Antidepressant Medication Side Effects Including Weight, BP Changes Vary Depending on Medication
- An comprehensive latest study discovered that the unwanted effects of antidepressant medications vary considerably by drug.
- Some drugs led to reduced body weight, whereas others resulted in added mass.
- Heart rate and BP furthermore varied notably among drugs.
- Those suffering from persistent, intense, or troubling unwanted effects ought to discuss with a physician.
Recent research has discovered that antidepressant unwanted effects may be more diverse than once assumed.
This comprehensive investigation, published on the 21st of October, examined the impact of antidepressant drugs on over 58,000 participants within the initial 60 days of beginning medication.
These researchers examined 151 research projects of 30 pharmaceuticals commonly used to manage depression. While not everyone experiences side effects, certain of the most prevalent recorded in the study were changes in body weight, arterial pressure, and metabolic markers.
There were striking variations among antidepressant drugs. For instance, an two-month course of agomelatine was connected with an mean weight loss of around 2.4 kilograms (roughly 5.3 pounds), while another drug individuals gained nearly 2 kg in the identical period.
Furthermore, significant fluctuations in cardiovascular activity: one antidepressant often would slow heart rate, whereas nortriptyline increased it, causing a gap of approximately 21 beats per minute among the two medications. Arterial pressure fluctuated too, with an 11 millimeters of mercury difference observed between one drug and doxepin.
Depression Drug Side Effects Encompass a Wide Array
Healthcare professionals observed that the investigation's conclusions are not considered recent or startling to mental health professionals.
"It has long been understood that various depression drugs range in their influences on body weight, arterial pressure, and other metabolic measures," one specialist stated.
"Nevertheless, what is remarkable about this study is the comprehensive, relative measurement of these variations among a extensive spectrum of bodily measurements utilizing data from more than 58,000 subjects," this professional noted.
The research delivers robust evidence of the magnitude of unwanted effects, certain of which are more prevalent than others. Common depression drug side effects may include:
- stomach problems (nausea, bowel issues, constipation)
- sexual dysfunction (reduced sex drive, inability to orgasm)
- weight changes (gain or reduction, according to the agent)
- rest issues (inability to sleep or sleepiness)
- mouth dryness, sweating, head pain
At the same time, rarer but therapeutically relevant unwanted effects may comprise:
- elevations in BP or cardiac rhythm (particularly with SNRIs and certain tricyclics)
- hyponatremia (particularly in elderly individuals, with SSRIs and SNRIs)
- liver enzyme elevations
- Corrected QT interval lengthening (risk of irregular heartbeat, particularly with one medication and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
- emotional blunting or apathy
"A key factor to remember in this context is that there are multiple distinct classes of antidepressants, which result in the varying adverse pharmaceutical side effects," a different professional stated.
"Additionally, antidepressant medications can impact each patient distinctly, and adverse side effects can vary depending on the particular pharmaceutical, dose, and individual factors such as body chemistry or simultaneous health issues."
Although some unwanted effects, like variations in sleep, hunger, or stamina, are reasonably typical and often get better as time passes, different reactions may be less frequent or longer-lasting.
Talk with Your Physician Regarding Intense Side Effects
Antidepressant side effects may differ in severity, which could warrant a modification in your drug.
"A change in depression drug may be appropriate if the individual experiences ongoing or unbearable adverse reactions that do not improve with time or supportive measures," a professional commented.
"Additionally, if there is an emergence of recently developed medical conditions that may be worsened by the current treatment, for example hypertension, irregular heartbeat, or substantial increased body weight."
Patients may also think about speaking with your physician concerning any lack of substantial progress in low mood or anxiety indicators after an sufficient trial period. An appropriate trial period is typically 4–8 weeks' time at a treatment amount.
Patient preference is additionally significant. Some individuals may want to prevent particular unwanted effects, such as sexual problems or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition
