Depression Drug Adverse Reactions Such as Weight, Blood Pressure Changes Vary Based on Pharmaceutical

- An extensive latest investigation determined that the unwanted effects of depression drugs range significantly by drug.
- Certain medications resulted in reduced body weight, whereas other medications resulted in increased body weight.
- Pulse rate and blood pressure also differed markedly across drugs.
- Those encountering ongoing, intense, or troubling adverse reactions should discuss with a medical provider.
Latest studies has found that antidepressant medication unwanted effects may be more diverse than earlier believed.
This extensive investigation, issued on October 21st, examined the impact of antidepressant drugs on more than 58,000 subjects within the initial eight weeks of beginning therapy.
The scientists analyzed 151 investigations of 30 medications commonly employed to manage depression. While not everyone experiences side effects, some of the most prevalent observed in the research were variations in weight, BP, and metabolic parameters.
Researchers observed notable variations between antidepressant drugs. For instance, an two-month course of one medication was associated with an average decrease in mass of approximately 2.4 kilos (about 5.3 lbs), while maprotiline individuals gained close to 2 kg in the same period.
There were also, notable fluctuations in cardiovascular activity: fluvoxamine often would slow heart rate, whereas another medication elevated it, causing a difference of about 21 heartbeats per minute between the two drugs. Blood pressure differed too, with an 11 millimeters of mercury difference observed among nortriptyline and doxepin.
Depression Drug Side Effects Encompass a Broad Spectrum
Clinical professionals noted that the study's conclusions aren't novel or surprising to mental health professionals.
"It has long been understood that distinct antidepressant medications differ in their influences on weight, blood pressure, and additional metabolic measures," one specialist commented.
"However, what is remarkable about this study is the thorough, relative measurement of these disparities among a extensive range of bodily measurements employing data from in excess of 58,000 individuals," this expert commented.
This research offers comprehensive proof of the magnitude of unwanted effects, certain of which are more prevalent than different reactions. Typical antidepressant medication side effects may encompass:
- stomach problems (nausea, diarrhea, constipation)
- sexual dysfunction (lowered desire, inability to orgasm)
- weight changes (increase or decrease, depending on the agent)
- sleep problems (sleeplessness or drowsiness)
- dry mouth, perspiration, head pain
Meanwhile, rarer but therapeutically relevant side effects may comprise:
- elevations in blood pressure or cardiac rhythm (particularly with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
- reduced blood sodium (particularly in older adults, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and SNRIs)
- increased liver enzymes
- Corrected QT interval extension (chance of arrhythmia, especially with citalopram and some tricyclic antidepressants)
- emotional blunting or indifference
"A key factor to note here is that there are multiple different categories of antidepressants, which result in the different negative medication effects," a different specialist stated.
"Additionally, antidepressant drugs can influence each person differently, and unwanted side effects can differ depending on the particular medication, amount, and personal elements such as body chemistry or comorbidities."
Although several side effects, such as fluctuations in rest, hunger, or vitality, are reasonably frequent and frequently improve over time, different reactions may be less typical or continuing.
Consult with Your Physician About Intense Unwanted Effects
Antidepressant medication adverse reactions may vary in intensity, which could justify a change in your treatment.
"An change in antidepressant medication may be necessary if the person suffers persistent or intolerable adverse reactions that don't get better with duration or supportive measures," one specialist stated.
"Moreover, if there is an appearance of recent medical issues that may be worsened by the existing treatment, for instance hypertension, arrhythmia, or substantial increased body weight."
Individuals may furthermore consider speaking with your physician regarding any lack of meaningful enhancement in depressive or anxiety indicators after an sufficient testing period. An sufficient trial period is usually 4–8 weeks at a therapeutic dose.
Patient choice is furthermore significant. Some individuals may prefer to evade specific side effects, like intimacy issues or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition