Antidepressant Medication Unwanted Effects Including Body Weight, Blood Pressure Changes Range Based on Pharmaceutical

- An large new research discovered that the adverse reactions of antidepressant medications range considerably by drug.
- Some drugs resulted in reduced body weight, while different drugs caused added mass.
- Pulse rate and arterial pressure furthermore varied significantly between treatments.
- Those experiencing persistent, intense, or concerning side effects ought to discuss with a physician.
New research has found that depression drug adverse reactions may be more diverse than once assumed.
This large-scale research, published on the 21st of October, analyzed the impact of depression treatments on more than 58,000 participants within the first eight weeks of commencing therapy.
These researchers examined 151 investigations of 30 medications typically used to treat clinical depression. While not everyone experiences unwanted effects, some of the most frequent observed in the investigation were changes in weight, arterial pressure, and metabolic indicators.
There were significant differences between antidepressant drugs. As an illustration, an 60-day regimen of one medication was associated with an mean decrease in mass of around 2.4 kg (about 5.3 lbs), whereas another drug users gained almost 2 kg in the same period.
There were also, marked variations in cardiac function: fluvoxamine tended to decrease cardiac rhythm, in contrast nortriptyline elevated it, creating a disparity of about 21 beats per minute across the both treatments. Arterial pressure differed also, with an 11 millimeters of mercury difference seen among one drug and another medication.
Depression Drug Adverse Reactions Encompass a Broad Spectrum
Clinical specialists observed that the study's conclusions aren't new or startling to psychiatric specialists.
"We've long known that distinct antidepressant medications vary in their impacts on weight, BP, and other metabolic indicators," a specialist explained.
"However, what is notable about this research is the thorough, comparison-based measurement of these disparities among a extensive array of bodily measurements employing data from in excess of 58,000 subjects," this professional added.
This investigation provides comprehensive proof of the degree of unwanted effects, some of which are more prevalent than other effects. Frequent depression drug adverse reactions may include:
- stomach problems (sickness, loose stools, blockage)
- intimacy issues (lowered desire, orgasmic dysfunction)
- body weight fluctuations (gain or reduction, based on the agent)
- sleep problems (sleeplessness or sleepiness)
- oral dehydration, sweating, head pain
Meanwhile, less frequent but clinically significant adverse reactions may include:
- elevations in blood pressure or cardiac rhythm (especially with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
- low sodium (notably in senior patients, with SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
- elevated hepatic parameters
- Corrected QT interval prolongation (potential of irregular heartbeat, especially with citalopram and some tricyclics)
- diminished feelings or lack of interest
"A key factor to note in this context is that there are multiple different classes of antidepressant medications, which result in the different unwanted drug reactions," another expert stated.
"Moreover, depression treatments can influence each person variably, and unwanted effects can range according to the exact medication, dose, and patient factors including body chemistry or simultaneous health issues."
While some adverse reactions, like changes in rest, hunger, or energy levels, are reasonably typical and commonly enhance with time, different reactions may be less common or continuing.
Consult with Your Physician Regarding Severe Side Effects
Depression drug adverse reactions may differ in intensity, which could warrant a adjustment in your medication.
"An modification in antidepressant medication may be appropriate if the patient experiences persistent or unbearable adverse reactions that don't get better with time or supportive measures," one specialist commented.
"Moreover, if there is an emergence of new medical issues that may be worsened by the existing medication, for instance high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, or considerable weight gain."
Individuals may also think about consulting with your doctor concerning any absence of significant improvement in low mood or anxiety-related indicators following an adequate evaluation duration. The appropriate testing period is typically 4–8 weeks duration at a treatment dosage.
Personal inclination is also significant. Certain individuals may want to evade certain unwanted effects, such as sexual problems or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition