Antidepressant Medication Side Effects Including Weight, BP Variations Range Depending on Medication
- A extensive new research discovered that the adverse reactions of antidepressants differ significantly by drug.
- Some pharmaceuticals caused weight loss, whereas others resulted in added mass.
- Heart rate and blood pressure additionally varied notably among drugs.
- Individuals suffering from persistent, intense, or concerning side effects ought to consult a healthcare professional.
New studies has found that depression drug side effects may be more diverse than once assumed.
The extensive investigation, published on the 21st of October, assessed the influence of depression treatments on more than 58,000 subjects within the first 60 days of commencing therapy.
The researchers studied 151 studies of 30 medications typically employed to manage clinical depression. While not everyone experiences side effects, some of the most prevalent observed in the research were variations in weight, arterial pressure, and metabolic markers.
The study revealed striking variations across antidepressant medications. As an illustration, an eight-week treatment period of agomelatine was connected with an average weight loss of around 2.4 kg (approximately 5.3 lbs), whereas another drug patients increased nearly 2 kg in the equivalent period.
Additionally, notable variations in cardiovascular activity: one antidepressant was likely to decrease heart rate, while nortriptyline increased it, producing a disparity of approximately 21 heartbeats per minute between the two drugs. Arterial pressure differed also, with an 11 mmHg disparity observed across nortriptyline and doxepin.
Antidepressant Medication Adverse Reactions Include a Broad Spectrum
Medical professionals observed that the investigation's conclusions are not considered novel or surprising to mental health professionals.
"Clinicians have long recognized that distinct depression drugs range in their impacts on body weight, blood pressure, and other metabolic measures," one professional commented.
"Nevertheless, what is remarkable about this research is the rigorous, comparison-based quantification of these disparities among a broad range of physical indicators using data from over 58,000 individuals," the specialist added.
This study delivers comprehensive proof of the degree of adverse reactions, certain of which are more frequent than other effects. Typical depression drug unwanted effects may include:
- digestive issues (queasiness, bowel issues, blockage)
- intimacy issues (lowered desire, anorgasmia)
- weight changes (gain or decrease, based on the medication)
- rest issues (sleeplessness or sedation)
- dry mouth, sweating, headache
At the same time, rarer but therapeutically relevant unwanted effects may include:
- elevations in arterial pressure or heart rate (especially with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
- hyponatremia (particularly in elderly individuals, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
- elevated hepatic parameters
- Corrected QT interval lengthening (risk of arrhythmia, especially with one medication and some tricyclics)
- emotional blunting or indifference
"A key factor to note here is that there are multiple varying categories of antidepressant medications, which contribute to the distinct unwanted drug reactions," a different expert stated.
"Moreover, antidepressant drugs can affect each patient differently, and unwanted effects can differ depending on the specific drug, dosage, and patient considerations including metabolic rate or simultaneous health issues."
Although several side effects, including variations in sleep, appetite, or vitality, are quite common and commonly improve as time passes, other effects may be less typical or more persistent.
Consult with Your Doctor Regarding Intense Unwanted Effects
Antidepressant unwanted effects may differ in severity, which could justify a change in your treatment.
"A modification in antidepressant medication may be appropriate if the individual suffers ongoing or intolerable adverse reactions that fail to enhance with passing days or supportive care," a expert commented.
"Furthermore, if there is an development of new medical issues that may be worsened by the existing medication, for instance elevated BP, irregular heartbeat, or significant weight gain."
Individuals may furthermore think about consulting with your healthcare provider about any lack of meaningful progress in low mood or worry indicators following an sufficient testing period. The appropriate trial period is generally 4–8 weeks at a treatment dose.
Individual inclination is additionally crucial. Certain people may choose to avoid certain adverse reactions, like sexual dysfunction or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition
