Antidepressant Medication Adverse Reactions Such as Weight, Blood Pressure Changes Differ Based on Pharmaceutical

- A extensive recent investigation determined that the unwanted effects of antidepressants vary substantially by drug.
- Certain drugs caused decreased mass, while other medications led to weight gain.
- Cardiac rhythm and BP also varied significantly among treatments.
- Individuals suffering from ongoing, severe, or troubling adverse reactions must consult a medical provider.
Recent studies has revealed that depression drug unwanted effects may be more diverse than earlier believed.
This large-scale research, issued on the 21st of October, analyzed the influence of antidepressant medications on more than 58,000 individuals within the initial two months of beginning treatment.
These researchers studied 151 studies of 30 pharmaceuticals commonly used to treat clinical depression. While not everyone encounters adverse reactions, some of the most prevalent observed in the research were changes in body weight, arterial pressure, and metabolic markers.
There were significant variations across depression treatments. For example, an eight-week regimen of agomelatine was linked to an typical reduction in body weight of approximately 2.4 kg (approximately 5.3 pounds), while another drug individuals gained close to 2 kg in the identical duration.
There were also, marked fluctuations in heart function: fluvoxamine tended to decrease pulse rate, while another medication elevated it, producing a disparity of about 21 BPM across the two medications. Blood pressure varied as well, with an 11 millimeters of mercury disparity observed across nortriptyline and doxepin.
Depression Drug Unwanted Effects Include a Broad Spectrum
Medical specialists noted that the investigation's findings are not novel or unexpected to psychiatrists.
"It has long been understood that various antidepressants range in their effects on weight, blood pressure, and further metabolic measures," one expert commented.
"Nonetheless, what is remarkable about this research is the comprehensive, comparison-based assessment of these differences across a broad spectrum of physical indicators employing findings from over 58,000 participants," the specialist added.
The study delivers strong proof of the degree of adverse reactions, certain of which are more frequent than different reactions. Typical antidepressant side effects may include:
- gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, loose stools, blockage)
- intimacy issues (lowered desire, inability to orgasm)
- mass variations (gain or decrease, depending on the drug)
- sleep problems (sleeplessness or drowsiness)
- mouth dryness, sweating, migraine
Meanwhile, rarer but medically important side effects may comprise:
- elevations in blood pressure or heart rate (especially with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and some tricyclics)
- low sodium (especially in senior patients, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
- liver enzyme elevations
- Corrected QT interval lengthening (risk of irregular heartbeat, notably with one medication and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
- emotional blunting or lack of interest
"One thing to note in this context is that there are various varying categories of depression drugs, which contribute to the different negative drug effects," a different specialist commented.
"Additionally, antidepressant medications can affect each person distinctly, and negative reactions can vary according to the specific pharmaceutical, amount, and patient elements like metabolism or comorbidities."
Although certain side effects, such as variations in rest, hunger, or energy levels, are fairly frequent and frequently get better with time, different reactions may be less typical or longer-lasting.
Speak with Your Healthcare Provider About Intense Unwanted Effects
Antidepressant medication adverse reactions may differ in severity, which could justify a modification in your medication.
"A modification in antidepressant medication may be appropriate if the person encounters continuing or unbearable unwanted effects that don't get better with duration or supportive care," a expert said.
"Moreover, if there is an emergence of recent medical issues that may be aggravated by the present drug, for instance high blood pressure, arrhythmia, or considerable weight gain."
Individuals may also contemplate speaking with your physician about any absence of substantial enhancement in low mood or worry signs after an appropriate evaluation duration. An appropriate trial period is typically 4–8 weeks duration at a effective dose.
Personal choice is also important. Certain patients may prefer to prevent particular unwanted effects, such as sexual dysfunction or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition