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

- An extensive recent research determined that the adverse reactions of antidepressants range significantly by drug.
- Some drugs led to reduced body weight, while other medications caused increased body weight.
- Cardiac rhythm and BP also varied significantly among drugs.
- Individuals experiencing persistent, severe, or worrisome side effects must consult a healthcare professional.
Latest studies has found that antidepressant unwanted effects may be more varied than once assumed.
This extensive investigation, published on October 21st, assessed the influence of depression treatments on more than 58,000 individuals within the beginning two months of beginning treatment.
These investigators analyzed 151 studies of 30 pharmaceuticals typically employed to treat clinical depression. Although not every patient encounters side effects, some of the most frequent observed in the study were variations in body weight, blood pressure, and metabolic markers.
Researchers observed significant disparities between depression treatments. For instance, an two-month treatment period of one medication was connected with an average weight loss of approximately 2.4 kilograms (about 5.3 lbs), while maprotiline individuals added nearly 2 kg in the equivalent duration.
There were also, significant changes in cardiovascular activity: fluvoxamine was likely to decrease pulse rate, while nortriptyline raised it, producing a gap of around 21 heartbeats per minute among the both treatments. Arterial pressure differed as well, with an 11 millimeters of mercury difference seen between nortriptyline and another medication.
Antidepressant Medication Unwanted Effects Include a Broad Array
Healthcare specialists noted that the investigation's findings are not considered new or surprising to psychiatrists.
"Clinicians have long recognized that various depression drugs vary in their effects on body weight, arterial pressure, and other metabolic measures," a professional stated.
"Nevertheless, what is significant about this study is the comprehensive, comparison-based quantification of these variations across a broad spectrum of bodily measurements using data from more than 58,000 individuals," the professional noted.
This investigation offers strong proof of the magnitude of unwanted effects, some of which are more frequent than different reactions. Frequent depression drug adverse reactions may include:
- digestive issues (queasiness, diarrhea, blockage)
- intimacy issues (reduced sex drive, inability to orgasm)
- mass variations (increase or decrease, depending on the drug)
- sleep disturbances (sleeplessness or drowsiness)
- mouth dryness, perspiration, migraine
Additionally, rarer but clinically significant adverse reactions may comprise:
- rises in arterial pressure or cardiac rhythm (notably with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and some tricyclics)
- low sodium (especially in older adults, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and SNRIs)
- elevated hepatic parameters
- Corrected QT interval prolongation (chance of abnormal heart rhythm, especially with citalopram and some tricyclic antidepressants)
- diminished feelings or apathy
"One thing to remember here is that there are several varying categories of depression drugs, which contribute to the different adverse drug side effects," another professional explained.
"Furthermore, antidepressant drugs can affect each person variably, and adverse reactions can differ according to the particular medication, dose, and individual factors including body chemistry or simultaneous health issues."
While some adverse reactions, including changes in rest, hunger, or vitality, are reasonably common and frequently enhance with time, other effects may be less common or longer-lasting.
Consult with Your Doctor About Intense Side Effects
Depression drug adverse reactions may range in seriousness, which could justify a change in your treatment.
"An adjustment in depression drug may be warranted if the person experiences continuing or unacceptable unwanted effects that fail to enhance with duration or management strategies," a expert stated.
"Furthermore, if there is an development of recently developed health problems that may be aggravated by the current treatment, for instance elevated BP, arrhythmia, or considerable weight gain."
Patients may additionally consider talking with your healthcare provider regarding any absence of meaningful progress in low mood or worry signs subsequent to an sufficient testing period. The appropriate testing period is usually 4–8 weeks duration at a treatment dosage.
Patient preference is also important. Certain people may choose to avoid specific side effects, like sexual problems or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition