Antidepressant Medication Adverse Reactions Like Body Weight, Blood Pressure Fluctuations Range Depending on Medication

- An comprehensive new study determined that the adverse reactions of antidepressant medications range considerably by drug.
- Some pharmaceuticals caused reduced body weight, while other medications resulted in added mass.
- Cardiac rhythm and BP additionally diverged markedly among treatments.
- Individuals experiencing persistent, intense, or troubling adverse reactions must speak with a medical provider.
New research has discovered that antidepressant medication side effects may be more varied than previously thought.
The comprehensive investigation, published on October 21st, examined the effect of depression treatments on in excess of 58,000 subjects within the initial two months of beginning medication.
The researchers studied 151 studies of 30 medications typically employed to treat clinical depression. Although not all individuals develops adverse reactions, some of the most frequent observed in the study were variations in body weight, arterial pressure, and metabolic markers.
Researchers observed significant disparities between antidepressant medications. For instance, an 60-day treatment period of agomelatine was linked to an typical reduction in body weight of approximately 2.4 kilos (roughly 5.3 pounds), whereas another drug patients gained close to 2 kg in the equivalent duration.
Additionally, marked fluctuations in heart function: fluvoxamine was likely to decrease heart rate, whereas another medication increased it, causing a disparity of around 21 heartbeats per minute among the two medications. Blood pressure fluctuated as well, with an 11 mmHg disparity noted across nortriptyline and doxepin.
Antidepressant Adverse Reactions Encompass a Broad Array
Medical specialists observed that the investigation's conclusions are not novel or unexpected to psychiatric specialists.
"We've long known that distinct antidepressants vary in their effects on weight, arterial pressure, and additional metabolic measures," one specialist commented.
"However, what is notable about this investigation is the comprehensive, comparison-based measurement of these differences among a wide array of physical indicators employing findings from in excess of 58,000 individuals," the expert commented.
The investigation offers robust proof of the extent of unwanted effects, certain of which are more common than others. Frequent depression drug side effects may include:
- gastrointestinal symptoms (sickness, diarrhea, blockage)
- sexual problems (reduced sex drive, anorgasmia)
- body weight fluctuations (gain or decrease, based on the agent)
- rest issues (insomnia or sedation)
- oral dehydration, moisture, migraine
At the same time, less frequent but clinically significant adverse reactions may comprise:
- elevations in blood pressure or cardiac rhythm (particularly with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
- hyponatremia (especially in elderly individuals, with SSRIs and SNRIs)
- increased liver enzymes
- QTc prolongation (risk of abnormal heart rhythm, particularly with one medication and some tricyclic antidepressants)
- diminished feelings or apathy
"One thing to remember regarding this matter is that there are multiple varying classes of antidepressants, which lead to the varying negative medication effects," a different expert commented.
"Furthermore, depression treatments can influence every individual distinctly, and unwanted side effects can range according to the particular pharmaceutical, dosage, and personal factors such as body chemistry or comorbidities."
While some side effects, such as fluctuations in sleep, hunger, or stamina, are reasonably frequent and frequently get better with time, other effects may be less typical or continuing.
Talk with Your Physician Regarding Serious Unwanted Effects
Antidepressant unwanted effects may differ in severity, which could warrant a adjustment in your drug.
"An modification in depression drug may be necessary if the person encounters persistent or unacceptable side effects that fail to enhance with duration or management strategies," a professional said.
"Furthermore, if there is an development of recently developed medical issues that may be aggravated by the current drug, such as elevated BP, abnormal heart rhythm, or substantial increased body weight."
You may furthermore consider talking with your healthcare provider concerning any lack of meaningful progress in depressive or worry indicators subsequent to an adequate testing period. The sufficient trial period is generally 4–8 weeks duration at a therapeutic dose.
Personal inclination is also significant. Certain individuals may want to avoid specific adverse reactions, including intimacy issues or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition