Depression Drug Side Effects Including Body Weight, Blood Pressure Changes Range Based on Pharmaceutical

- A large latest study found that the unwanted effects of depression drugs differ considerably by drug.
- Some pharmaceuticals caused weight loss, while others resulted in weight gain.
- Cardiac rhythm and BP furthermore varied significantly between treatments.
- Patients suffering from ongoing, severe, or concerning unwanted effects should speak with a physician.
Recent investigations has revealed that depression drug adverse reactions may be more extensive than previously thought.
The extensive study, published on the 21st of October, analyzed the influence of antidepressant drugs on more than 58,000 individuals within the beginning eight weeks of commencing therapy.
These investigators analyzed 151 investigations of 30 medications commonly used to manage clinical depression. While not all individuals encounters adverse reactions, some of the most frequent noted in the study were variations in body weight, BP, and metabolic markers.
The study revealed notable variations across antidepressant medications. For example, an two-month treatment period of one medication was connected with an average weight loss of about 2.4 kilograms (approximately 5.3 lbs), whereas another drug individuals added almost 2 kg in the same period.
Furthermore, notable changes in heart function: fluvoxamine tended to decrease cardiac rhythm, in contrast nortriptyline raised it, creating a disparity of approximately 21 heartbeats per minute across the both treatments. BP varied too, with an 11 millimeters of mercury difference noted among nortriptyline and another medication.
Depression Drug Side Effects Include a Extensive Range
Clinical experts noted that the research's conclusions aren't recent or startling to psychiatric specialists.
"It has long been understood that distinct depression drugs range in their effects on body weight, arterial pressure, and further metabolic parameters," one specialist explained.
"Nonetheless, what is remarkable about this study is the thorough, relative quantification of these variations throughout a extensive range of bodily measurements using findings from in excess of 58,000 individuals," the professional commented.
The research provides strong support of the degree of unwanted effects, several of which are more common than different reactions. Frequent antidepressant medication adverse reactions may comprise:
- stomach problems (nausea, loose stools, constipation)
- sexual dysfunction (reduced sex drive, orgasmic dysfunction)
- mass variations (gain or decrease, according to the drug)
- sleep disturbances (sleeplessness or drowsiness)
- dry mouth, perspiration, migraine
Meanwhile, less common but clinically significant adverse reactions may include:
- elevations in blood pressure or cardiac rhythm (particularly with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and some tricyclic antidepressants)
- hyponatremia (notably in elderly individuals, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and SNRIs)
- increased liver enzymes
- QTc extension (potential of arrhythmia, particularly with citalopram and some tricyclics)
- reduced emotions or lack of interest
"A key factor to remember regarding this matter is that there are multiple distinct categories of antidepressants, which contribute to the varying adverse drug side effects," another professional commented.
"Additionally, depression treatments can impact every individual distinctly, and negative effects can vary according to the specific pharmaceutical, dose, and personal factors like metabolism or co-occurring conditions."
Although certain unwanted effects, including changes in rest, appetite, or energy levels, are quite typical and often get better as time passes, different reactions may be less typical or continuing.
Talk with Your Physician Regarding Severe Side Effects
Antidepressant medication unwanted effects may range in severity, which could warrant a change in your treatment.
"An adjustment in antidepressant medication may be warranted if the patient experiences ongoing or intolerable side effects that don't get better with duration or supportive measures," one professional stated.
"Furthermore, if there is an development of recently developed medical conditions that may be aggravated by the current drug, such as elevated BP, irregular heartbeat, or significant increased body weight."
Individuals may furthermore contemplate talking with your physician regarding any lack of meaningful progress in low mood or anxiety symptoms subsequent to an appropriate evaluation duration. An appropriate testing period is generally 4–8 weeks duration at a treatment amount.
Patient preference is furthermore significant. Certain patients may prefer to evade certain unwanted effects, like intimacy issues or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition