Antidepressant Side Effects Including Body Weight, Blood Pressure Fluctuations Range by Drug
- A comprehensive recent investigation found that the adverse reactions of depression drugs vary considerably by drug.
- Some medications led to decreased mass, whereas other medications resulted in added mass.
- Pulse rate and arterial pressure also differed significantly between treatments.
- Individuals encountering persistent, severe, or concerning unwanted effects must speak with a physician.
Latest investigations has revealed that antidepressant side effects may be more diverse than once assumed.
This large-scale investigation, published on October 21st, examined the impact of depression treatments on in excess of 58,000 individuals within the initial two months of commencing treatment.
The investigators studied 151 studies of 30 pharmaceuticals commonly employed to manage major depression. While not every patient develops unwanted effects, some of the most common observed in the study were changes in body weight, blood pressure, and metabolic indicators.
There were notable differences among depression treatments. For instance, an two-month course of one medication was linked to an average decrease in mass of about 2.4 kilos (roughly 5.3 lbs), whereas another drug individuals increased close to 2 kg in the identical timeframe.
Furthermore, notable fluctuations in heart function: one antidepressant often would slow heart rate, in contrast nortriptyline increased it, producing a difference of around 21 BPM among the two drugs. BP fluctuated too, with an 11 mmHg variation seen among nortriptyline and doxepin.
Depression Drug Unwanted Effects Encompass a Wide Array
Clinical experts observed that the study's conclusions aren't novel or surprising to psychiatric specialists.
"We've long known that various antidepressant medications differ in their influences on body weight, BP, and other metabolic parameters," one specialist explained.
"Nevertheless, what is remarkable about this research is the rigorous, comparison-based quantification of these variations across a wide array of physiological parameters utilizing information from over 58,000 participants," the specialist added.
The research offers comprehensive proof of the degree of side effects, some of which are more common than other effects. Frequent antidepressant unwanted effects may encompass:
- digestive issues (nausea, bowel issues, blockage)
- sexual dysfunction (decreased libido, anorgasmia)
- mass variations (addition or reduction, according to the drug)
- rest issues (sleeplessness or drowsiness)
- mouth dryness, sweating, headache
At the same time, less common but clinically significant adverse reactions may encompass:
- increases in arterial pressure or cardiac rhythm (especially with SNRIs and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
- reduced blood sodium (particularly in older adults, with SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
- liver enzyme elevations
- Corrected QT interval extension (chance of abnormal heart rhythm, especially with citalopram and some tricyclic antidepressants)
- reduced emotions or apathy
"A key factor to remember here is that there are various varying categories of depression drugs, which contribute to the different unwanted pharmaceutical side effects," another specialist commented.
"Furthermore, antidepressant medications can affect each person variably, and unwanted reactions can range according to the exact drug, dose, and patient elements like body chemistry or comorbidities."
While several side effects, like changes in rest, hunger, or stamina, are reasonably typical and frequently improve as time passes, others may be less typical or longer-lasting.
Speak with Your Healthcare Provider Regarding Severe Unwanted Effects
Antidepressant side effects may vary in intensity, which could warrant a modification in your treatment.
"A change in antidepressant may be appropriate if the person experiences ongoing or unbearable unwanted effects that don't get better with passing days or supportive measures," one expert commented.
"Moreover, if there is an development of recently developed medical issues that may be exacerbated by the present drug, for example hypertension, irregular heartbeat, or substantial weight gain."
Individuals may furthermore consider speaking with your physician about any deficiency of significant improvement in depressive or worry indicators after an adequate evaluation duration. An sufficient testing period is usually 4–8 weeks duration at a therapeutic dose.
Personal inclination is also crucial. Certain people may prefer to evade certain unwanted effects, such as intimacy issues or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition
