Antidepressant Medication Unwanted Effects Such as Weight, BP Variations Range Depending on Medication
- A comprehensive recent study determined that the side effects of depression drugs range considerably by drug.
- Some pharmaceuticals resulted in weight loss, while other medications led to added mass.
- Cardiac rhythm and BP also differed notably among treatments.
- Patients experiencing persistent, intense, or concerning side effects should consult a healthcare professional.
New research has found that antidepressant side effects may be more diverse than earlier believed.
The large-scale study, released on October 21st, assessed the impact of depression treatments on in excess of 58,000 individuals within the beginning eight weeks of starting treatment.
The scientists analyzed 151 studies of 30 pharmaceuticals commonly prescribed to manage major depression. While not every patient develops unwanted effects, certain of the most prevalent observed in the research were variations in body weight, arterial pressure, and metabolic parameters.
Researchers observed significant disparities across antidepressant drugs. For example, an two-month course of one medication was connected with an average decrease in mass of about 2.4 kilos (roughly 5.3 lbs), while another drug users gained nearly 2 kg in the equivalent timeframe.
Furthermore, marked fluctuations in cardiac function: one antidepressant tended to slow heart rate, whereas nortriptyline raised it, causing a disparity of about 21 beats per minute among the two medications. Blood pressure varied as well, with an 11 millimeters of mercury variation seen across nortriptyline and doxepin.
Depression Drug Side Effects Comprise a Wide Range
Healthcare specialists noted that the investigation's results are not considered recent or surprising to psychiatric specialists.
"We've long known that different depression drugs vary in their influences on body weight, blood pressure, and additional metabolic parameters," one professional explained.
"Nevertheless, what is significant about this research is the rigorous, comparison-based assessment of these variations across a broad range of bodily measurements using data from more than 58,000 participants," the specialist added.
This investigation delivers strong evidence of the degree of side effects, certain of which are more frequent than different reactions. Frequent antidepressant side effects may encompass:
- stomach problems (queasiness, loose stools, blockage)
- sexual problems (lowered desire, anorgasmia)
- body weight fluctuations (gain or loss, based on the medication)
- sleep problems (inability to sleep or sedation)
- oral dehydration, sweating, head pain
At the same time, less frequent but therapeutically relevant adverse reactions may comprise:
- elevations in arterial pressure or pulse rate (notably with SNRIs and some tricyclic antidepressants)
- reduced blood sodium (notably in senior patients, with SSRIs and SNRIs)
- increased liver enzymes
- Corrected QT interval prolongation (risk of arrhythmia, especially with citalopram and some tricyclic antidepressants)
- reduced emotions or apathy
"A key factor to note here is that there are several different classes of depression drugs, which lead to the distinct adverse pharmaceutical side effects," another expert explained.
"Moreover, antidepressant drugs can influence each patient distinctly, and adverse side effects can differ based on the specific pharmaceutical, dose, and patient considerations like metabolism or comorbidities."
Although certain side effects, including changes in rest, hunger, or stamina, are fairly common and often get better with time, others may be less common or longer-lasting.
Talk with Your Doctor About Serious Adverse Reactions
Antidepressant side effects may range in severity, which could warrant a modification in your treatment.
"An modification in depression drug may be necessary if the person suffers persistent or intolerable side effects that fail to enhance with duration or supportive care," one specialist said.
"Furthermore, if there is an development of new medical issues that may be aggravated by the current drug, for instance high blood pressure, arrhythmia, or significant increased body weight."
Patients may also contemplate consulting with your healthcare provider about any deficiency of substantial enhancement in low mood or anxiety indicators subsequent to an adequate testing period. An adequate trial period is usually 4–8 weeks at a treatment dosage.
Personal preference is additionally crucial. Certain people may want to evade particular side effects, such as intimacy issues or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition
