Antidepressant Side Effects Including Body Weight, BP Fluctuations Range Depending on Medication

- An extensive recent research determined that the adverse reactions of depression drugs range significantly by drug.
- Some drugs caused reduced body weight, whereas others resulted in increased body weight.
- Cardiac rhythm and blood pressure furthermore varied notably among medications.
- Patients experiencing continuing, intense, or troubling adverse reactions must speak with a physician.
Recent studies has found that antidepressant unwanted effects may be more varied than previously thought.
This comprehensive research, issued on October 21, examined the influence of depression treatments on in excess of 58,000 individuals within the initial 60 days of starting treatment.
These researchers studied 151 research projects of 30 pharmaceuticals typically used to address depression. Although not everyone develops unwanted effects, some of the most prevalent observed in the study were variations in weight, blood pressure, and metabolic parameters.
The study revealed striking variations across depression treatments. For example, an two-month regimen of agomelatine was connected with an typical decrease in mass of about 2.4 kilos (roughly 5.3 pounds), whereas another drug users added almost 2 kg in the equivalent duration.
Furthermore, significant fluctuations in cardiac function: fluvoxamine tended to decrease cardiac rhythm, while another medication increased it, causing a gap of about 21 BPM among the two drugs. Arterial pressure differed too, with an 11 millimeters of mercury difference observed among nortriptyline and another medication.
Antidepressant Medication Adverse Reactions Encompass a Broad Array
Clinical specialists noted that the study's results aren't new or unexpected to mental health professionals.
"It has long been understood that various depression drugs vary in their impacts on body weight, BP, and additional metabolic measures," a specialist explained.
"Nonetheless, what is notable about this investigation is the rigorous, relative measurement of these differences throughout a wide array of physical indicators employing information from over 58,000 participants," the specialist added.
The study delivers strong proof of the degree of adverse reactions, several of which are more frequent than different reactions. Common depression drug unwanted effects may comprise:
- gastrointestinal symptoms (sickness, bowel issues, blockage)
- sexual dysfunction (lowered desire, inability to orgasm)
- mass variations (increase or loss, according to the agent)
- sleep disturbances (insomnia or sedation)
- oral dehydration, sweating, headache
Meanwhile, less common but medically important unwanted effects may encompass:
- rises in blood pressure or pulse rate (notably with SNRIs and some tricyclics)
- low sodium (notably in older adults, with SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
- liver enzyme elevations
- Corrected QT interval prolongation (chance of irregular heartbeat, especially with citalopram and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
- diminished feelings or lack of interest
"One thing to note here is that there are several varying categories of antidepressants, which result in the different negative medication side effects," another expert commented.
"Furthermore, antidepressant drugs can impact each patient variably, and unwanted effects can vary depending on the specific medication, dose, and patient elements like metabolism or co-occurring conditions."
Although certain unwanted effects, including fluctuations in rest, hunger, or stamina, are fairly frequent and frequently improve with time, others may be less common or more persistent.
Speak with Your Doctor About Intense Unwanted Effects
Antidepressant medication unwanted effects may vary in seriousness, which could warrant a adjustment in your drug.
"An adjustment in antidepressant medication may be necessary if the person experiences continuing or intolerable side effects that don't get better with duration or supportive measures," a professional said.
"Furthermore, if there is an development of recently developed medical issues that may be exacerbated by the present treatment, such as elevated BP, irregular heartbeat, or substantial weight gain."
Individuals may additionally contemplate speaking with your healthcare provider regarding any deficiency of meaningful improvement in depressive or worry symptoms following an appropriate evaluation duration. The appropriate evaluation duration is typically 4–8 weeks' time at a treatment amount.
Individual choice is also crucial. Some people may want to evade specific adverse reactions, such as sexual dysfunction or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition