Antidepressant Medication Unwanted Effects Such as Body Weight, BP Fluctuations Differ Based on Pharmaceutical

- An large latest investigation determined that the side effects of antidepressants vary significantly by drug.
- Some drugs caused decreased mass, whereas others caused added mass.
- Pulse rate and arterial pressure also differed notably across drugs.
- Those suffering from ongoing, intense, or worrisome adverse reactions should discuss with a healthcare professional.
Latest studies has discovered that depression drug unwanted effects may be more diverse than once assumed.
This extensive study, released on October 21st, assessed the effect of depression treatments on more than 58,000 subjects within the beginning eight weeks of starting treatment.
The researchers analyzed 151 investigations of 30 pharmaceuticals typically used to manage depression. Although not every patient encounters adverse reactions, some of the most common observed in the research were variations in weight, arterial pressure, and metabolic parameters.
There were notable disparities between antidepressant drugs. As an illustration, an two-month course of one medication was connected with an average weight loss of approximately 2.4 kilograms (roughly 5.3 lbs), whereas another drug individuals added nearly 2 kg in the equivalent duration.
Additionally, notable fluctuations in cardiac function: fluvoxamine tended to decrease cardiac rhythm, in contrast another medication elevated it, creating a difference of around 21 heartbeats per minute between the both treatments. Blood pressure fluctuated as well, with an 11 millimeters of mercury disparity observed among nortriptyline and doxepin.
Antidepressant Medication Unwanted Effects Include a Extensive Range
Healthcare professionals noted that the research's findings are not recent or surprising to psychiatric specialists.
"We've long known that different antidepressant medications vary in their impacts on weight, blood pressure, and further metabolic measures," one specialist commented.
"However, what is notable about this research is the comprehensive, comparative assessment of these disparities among a extensive spectrum of bodily measurements using findings from over 58,000 participants," this professional noted.
This investigation offers strong proof of the magnitude of unwanted effects, certain of which are more frequent than others. Common antidepressant side effects may include:
- stomach problems (queasiness, diarrhea, irregularity)
- sexual dysfunction (decreased libido, orgasmic dysfunction)
- mass variations (gain or reduction, depending on the agent)
- sleep disturbances (inability to sleep or drowsiness)
- oral dehydration, perspiration, migraine
Additionally, less common but medically important unwanted effects may encompass:
- elevations in blood pressure or heart rate (especially with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and some tricyclic antidepressants)
- low sodium (notably in elderly individuals, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and SNRIs)
- increased liver enzymes
- QTc lengthening (risk of irregular heartbeat, notably with citalopram and some tricyclic antidepressants)
- emotional blunting or lack of interest
"A key factor to remember regarding this matter is that there are several distinct categories of antidepressants, which result in the varying negative medication effects," a different specialist commented.
"Moreover, antidepressant drugs can impact each person distinctly, and unwanted effects can differ based on the specific drug, dose, and patient considerations including body chemistry or comorbidities."
Although some unwanted effects, such as changes in sleep, appetite, or stamina, are fairly typical and commonly enhance as time passes, different reactions may be less typical or longer-lasting.
Consult with Your Healthcare Provider About Severe Adverse Reactions
Antidepressant side effects may vary in seriousness, which could justify a change in your treatment.
"An change in antidepressant may be necessary if the person encounters continuing or unbearable side effects that do not improve with time or supportive care," one expert stated.
"Furthermore, if there is an development of new health problems that may be exacerbated by the current medication, for example elevated BP, arrhythmia, or significant weight gain."
You may furthermore consider speaking with your doctor concerning any absence of meaningful improvement in low mood or worry signs after an appropriate testing period. The adequate testing period is generally 4–8 weeks duration at a therapeutic amount.
Patient inclination is additionally important. Certain people may prefer to evade particular adverse reactions, such as intimacy issues or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition