Antidepressant Medication Unwanted Effects Including Body Weight, BP Fluctuations Range Based on Pharmaceutical

- A comprehensive recent investigation determined that the adverse reactions of depression drugs vary considerably by drug.
- Certain pharmaceuticals resulted in decreased mass, whereas other medications resulted in added mass.
- Pulse rate and arterial pressure additionally differed notably among medications.
- Individuals encountering continuing, severe, or concerning adverse reactions must speak with a healthcare professional.
Recent studies has found that antidepressant side effects may be more extensive than previously thought.
The comprehensive research, issued on October 21st, assessed the impact of antidepressant medications on more than 58,000 individuals within the first 60 days of commencing treatment.
The scientists examined 151 studies of 30 pharmaceuticals typically used to manage major depression. While not everyone encounters adverse reactions, several of the most prevalent recorded in the study were changes in body weight, blood pressure, and metabolic indicators.
Researchers observed significant differences between depression treatments. For example, an two-month regimen of one medication was linked to an mean reduction in body weight of around 2.4 kilos (about 5.3 lbs), whereas another drug patients increased close to 2 kg in the same timeframe.
Additionally, marked changes in cardiovascular activity: one antidepressant often would reduce pulse rate, whereas nortriptyline raised it, causing a disparity of around 21 BPM across the two medications. Blood pressure fluctuated too, with an 11 mmHg difference observed between nortriptyline and another medication.
Antidepressant Side Effects Encompass a Extensive Range
Healthcare professionals noted that the research's conclusions aren't recent or surprising to psychiatrists.
"It has long been understood that distinct antidepressants differ in their influences on weight, BP, and additional metabolic indicators," one expert stated.
"Nevertheless, what is significant about this research is the thorough, relative quantification of these differences among a broad array of physical indicators utilizing information from in excess of 58,000 individuals," the professional commented.
This study provides strong evidence of the extent of adverse reactions, certain of which are more frequent than different reactions. Frequent depression drug side effects may include:
- stomach problems (sickness, bowel issues, constipation)
- sexual dysfunction (reduced sex drive, orgasmic dysfunction)
- body weight fluctuations (increase or reduction, according to the medication)
- sleep disturbances (inability to sleep or sleepiness)
- mouth dryness, perspiration, head pain
At the same time, rarer but clinically significant side effects may encompass:
- increases in BP or cardiac rhythm (particularly with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
- hyponatremia (notably in senior patients, with SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
- increased liver enzymes
- Corrected QT interval extension (risk of arrhythmia, especially with one medication and some tricyclic antidepressants)
- emotional blunting or indifference
"An important point to note regarding this matter is that there are various different types of depression drugs, which lead to the distinct unwanted pharmaceutical effects," another professional explained.
"Moreover, antidepressant drugs can affect every individual distinctly, and adverse side effects can range depending on the specific pharmaceutical, dose, and personal considerations such as metabolic rate or comorbidities."
While several unwanted effects, including changes in sleep, hunger, or energy levels, are reasonably common and often enhance with time, others may be less typical or more persistent.
Speak with Your Healthcare Provider About Serious Adverse Reactions
Antidepressant side effects may range in seriousness, which could require a adjustment in your treatment.
"An adjustment in antidepressant may be appropriate if the individual encounters persistent or unbearable adverse reactions that fail to enhance with time or supportive measures," a specialist stated.
"Additionally, if there is an development of recent health problems that may be exacerbated by the current treatment, for instance elevated BP, abnormal heart rhythm, or substantial mass addition."
Patients may furthermore consider speaking with your physician regarding any deficiency of substantial progress in depressive or anxiety symptoms subsequent to an adequate evaluation duration. An adequate testing period is typically 4–8 weeks duration at a effective dose.
Individual preference is furthermore crucial. Certain people may prefer to evade particular adverse reactions, including intimacy issues or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition