Antidepressant Medication Adverse Reactions Including Weight, Blood Pressure Fluctuations Differ Depending on Medication

- An comprehensive new research discovered that the unwanted effects of antidepressants vary significantly by drug.
- Certain drugs caused decreased mass, while different drugs resulted in weight gain.
- Pulse rate and arterial pressure also varied significantly across treatments.
- Patients encountering persistent, intense, or worrisome adverse reactions must consult a healthcare professional.
New studies has found that antidepressant side effects may be more diverse than earlier believed.
This comprehensive investigation, released on October 21, analyzed the impact of antidepressant drugs on in excess of 58,000 subjects within the initial eight weeks of starting therapy.
These scientists analyzed 151 investigations of 30 pharmaceuticals frequently prescribed to address major depression. Although not every patient develops unwanted effects, several of the most prevalent noted in the investigation were variations in body weight, arterial pressure, and metabolic indicators.
The study revealed significant disparities between antidepressant medications. For example, an two-month course of one medication was connected with an typical reduction in body weight of about 2.4 kilograms (roughly 5.3 lbs), whereas another drug individuals gained close to 2 kg in the identical timeframe.
There were also, significant changes in cardiac function: one antidepressant was likely to slow cardiac rhythm, in contrast nortriptyline increased it, causing a gap of around 21 BPM between the both treatments. Arterial pressure fluctuated also, with an 11 mmHg disparity seen among nortriptyline and another medication.
Antidepressant Medication Adverse Reactions Include a Wide Range
Healthcare professionals noted that the research's conclusions are not novel or startling to psychiatrists.
"We've long known that distinct depression drugs differ in their influences on weight, arterial pressure, and additional metabolic indicators," a professional stated.
"However, what is remarkable about this research is the thorough, relative assessment of these differences across a broad spectrum of physical indicators using findings from over 58,000 subjects," this expert added.
The study provides comprehensive evidence of the extent of adverse reactions, several of which are more common than different reactions. Frequent depression drug side effects may include:
- gastrointestinal symptoms (sickness, diarrhea, irregularity)
- intimacy issues (decreased libido, anorgasmia)
- body weight fluctuations (increase or reduction, depending on the agent)
- rest issues (inability to sleep or sedation)
- oral dehydration, moisture, migraine
Meanwhile, less frequent but medically important unwanted effects may include:
- elevations in arterial pressure or heart rate (particularly with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and certain tricyclics)
- reduced blood sodium (notably in elderly individuals, with SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
- elevated hepatic parameters
- Corrected QT interval lengthening (potential of abnormal heart rhythm, especially with one medication and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
- reduced emotions or apathy
"One thing to remember in this context is that there are multiple varying types of antidepressants, which contribute to the distinct adverse pharmaceutical side effects," a different specialist explained.
"Additionally, depression treatments can affect each patient variably, and negative side effects can differ depending on the specific pharmaceutical, dose, and individual factors such as metabolic rate or comorbidities."
While certain adverse reactions, like changes in rest, appetite, or vitality, are quite typical and often get better over time, other effects may be less typical or continuing.
Talk with Your Physician About Severe Side Effects
Antidepressant medication unwanted effects may range in severity, which could require a modification in your drug.
"An change in antidepressant medication may be necessary if the patient suffers ongoing or unbearable adverse reactions that do not improve with duration or supportive measures," a professional said.
"Furthermore, if there is an appearance of recently developed health problems that may be aggravated by the existing treatment, for instance hypertension, arrhythmia, or substantial weight gain."
You may also contemplate consulting with your doctor about any lack of significant enhancement in depressive or anxiety indicators subsequent to an sufficient trial period. An adequate trial period is generally 4–8 weeks' time at a therapeutic dose.
Personal inclination is furthermore important. Certain people may want to prevent particular adverse reactions, including intimacy issues or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition