Depression Drug Unwanted Effects Like Body Weight, BP Variations Vary Based on Pharmaceutical

- An large new study discovered that the unwanted effects of depression drugs range significantly by drug.
- Some pharmaceuticals resulted in reduced body weight, while other medications resulted in increased body weight.
- Pulse rate and blood pressure furthermore diverged markedly between treatments.
- Those suffering from ongoing, serious, or worrisome adverse reactions ought to consult a medical provider.
Latest studies has found that antidepressant side effects may be more extensive than previously thought.
The comprehensive study, published on October 21, assessed the effect of antidepressant medications on in excess of 58,000 subjects within the first 60 days of starting treatment.
The researchers examined 151 research projects of 30 drugs typically employed to address major depression. Although not all individuals experiences adverse reactions, certain of the most frequent observed in the investigation were fluctuations in body weight, arterial pressure, and metabolic parameters.
Researchers observed striking variations among antidepressant drugs. For instance, an two-month regimen of one medication was linked to an typical weight loss of about 2.4 kg (roughly 5.3 lbs), whereas maprotiline individuals added almost 2 kg in the equivalent period.
Furthermore, marked fluctuations in heart function: fluvoxamine was likely to reduce heart rate, whereas nortriptyline increased it, producing a disparity of approximately 21 BPM among the two medications. Arterial pressure varied as well, with an 11 millimeters of mercury disparity seen between nortriptyline and another medication.
Depression Drug Adverse Reactions Include a Wide Range
Clinical experts observed that the investigation's findings are not considered new or startling to psychiatric specialists.
"We've long known that distinct depression drugs differ in their influences on weight, arterial pressure, and additional metabolic indicators," one specialist stated.
"Nevertheless, what is notable about this research is the comprehensive, relative quantification of these differences throughout a extensive array of bodily measurements utilizing information from over 58,000 individuals," the professional added.
The research offers strong support of the magnitude of side effects, some of which are more frequent than different reactions. Frequent antidepressant medication side effects may encompass:
- stomach problems (nausea, loose stools, irregularity)
- sexual dysfunction (decreased libido, anorgasmia)
- weight changes (gain or loss, depending on the agent)
- sleep problems (insomnia or drowsiness)
- oral dehydration, sweating, headache
Meanwhile, less common but medically important unwanted effects may comprise:
- elevations in blood pressure or heart rate (especially with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and some tricyclics)
- reduced blood sodium (especially in senior patients, with SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
- increased liver enzymes
- Corrected QT interval prolongation (risk of irregular heartbeat, especially with one medication and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
- reduced emotions or lack of interest
"One thing to consider regarding this matter is that there are multiple different classes of antidepressant medications, which lead to the different negative drug effects," another specialist commented.
"Additionally, antidepressant drugs can impact every individual differently, and negative reactions can range depending on the specific pharmaceutical, dose, and individual elements like metabolic rate or comorbidities."
While certain adverse reactions, including fluctuations in sleep, appetite, or stamina, are fairly frequent and often improve as time passes, different reactions may be less common or more persistent.
Talk with Your Healthcare Provider Regarding Serious Unwanted Effects
Antidepressant medication adverse reactions may differ in intensity, which could require a modification in your drug.
"A change in antidepressant may be necessary if the patient encounters persistent or unacceptable unwanted effects that don't get better with duration or management strategies," a expert stated.
"Furthermore, if there is an appearance of new health problems that may be exacerbated by the present treatment, such as elevated BP, arrhythmia, or considerable weight gain."
You may furthermore think about consulting with your doctor regarding any deficiency of significant progress in depression-related or anxiety indicators subsequent to an adequate testing period. The sufficient testing period is typically 4–8 weeks' time at a effective dosage.
Personal inclination is also significant. Some individuals may choose to prevent particular side effects, including intimacy issues or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition