Depression Drug Side Effects Including Weight, Blood Pressure Variations Vary by Drug

- An large recent study found that the adverse reactions of antidepressant medications vary significantly by drug.
- Some drugs caused weight loss, whereas others led to added mass.
- Pulse rate and BP furthermore varied significantly among drugs.
- Those suffering from continuing, severe, or concerning adverse reactions should discuss with a medical provider.
Latest studies has discovered that antidepressant side effects may be more varied than once assumed.
The large-scale research, released on the 21st of October, analyzed the effect of depression treatments on over 58,000 subjects within the first two months of beginning therapy.
These investigators analyzed 151 investigations of 30 pharmaceuticals commonly prescribed to manage major depression. Although not all individuals develops side effects, several of the most common recorded in the research were fluctuations in body weight, arterial pressure, and metabolic indicators.
The study revealed significant disparities between depression treatments. For instance, an eight-week course of agomelatine was associated with an average reduction in body weight of approximately 2.4 kilos (about 5.3 pounds), whereas maprotiline users added almost 2 kg in the equivalent duration.
Additionally, notable variations in heart function: one antidepressant often would slow heart rate, in contrast another medication raised it, producing a gap of about 21 BPM between the both treatments. BP fluctuated also, with an 11 mmHg variation observed among nortriptyline and doxepin.
Antidepressant Unwanted Effects Encompass a Broad Range
Clinical professionals noted that the research's findings are not considered recent or startling to psychiatric specialists.
"It has long been understood that different antidepressants differ in their effects on weight, arterial pressure, and other metabolic measures," a professional stated.
"However, what is notable about this investigation is the rigorous, comparative assessment of these disparities throughout a broad array of bodily measurements using data from in excess of 58,000 individuals," this professional noted.
This investigation provides robust proof of the magnitude of unwanted effects, certain of which are more prevalent than different reactions. Common antidepressant medication side effects may comprise:
- digestive issues (nausea, loose stools, irregularity)
- sexual dysfunction (lowered desire, anorgasmia)
- weight changes (increase or reduction, based on the agent)
- sleep disturbances (inability to sleep or sleepiness)
- mouth dryness, sweating, migraine
Meanwhile, less common but medically important adverse reactions may include:
- elevations in arterial pressure or heart rate (notably with SNRIs and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
- low sodium (notably in senior patients, with SSRIs and SNRIs)
- liver enzyme elevations
- QTc prolongation (chance of abnormal heart rhythm, notably with one medication and some tricyclics)
- emotional blunting or lack of interest
"A key factor to consider in this context is that there are several distinct categories of antidepressants, which result in the varying unwanted pharmaceutical effects," a different expert explained.
"Additionally, antidepressant medications can affect each patient distinctly, and adverse reactions can vary depending on the particular pharmaceutical, dose, and patient factors like body chemistry or simultaneous health issues."
Although several unwanted effects, like changes in rest, hunger, or vitality, are reasonably typical and frequently improve as time passes, other effects may be less typical or longer-lasting.
Speak with Your Physician Regarding Intense Unwanted Effects
Antidepressant side effects may differ in seriousness, which could justify a modification in your medication.
"An modification in antidepressant may be appropriate if the person experiences continuing or unacceptable adverse reactions that fail to enhance with time or supportive care," one specialist stated.
"Furthermore, if there is an emergence of new medical issues that may be worsened by the existing treatment, such as high blood pressure, arrhythmia, or substantial weight gain."
You may also think about speaking with your healthcare provider concerning any deficiency of significant improvement in low mood or anxiety indicators subsequent to an sufficient testing period. An adequate testing period is usually 4–8 weeks' time at a treatment amount.
Patient inclination is additionally crucial. Some individuals may want to evade particular unwanted effects, like intimacy issues or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition