Depression Drug Side Effects Such as Body Weight, Blood Pressure Fluctuations Differ Based on Pharmaceutical

- An comprehensive recent research determined that the unwanted effects of antidepressant medications vary considerably by drug.
- Certain medications resulted in reduced body weight, while different drugs resulted in increased body weight.
- Cardiac rhythm and BP furthermore diverged notably among drugs.
- Patients encountering ongoing, serious, or troubling unwanted effects must discuss with a physician.
New investigations has found that antidepressant medication adverse reactions may be more varied than previously thought.
This large-scale study, issued on the 21st of October, assessed the impact of antidepressant drugs on over 58,000 participants within the first 60 days of commencing treatment.
These scientists examined 151 studies of 30 pharmaceuticals commonly employed to manage major depression. Although not all individuals encounters unwanted effects, certain of the most prevalent noted in the investigation were variations in body weight, blood pressure, and metabolic parameters.
There were notable differences among depression treatments. For example, an two-month course of agomelatine was connected with an average decrease in mass of approximately 2.4 kilograms (roughly 5.3 lbs), while another drug patients gained close to 2 kg in the equivalent timeframe.
Furthermore, significant changes in heart function: fluvoxamine often would decrease pulse rate, in contrast another medication elevated it, producing a disparity of around 21 heartbeats per minute between the both treatments. Arterial pressure fluctuated too, with an 11 millimeters of mercury variation noted between one drug and doxepin.
Antidepressant Medication Adverse Reactions Comprise a Wide Array
Clinical experts commented that the research's results are not considered novel or unexpected to psychiatric specialists.
"Clinicians have long recognized that various depression drugs vary in their influences on weight, BP, and further metabolic parameters," one expert commented.
"However, what is remarkable about this investigation is the thorough, comparative quantification of these differences among a broad array of physiological parameters utilizing information from over 58,000 participants," this professional added.
This research delivers comprehensive proof of the degree of unwanted effects, certain of which are more frequent than different reactions. Common antidepressant medication side effects may encompass:
- stomach problems (nausea, loose stools, irregularity)
- sexual problems (lowered desire, orgasmic dysfunction)
- weight changes (addition or loss, according to the medication)
- sleep disturbances (insomnia or drowsiness)
- mouth dryness, perspiration, migraine
Additionally, less common but clinically significant adverse reactions may include:
- rises in BP or heart rate (particularly with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and some tricyclic antidepressants)
- reduced blood sodium (especially in elderly individuals, with SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
- liver enzyme elevations
- Corrected QT interval extension (risk of irregular heartbeat, especially with one medication and some tricyclic antidepressants)
- diminished feelings or indifference
"One thing to consider here is that there are multiple distinct categories of antidepressants, which contribute to the different unwanted medication reactions," another professional commented.
"Additionally, antidepressant drugs can affect every individual differently, and adverse reactions can range based on the specific pharmaceutical, dosage, and personal factors including body chemistry or simultaneous health issues."
While several adverse reactions, such as variations in rest, appetite, or vitality, are quite common and commonly improve over time, different reactions may be less frequent or more persistent.
Speak with Your Doctor Regarding Serious Adverse Reactions
Antidepressant adverse reactions may differ in seriousness, which could require a change in your drug.
"A change in depression drug may be warranted if the person suffers ongoing or unacceptable adverse reactions that don't get better with passing days or management strategies," one professional stated.
"Additionally, if there is an emergence of new medical conditions that may be exacerbated by the existing drug, for example hypertension, irregular heartbeat, or significant increased body weight."
Patients may furthermore think about consulting with your healthcare provider concerning any deficiency of significant progress in low mood or anxiety-related indicators after an sufficient testing period. An adequate trial period is usually 4–8 weeks' time at a effective dosage.
Patient inclination is additionally crucial. Certain people may want to evade specific adverse reactions, including intimacy issues or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition