Antidepressant Unwanted Effects Including Weight, BP Changes Differ Depending on Medication
- A comprehensive new investigation determined that the unwanted effects of antidepressants range significantly by drug.
- Certain drugs led to weight loss, whereas other medications caused weight gain.
- Pulse rate and blood pressure furthermore varied significantly among medications.
- Patients experiencing ongoing, serious, or concerning adverse reactions should discuss with a medical provider.
New studies has revealed that antidepressant adverse reactions may be more extensive than once assumed.
This extensive study, released on the 21st of October, analyzed the influence of antidepressant medications on more than 58,000 participants within the beginning eight weeks of beginning treatment.
These investigators analyzed 151 studies of 30 pharmaceuticals typically used to treat clinical depression. Although not everyone develops adverse reactions, several of the most prevalent noted in the study were changes in weight, arterial pressure, and metabolic indicators.
There were striking differences among antidepressant drugs. As an illustration, an eight-week course of agomelatine was connected with an mean weight loss of about 2.4 kilos (about 5.3 pounds), while another drug users increased nearly 2 kg in the identical timeframe.
Additionally, notable variations in cardiovascular activity: one antidepressant often would reduce pulse rate, whereas another medication increased it, causing a difference of approximately 21 heartbeats per minute between the both treatments. Blood pressure differed as well, with an 11 millimeters of mercury difference observed between nortriptyline and another medication.
Depression Drug Unwanted Effects Encompass a Wide Array
Clinical professionals noted that the research's findings are not novel or startling to mental health professionals.
"It has long been understood that distinct antidepressants differ in their influences on body weight, arterial pressure, and further metabolic parameters," one professional explained.
"Nonetheless, what is significant about this investigation is the rigorous, comparison-based measurement of these differences across a wide range of physical indicators utilizing data from more than 58,000 participants," the expert noted.
This research offers robust evidence of the extent of side effects, certain of which are more common than others. Common antidepressant unwanted effects may encompass:
- gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, diarrhea, irregularity)
- sexual problems (lowered desire, orgasmic dysfunction)
- mass variations (addition or loss, based on the medication)
- sleep problems (insomnia or sleepiness)
- dry mouth, perspiration, headache
At the same time, rarer but therapeutically relevant unwanted effects may comprise:
- elevations in BP or heart rate (notably with SNRIs and some tricyclic antidepressants)
- hyponatremia (especially in senior patients, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
- increased liver enzymes
- QTc prolongation (potential of arrhythmia, especially with citalopram and certain tricyclics)
- reduced emotions or indifference
"One thing to note regarding this matter is that there are multiple distinct classes of depression drugs, which contribute to the distinct negative pharmaceutical effects," another specialist explained.
"Additionally, antidepressant medications can influence each patient variably, and negative side effects can range depending on the specific drug, dose, and personal considerations including metabolism or co-occurring conditions."
While some side effects, like changes in rest, hunger, or vitality, are quite frequent and commonly improve as time passes, different reactions may be less common or continuing.
Speak with Your Physician About Severe Adverse Reactions
Antidepressant medication side effects may differ in intensity, which could justify a modification in your treatment.
"An adjustment in antidepressant may be necessary if the patient experiences continuing or unbearable side effects that do not improve with time or supportive measures," a expert stated.
"Furthermore, if there is an development of recently developed medical issues that may be exacerbated by the current treatment, for instance high blood pressure, arrhythmia, or significant weight gain."
Individuals may furthermore contemplate speaking with your doctor concerning any lack of significant improvement in depression-related or anxiety-related symptoms following an sufficient evaluation duration. The appropriate evaluation duration is typically 4–8 weeks at a treatment amount.
Individual inclination is additionally significant. Certain individuals may want to prevent specific side effects, like intimacy issues or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition
