Antidepressant Medication Adverse Reactions Like Weight, BP Variations Differ Depending on Medication

- An comprehensive recent study found that the adverse reactions of antidepressant medications vary significantly by drug.
- Some drugs resulted in decreased mass, whereas other medications caused weight gain.
- Pulse rate and blood pressure also varied markedly among treatments.
- Individuals suffering from continuing, serious, or troubling adverse reactions must consult a medical provider.
New investigations has found that antidepressant side effects may be more varied than earlier believed.
The extensive research, issued on October 21st, examined the influence of antidepressant medications on in excess of 58,000 subjects within the first eight weeks of starting therapy.
These investigators examined 151 investigations of 30 drugs commonly employed to manage major depression. While not all individuals experiences adverse reactions, several of the most common recorded in the research were variations in body weight, BP, and metabolic markers.
Researchers observed notable disparities among antidepressant drugs. As an illustration, an eight-week course of one medication was associated with an average reduction in body weight of around 2.4 kg (about 5.3 pounds), whereas another drug patients gained close to 2 kg in the identical duration.
Furthermore, notable variations in cardiovascular activity: fluvoxamine was likely to decrease pulse rate, in contrast nortriptyline elevated it, causing a disparity of approximately 21 beats per minute across the two drugs. Blood pressure varied too, with an 11 mmHg difference seen among nortriptyline and another medication.
Depression Drug Unwanted Effects Encompass a Broad Range
Medical experts commented that the study's findings aren't recent or surprising to psychiatric specialists.
"Clinicians have long recognized that various antidepressant medications vary in their influences on weight, BP, and other metabolic measures," one professional commented.
"Nonetheless, what is significant about this study is the rigorous, comparative quantification of these disparities among a extensive range of physiological parameters using data from over 58,000 participants," this professional commented.
This investigation delivers comprehensive support of the extent of adverse reactions, several of which are more common than other effects. Frequent antidepressant adverse reactions may include:
- digestive issues (nausea, diarrhea, blockage)
- intimacy issues (lowered desire, orgasmic dysfunction)
- body weight fluctuations (gain or reduction, depending on the medication)
- sleep disturbances (insomnia or sleepiness)
- mouth dryness, perspiration, headache
At the same time, less frequent but medically important side effects may include:
- increases in BP or cardiac rhythm (notably with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and certain tricyclics)
- hyponatremia (notably in elderly individuals, with SSRIs and SNRIs)
- liver enzyme elevations
- QTc lengthening (risk of abnormal heart rhythm, particularly with one medication and some tricyclic antidepressants)
- reduced emotions or indifference
"One thing to note here is that there are various distinct types of antidepressants, which result in the different adverse pharmaceutical reactions," another specialist commented.
"Additionally, depression treatments can affect every individual variably, and unwanted reactions can vary depending on the exact drug, dosage, and personal elements like body chemistry or co-occurring conditions."
Although certain unwanted effects, including changes in sleep, appetite, or vitality, are reasonably frequent and often enhance over time, different reactions may be less common or longer-lasting.
Consult with Your Doctor About Serious Side Effects
Depression drug side effects may differ in severity, which could require a change in your medication.
"A modification in antidepressant medication may be necessary if the person suffers persistent or unbearable side effects that do not improve with passing days or supportive care," one professional stated.
"Moreover, if there is an emergence of new health problems that may be aggravated by the current treatment, such as high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythm, or substantial increased body weight."
Patients may additionally contemplate talking with your healthcare provider concerning any deficiency of substantial enhancement in low mood or anxiety-related symptoms subsequent to an sufficient trial period. An sufficient evaluation duration is usually 4–8 weeks' time at a treatment amount.
Personal inclination is furthermore significant. Certain individuals may prefer to avoid specific unwanted effects, including sexual problems or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition