Depression Drug Adverse Reactions Such as Body Weight, Blood Pressure Variations Range Based on Pharmaceutical

- A extensive recent investigation found that the unwanted effects of antidepressant medications range significantly by drug.
- Certain medications led to weight loss, whereas others caused added mass.
- Cardiac rhythm and arterial pressure additionally diverged significantly across drugs.
- Individuals experiencing ongoing, serious, or troubling side effects ought to consult a healthcare professional.
Latest research has discovered that antidepressant medication adverse reactions may be more diverse than earlier believed.
This comprehensive study, released on the 21st of October, examined the impact of antidepressant medications on over 58,000 individuals within the first two months of beginning treatment.
The investigators examined 151 research projects of 30 drugs commonly prescribed to treat clinical depression. While not all individuals encounters unwanted effects, some of the most frequent recorded in the research were fluctuations in weight, BP, and metabolic markers.
There were significant differences across antidepressant medications. For example, an eight-week course of agomelatine was linked to an mean decrease in mass of around 2.4 kg (roughly 5.3 pounds), while maprotiline patients gained almost 2 kg in the same duration.
There were also, notable variations in heart function: fluvoxamine often would slow pulse rate, in contrast nortriptyline elevated it, creating a disparity of about 21 beats per minute between the two drugs. Arterial pressure differed too, with an 11 mmHg variation noted between one drug and doxepin.
Antidepressant Medication Side Effects Comprise a Broad Spectrum
Healthcare experts commented that the investigation's findings aren't recent or surprising to mental health professionals.
"It has long been understood that different antidepressant medications range in their influences on weight, BP, and further metabolic indicators," a specialist commented.
"Nevertheless, what is significant about this investigation is the comprehensive, comparison-based measurement of these disparities among a extensive spectrum of physiological parameters utilizing findings from more than 58,000 subjects," the expert noted.
The study offers strong support of the degree of side effects, several of which are more prevalent than different reactions. Common antidepressant unwanted effects may encompass:
- gastrointestinal symptoms (sickness, diarrhea, constipation)
- sexual problems (lowered desire, inability to orgasm)
- body weight fluctuations (addition or decrease, depending on the agent)
- sleep disturbances (sleeplessness or sedation)
- dry mouth, sweating, migraine
Meanwhile, rarer but medically important adverse reactions may comprise:
- increases in blood pressure or heart rate (particularly with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and some tricyclic antidepressants)
- reduced blood sodium (particularly in elderly individuals, with SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
- liver enzyme elevations
- QTc lengthening (risk of irregular heartbeat, particularly with one medication and some tricyclic antidepressants)
- diminished feelings or indifference
"An important point to consider regarding this matter is that there are various varying types of antidepressant medications, which contribute to the different negative drug effects," another expert explained.
"Moreover, antidepressant drugs can affect each patient variably, and negative effects can differ according to the exact pharmaceutical, dosage, and individual elements like metabolism or simultaneous health issues."
While several unwanted effects, including changes in rest, hunger, or stamina, are fairly frequent and commonly get better with time, others may be less frequent or longer-lasting.
Talk with Your Doctor About Severe Side Effects
Antidepressant medication adverse reactions may range in intensity, which could justify a adjustment in your medication.
"An adjustment in antidepressant medication may be warranted if the person experiences persistent or intolerable adverse reactions that fail to enhance with duration or supportive care," a expert commented.
"Furthermore, if there is an appearance of recent medical conditions that may be worsened by the current treatment, such as hypertension, arrhythmia, or substantial increased body weight."
Patients may additionally consider talking with your doctor concerning any absence of meaningful enhancement in low mood or anxiety-related indicators subsequent to an sufficient trial period. The adequate trial period is usually 4â8 weeks duration at a effective amount.
Individual preference is furthermore important. Some patients may prefer to avoid certain adverse reactions, such as sexual dysfunction or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition