Antidepressant Medication Adverse Reactions Such as Body Weight, Blood Pressure Fluctuations Vary by Drug

- A extensive latest investigation determined that the side effects of depression drugs vary considerably by drug.
- Certain pharmaceuticals resulted in weight loss, whereas other medications led to increased body weight.
- Cardiac rhythm and blood pressure furthermore differed markedly across treatments.
- Individuals experiencing ongoing, severe, or worrisome unwanted effects ought to consult a medical provider.
Latest studies has revealed that antidepressant medication adverse reactions may be more extensive than earlier believed.
This large-scale investigation, issued on the 21st of October, assessed the impact of antidepressant medications on more than 58,000 participants within the first eight weeks of commencing treatment.
These researchers analyzed 151 investigations of 30 pharmaceuticals typically prescribed to address depression. While not all individuals experiences adverse reactions, some of the most common recorded in the study were variations in body weight, arterial pressure, and metabolic indicators.
Researchers observed striking differences across antidepressant drugs. As an illustration, an eight-week course of one medication was associated with an mean reduction in body weight of approximately 2.4 kg (about 5.3 pounds), while another drug patients increased almost 2 kg in the same period.
There were also, significant fluctuations in cardiovascular activity: one antidepressant tended to reduce pulse rate, whereas nortriptyline raised it, producing a difference of around 21 beats per minute between the two medications. BP differed as well, with an 11 millimeters of mercury variation noted across nortriptyline and another medication.
Antidepressant Medication Side Effects Include a Broad Array
Healthcare specialists commented that the investigation's findings are not considered new or unexpected to psychiatrists.
"We've long known that various depression drugs range in their effects on body weight, BP, and other metabolic measures," one specialist stated.
"Nevertheless, what is notable about this research is the thorough, relative assessment of these variations among a extensive spectrum of physical indicators utilizing information from in excess of 58,000 individuals," the specialist commented.
This research offers strong proof of the extent of unwanted effects, some of which are more frequent than different reactions. Common depression drug side effects may encompass:
- digestive issues (nausea, bowel issues, blockage)
- intimacy issues (lowered desire, orgasmic dysfunction)
- weight changes (increase or loss, according to the drug)
- rest issues (insomnia or sleepiness)
- mouth dryness, moisture, migraine
Meanwhile, rarer but medically important adverse reactions may encompass:
- increases in arterial pressure or heart rate (particularly with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and certain tricyclics)
- hyponatremia (particularly in older adults, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
- liver enzyme elevations
- QTc lengthening (chance of arrhythmia, particularly with citalopram and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
- reduced emotions or indifference
"A key factor to consider here is that there are several different types of depression drugs, which lead to the varying adverse medication reactions," a different expert stated.
"Moreover, depression treatments can affect each person variably, and negative side effects can differ depending on the particular drug, dose, and personal elements such as body chemistry or comorbidities."
Although some adverse reactions, such as fluctuations in rest, hunger, or stamina, are reasonably typical and commonly get better as time passes, other effects may be less frequent or more persistent.
Consult with Your Physician About Serious Adverse Reactions
Antidepressant unwanted effects may vary in intensity, which could require a change in your drug.
"An modification in antidepressant medication may be appropriate if the patient encounters persistent or intolerable side effects that don't get better with passing days or supportive measures," one specialist stated.
"Additionally, if there is an development of new medical conditions that may be aggravated by the present treatment, for instance high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythm, or substantial weight gain."
Individuals may also think about consulting with your physician concerning any deficiency of significant improvement in depressive or anxiety indicators subsequent to an adequate trial period. An adequate trial period is usually 4–8 weeks at a therapeutic dosage.
Patient inclination is furthermore crucial. Some patients may want to evade certain unwanted effects, including intimacy issues or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition