Depression Drug Adverse Reactions Like Body Weight, BP Fluctuations Vary Based on Pharmaceutical

- A comprehensive latest research discovered that the unwanted effects of antidepressant medications differ significantly by drug.
- Certain drugs caused reduced body weight, while different drugs resulted in increased body weight.
- Heart rate and BP additionally differed notably among medications.
- Those experiencing ongoing, severe, or worrisome unwanted effects must speak with a healthcare professional.
New studies has revealed that antidepressant side effects may be more extensive than earlier believed.
This extensive research, published on October 21, assessed the effect of antidepressant drugs on more than 58,000 participants within the beginning 60 days of beginning therapy.
These investigators analyzed 151 investigations of 30 medications frequently prescribed to treat major depression. While not everyone encounters unwanted effects, certain of the most frequent noted in the research were variations in weight, BP, and metabolic indicators.
The study revealed striking differences among antidepressant drugs. For example, an eight-week course of one medication was connected with an average weight loss of approximately 2.4 kilograms (roughly 5.3 lbs), whereas another drug individuals increased almost 2 kg in the identical timeframe.
Additionally, marked fluctuations in cardiac function: fluvoxamine was likely to slow cardiac rhythm, while nortriptyline raised it, producing a disparity of about 21 beats per minute across the both treatments. BP varied too, with an 11 millimeters of mercury difference seen between one drug and another medication.
Depression Drug Adverse Reactions Include a Broad Range
Clinical specialists observed that the investigation's results aren't new or surprising to psychiatrists.
"It has long been understood that various antidepressant medications range in their influences on weight, blood pressure, and other metabolic measures," one professional commented.
"However, what is remarkable about this investigation is the comprehensive, comparative measurement of these variations throughout a extensive spectrum of physiological parameters utilizing information from over 58,000 individuals," the specialist added.
The investigation provides strong support of the magnitude of adverse reactions, certain of which are more common than different reactions. Typical antidepressant medication adverse reactions may include:
- gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, diarrhea, blockage)
- sexual problems (decreased libido, orgasmic dysfunction)
- weight changes (gain or loss, based on the drug)
- sleep problems (insomnia or sleepiness)
- mouth dryness, moisture, headache
Additionally, less common but therapeutically relevant unwanted effects may include:
- elevations in blood pressure or cardiac rhythm (notably with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and some tricyclic antidepressants)
- low sodium (especially in senior patients, with SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
- elevated hepatic parameters
- Corrected QT interval lengthening (risk of arrhythmia, notably with citalopram and some tricyclic antidepressants)
- reduced emotions or indifference
"An important point to note regarding this matter is that there are various distinct types of antidepressants, which result in the varying unwanted drug reactions," a different expert explained.
"Moreover, antidepressant medications can impact every individual variably, and unwanted effects can differ according to the exact pharmaceutical, amount, and individual factors including metabolism or simultaneous health issues."
Although some side effects, including fluctuations in sleep, hunger, or vitality, are quite frequent and often improve with time, different reactions may be less common or more persistent.
Talk with Your Healthcare Provider Regarding Serious Unwanted Effects
Antidepressant medication adverse reactions may range in severity, which could require a modification in your medication.
"An adjustment in depression drug may be necessary if the person suffers persistent or intolerable unwanted effects that don't get better with passing days or management strategies," a specialist stated.
"Moreover, if there is an emergence of new medical conditions that may be aggravated by the current drug, for example elevated BP, arrhythmia, or substantial weight gain."
Patients may additionally contemplate talking with your physician regarding any absence of significant enhancement in depressive or anxiety symptoms subsequent to an sufficient evaluation duration. The adequate testing period is usually 4–8 weeks at a treatment dose.
Personal inclination is additionally important. Some patients may choose to evade certain side effects, including intimacy issues or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition