Antidepressant Medication Side Effects Such as Body Weight, BP Fluctuations Range Based on Pharmaceutical

- An extensive recent research found that the unwanted effects of depression drugs vary substantially by drug.
- Some medications caused reduced body weight, while others resulted in increased body weight.
- Heart rate and arterial pressure also varied markedly between treatments.
- Patients encountering ongoing, severe, or troubling unwanted effects must speak with a medical provider.
Latest investigations has discovered that depression drug side effects may be more varied than previously thought.
This comprehensive study, published on October 21, examined the effect of antidepressant medications on in excess of 58,000 subjects within the beginning two months of starting medication.
These investigators studied 151 investigations of 30 medications typically employed to address major depression. While not every patient experiences adverse reactions, some of the most common noted in the investigation were fluctuations in body weight, BP, and metabolic parameters.
Researchers observed notable differences among antidepressant medications. For instance, an eight-week course of agomelatine was linked to an mean decrease in mass of around 2.4 kilograms (approximately 5.3 lbs), whereas another drug users gained close to 2 kg in the identical duration.
There were also, marked fluctuations in cardiovascular activity: one antidepressant tended to decrease cardiac rhythm, while another medication elevated it, producing a gap of about 21 BPM across the two drugs. BP varied also, with an 11 mmHg difference seen across one drug and another medication.
Antidepressant Medication Adverse Reactions Encompass a Extensive Spectrum
Healthcare specialists noted that the investigation's results are not considered novel or unexpected to mental health professionals.
"We've long known that various antidepressant medications range in their influences on body weight, blood pressure, and additional metabolic measures," one expert explained.
"Nonetheless, what is remarkable about this investigation is the thorough, comparison-based measurement of these disparities among a extensive spectrum of bodily measurements using findings from over 58,000 subjects," this expert added.
The investigation provides robust support of the degree of unwanted effects, some of which are more frequent than different reactions. Typical depression drug unwanted effects may comprise:
- gastrointestinal symptoms (sickness, loose stools, irregularity)
- sexual problems (lowered desire, inability to orgasm)
- mass variations (addition or decrease, depending on the drug)
- sleep problems (inability to sleep or sedation)
- dry mouth, perspiration, head pain
Additionally, rarer but medically important unwanted effects may include:
- increases in blood pressure or pulse rate (especially with SNRIs and some tricyclic antidepressants)
- reduced blood sodium (notably in older adults, with SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
- elevated hepatic parameters
- Corrected QT interval lengthening (chance of irregular heartbeat, especially with citalopram and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
- diminished feelings or lack of interest
"A key factor to note in this context is that there are various varying classes of antidepressant medications, which contribute to the distinct unwanted drug reactions," a different expert commented.
"Moreover, antidepressant medications can impact every individual distinctly, and negative effects can vary depending on the particular drug, amount, and patient factors such as body chemistry or simultaneous health issues."
While some unwanted effects, including fluctuations in rest, hunger, or stamina, are fairly frequent and often get better as time passes, different reactions may be less typical or more persistent.
Consult with Your Physician About Intense Adverse Reactions
Antidepressant unwanted effects may differ in severity, which could justify a adjustment in your drug.
"An change in antidepressant may be appropriate if the individual experiences ongoing or unbearable unwanted effects that don't get better with passing days or management strategies," one professional commented.
"Furthermore, if there is an appearance of recent medical conditions that may be worsened by the existing drug, for instance elevated BP, arrhythmia, or substantial mass addition."
You may furthermore consider speaking with your physician regarding any absence of meaningful enhancement in depressive or anxiety symptoms following an appropriate testing period. An appropriate evaluation duration is typically 4–8 weeks' time at a treatment amount.
Patient preference is furthermore important. Some patients may want to avoid particular unwanted effects, like sexual dysfunction or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition