your Doctor Regarding Severe Unwanted Effects
Depression drug unwanted effects may range in severity, which could justify a modification in your drug.
"A adjustment in antidepressant medication may be appropriate if the patient experiences ongoing or unbearable side effects that don't get better with duration or management strategies," one professional said.
"Moreover, if there is an development of recently developed health problems that may be aggravated by the existing medication, for instance elevated BP, irregular heartbeat, or significant mass addition."
Individuals may also consider talking with your doctor about any deficiency of meaningful improvement in depressive or anxiety symptoms following an adequate testing period. An adequate trial period is usually 4–8 weeks duration at a therapeutic dose.
Patient inclination is additionally significant. Certain people may prefer to avoid particular side effects, like sexual dysfunction or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition