Antidepressant Medication Unwanted Effects Such as Body Weight, Blood Pressure Variations Range Based on Pharmaceutical

- A comprehensive new research discovered that the unwanted effects of antidepressants vary considerably by drug.
- Some medications resulted in decreased mass, while other medications caused increased body weight.
- Cardiac rhythm and blood pressure furthermore diverged markedly between drugs.
- Patients suffering from persistent, intense, or troubling unwanted effects ought to discuss with a physician.
Recent investigations has found that antidepressant adverse reactions may be more varied than once assumed.
This comprehensive investigation, issued on October 21st, assessed the impact of depression treatments on more than 58,000 participants within the first 60 days of commencing treatment.
These researchers studied 151 research projects of 30 medications commonly used to manage depression. While not all individuals encounters unwanted effects, certain of the most common noted in the research were variations in body weight, arterial pressure, and metabolic indicators.
There were significant disparities among depression treatments. As an illustration, an two-month course of one medication was linked to an mean decrease in mass of approximately 2.4 kilograms (roughly 5.3 lbs), while another drug individuals gained nearly 2 kg in the same period.
Additionally, notable fluctuations in cardiac function: one antidepressant often would slow cardiac rhythm, while nortriptyline raised it, producing a gap of around 21 BPM across the two medications. Arterial pressure varied also, with an 11 mmHg disparity observed across nortriptyline and another medication.
Depression Drug Adverse Reactions Include a Wide Array
Medical professionals commented that the research's conclusions are not considered novel or startling to psychiatric specialists.
"Clinicians have long recognized that various depression drugs differ in their effects on weight, arterial pressure, and further metabolic indicators," one professional commented.
"Nonetheless, what is significant about this investigation is the rigorous, relative quantification of these differences among a extensive array of physical indicators utilizing findings from in excess of 58,000 participants," the expert noted.
This investigation offers comprehensive proof of the degree of side effects, certain of which are more common than different reactions. Common antidepressant medication adverse reactions may comprise:
- digestive issues (sickness, bowel issues, constipation)
- sexual dysfunction (decreased libido, inability to orgasm)
- weight changes (increase or loss, based on the medication)
- sleep disturbances (insomnia or sedation)
- dry mouth, sweating, headache
Meanwhile, less frequent but therapeutically relevant unwanted effects may encompass:
- elevations in arterial pressure or pulse rate (notably with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and some tricyclics)
- low sodium (particularly in elderly individuals, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
- liver enzyme elevations
- Corrected QT interval prolongation (potential of arrhythmia, particularly with one medication and some tricyclic antidepressants)
- diminished feelings or lack of interest
"An important point to remember in this context is that there are multiple different categories of antidepressant medications, which lead to the varying adverse pharmaceutical effects," a different expert commented.
"Furthermore, antidepressant medications can impact every individual variably, and negative effects can vary according to the exact drug, amount, and patient elements including body chemistry or comorbidities."
Although certain unwanted effects, like fluctuations in sleep, appetite, or energy levels, are quite typical and often improve as time passes, different reactions may be less common or longer-lasting.
Talk with Your Doctor Concerning Serious Adverse Reactions
Depression drug side effects may vary in intensity, which could warrant a adjustment in your treatment.
"An modification in antidepressant may be appropriate if the patient experiences ongoing or intolerable adverse reactions that fail to enhance with duration or supportive care," a specialist stated.
"Additionally, if there is an emergence of recent health problems that may be worsened by the existing treatment, for example high blood pressure, arrhythmia, or substantial increased body weight."
Individuals may furthermore contemplate consulting with your healthcare provider concerning any lack of meaningful improvement in depression-related or worry indicators after an sufficient testing period. The sufficient testing period is generally 4–8 weeks at a effective dose.
Individual inclination is furthermore significant. Some individuals may prefer to prevent certain unwanted effects, like sexual dysfunction or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition