Antidepressant Adverse Reactions Like Body Weight, Blood Pressure Variations Range Based on Pharmaceutical

- A large recent research determined that the side effects of antidepressant medications differ substantially by drug.
- Some medications led to reduced body weight, whereas other medications caused increased body weight.
- Cardiac rhythm and BP also varied markedly among drugs.
- Patients suffering from continuing, intense, or concerning adverse reactions should consult a healthcare professional.
Latest investigations has found that antidepressant medication adverse reactions may be more varied than previously thought.
This extensive research, published on October 21st, assessed the influence of depression treatments on over 58,000 subjects within the first 60 days of commencing treatment.
The investigators analyzed 151 studies of 30 pharmaceuticals commonly used to address clinical depression. While not all individuals develops side effects, some of the most common recorded in the research were variations in body weight, blood pressure, and metabolic markers.
There were notable disparities between depression treatments. As an illustration, an 60-day regimen of agomelatine was connected with an typical reduction in body weight of about 2.4 kilograms (about 5.3 lbs), while maprotiline patients increased almost 2 kg in the equivalent duration.
Furthermore, significant changes in cardiac function: one antidepressant was likely to decrease heart rate, in contrast another medication raised it, creating a disparity of about 21 BPM across the both treatments. Blood pressure varied as well, with an 11 mmHg variation seen across one drug and another medication.
Depression Drug Adverse Reactions Include a Wide Spectrum
Medical specialists noted that the investigation's conclusions are not considered new or surprising to psychiatrists.
"It has long been understood that various antidepressants vary in their impacts on body weight, blood pressure, and other metabolic measures," a professional commented.
"Nevertheless, what is significant about this study is the rigorous, comparison-based measurement of these differences among a broad array of bodily measurements employing information from in excess of 58,000 individuals," this expert commented.
This study delivers comprehensive support of the magnitude of side effects, certain of which are more common than different reactions. Common antidepressant medication adverse reactions may encompass:
- gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, bowel issues, blockage)
- sexual dysfunction (decreased libido, inability to orgasm)
- mass variations (addition or loss, based on the agent)
- rest issues (inability to sleep or drowsiness)
- mouth dryness, moisture, headache
Additionally, less common but medically important adverse reactions may encompass:
- elevations in arterial pressure or pulse rate (notably with SNRIs and some tricyclic antidepressants)
- reduced blood sodium (notably in older adults, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
- liver enzyme elevations
- Corrected QT interval prolongation (chance of arrhythmia, notably with one medication and some tricyclics)
- diminished feelings or lack of interest
"An important point to remember regarding this matter is that there are multiple different categories of depression drugs, which lead to the varying negative medication side effects," another professional explained.
"Moreover, antidepressant medications can affect each patient variably, and unwanted reactions can vary depending on the specific medication, dosage, and personal factors such as metabolic rate or simultaneous health issues."
Although some side effects, such as variations in rest, hunger, or vitality, are reasonably typical and often get better over time, others may be less typical or more persistent.
Speak with Your Healthcare Provider About Severe Unwanted Effects
Depression drug unwanted effects may range in seriousness, which could warrant a adjustment in your drug.
"An adjustment in antidepressant may be appropriate if the patient suffers ongoing or unacceptable unwanted effects that fail to enhance with duration or supportive care," a expert said.
"Additionally, if there is an appearance of recently developed health problems that may be worsened by the present treatment, such as hypertension, irregular heartbeat, or significant increased body weight."
You may additionally contemplate speaking with your healthcare provider regarding any lack of meaningful improvement in depression-related or anxiety indicators after an sufficient testing period. An adequate trial period is usually 4–8 weeks at a treatment dosage.
Patient inclination is also important. Some people may choose to evade specific adverse reactions, like intimacy issues or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition