Antidepressant Medication Adverse Reactions Including Weight, Blood Pressure Variations Range by Drug

- An extensive new research determined that the adverse reactions of antidepressants range significantly by drug.
- Certain drugs led to decreased mass, whereas others caused added mass.
- Cardiac rhythm and blood pressure furthermore diverged notably among medications.
- Those suffering from ongoing, serious, or worrisome adverse reactions must consult a healthcare professional.
Latest studies has found that antidepressant medication adverse reactions may be more diverse than earlier believed.
This extensive investigation, published on October 21, examined the influence of depression treatments on in excess of 58,000 participants within the first two months of starting therapy.
The scientists studied 151 investigations of 30 pharmaceuticals typically employed to treat major depression. Although not everyone experiences unwanted effects, certain of the most prevalent noted in the investigation were variations in weight, arterial pressure, and metabolic parameters.
There were significant differences among antidepressant drugs. For instance, an eight-week treatment period of one medication was connected with an typical decrease in mass of around 2.4 kilos (roughly 5.3 lbs), whereas maprotiline patients increased nearly 2 kg in the identical period.
Additionally, significant variations in heart function: fluvoxamine often would decrease cardiac rhythm, in contrast another medication increased it, causing a difference of about 21 heartbeats per minute among the two medications. Arterial pressure differed as well, with an 11 millimeters of mercury disparity seen among nortriptyline and another medication.
Depression Drug Unwanted Effects Comprise a Wide Array
Medical experts noted that the investigation's conclusions aren't recent or unexpected to mental health professionals.
"Clinicians have long recognized that distinct depression drugs vary in their influences on weight, blood pressure, and further metabolic indicators," a expert commented.
"However, what is remarkable about this study is the thorough, relative measurement of these disparities throughout a extensive array of physical indicators utilizing findings from over 58,000 individuals," this professional added.
The investigation provides robust support of the extent of side effects, some of which are more frequent than other effects. Common antidepressant medication adverse reactions may include:
- digestive issues (queasiness, bowel issues, irregularity)
- sexual problems (decreased libido, orgasmic dysfunction)
- mass variations (gain or loss, based on the medication)
- rest issues (inability to sleep or sedation)
- oral dehydration, moisture, headache
Meanwhile, less common but medically important side effects may comprise:
- elevations in arterial pressure or heart rate (especially with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and some tricyclic antidepressants)
- low sodium (particularly in senior patients, with SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
- increased liver enzymes
- Corrected QT interval extension (risk of irregular heartbeat, especially with citalopram and certain tricyclics)
- reduced emotions or apathy
"A key factor to consider here is that there are multiple varying types of depression drugs, which contribute to the distinct unwanted drug reactions," another expert commented.
"Furthermore, antidepressant medications can affect each patient differently, and negative reactions can differ based on the specific pharmaceutical, dose, and personal elements such as metabolism or comorbidities."
While certain adverse reactions, like fluctuations in sleep, hunger, or energy levels, are reasonably common and commonly improve with time, different reactions may be less typical or more persistent.
Talk with Your Doctor About Intense Unwanted Effects
Antidepressant medication unwanted effects may range in seriousness, which could justify a adjustment in your drug.
"An adjustment in antidepressant medication may be appropriate if the person suffers ongoing or intolerable unwanted effects that fail to enhance with duration or management strategies," one specialist stated.
"Additionally, if there is an emergence of new medical issues that may be worsened by the present treatment, for instance elevated BP, abnormal heart rhythm, or substantial increased body weight."
Patients may additionally contemplate speaking with your healthcare provider concerning any absence of significant enhancement in depression-related or anxiety signs after an adequate testing period. An appropriate evaluation duration is typically 4–8 weeks' time at a treatment amount.
Personal inclination is also crucial. Certain patients may choose to avoid specific unwanted effects, including sexual dysfunction or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition