Depression Drug Unwanted Effects Including Weight, BP Changes Differ Depending on Medication
- An extensive latest research determined that the side effects of antidepressant medications range substantially by drug.
- Certain drugs resulted in weight loss, whereas other medications led to weight gain.
- Pulse rate and arterial pressure furthermore differed markedly across medications.
- Those suffering from ongoing, serious, or concerning side effects ought to consult a physician.
Recent studies has found that antidepressant medication adverse reactions may be more extensive than earlier believed.
The large-scale research, published on October 21st, examined the effect of depression treatments on in excess of 58,000 subjects within the initial two months of commencing therapy.
These researchers analyzed 151 studies of 30 medications commonly prescribed to treat depression. Although not all individuals develops unwanted effects, some of the most prevalent recorded in the investigation were variations in body weight, arterial pressure, and metabolic parameters.
The study revealed significant disparities between antidepressant drugs. As an illustration, an two-month treatment period of one medication was associated with an typical decrease in mass of about 2.4 kg (approximately 5.3 pounds), whereas another drug patients added close to 2 kg in the identical period.
Furthermore, marked fluctuations in cardiac function: fluvoxamine tended to reduce pulse rate, whereas another medication raised it, causing a difference of about 21 heartbeats per minute among the two drugs. Arterial pressure varied as well, with an 11 millimeters of mercury disparity observed across one drug and another medication.
Antidepressant Medication Side Effects Encompass a Broad Array
Healthcare professionals commented that the study's findings are not recent or startling to psychiatric specialists.
"Clinicians have long recognized that distinct antidepressants vary in their influences on body weight, blood pressure, and other metabolic indicators," one specialist stated.
"Nevertheless, what is remarkable about this research is the rigorous, comparison-based quantification of these variations among a broad spectrum of physiological parameters utilizing data from more than 58,000 participants," the specialist added.
The investigation provides robust proof of the magnitude of adverse reactions, some of which are more prevalent than others. Common antidepressant side effects may comprise:
- gastrointestinal symptoms (sickness, bowel issues, irregularity)
- sexual problems (lowered desire, inability to orgasm)
- mass variations (increase or decrease, based on the agent)
- rest issues (insomnia or sedation)
- dry mouth, perspiration, headache
Additionally, rarer but clinically significant side effects may encompass:
- increases in blood pressure or pulse rate (notably with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and some tricyclics)
- reduced blood sodium (notably in senior patients, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
- liver enzyme elevations
- Corrected QT interval extension (potential of arrhythmia, notably with one medication and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
- diminished feelings or apathy
"One thing to consider here is that there are several distinct categories of antidepressant medications, which lead to the varying unwanted drug effects," a different expert commented.
"Furthermore, antidepressant medications can affect each person differently, and unwanted reactions can differ based on the particular pharmaceutical, dose, and patient factors including metabolism or co-occurring conditions."
Although some unwanted effects, like fluctuations in sleep, appetite, or energy levels, are quite common and commonly enhance as time passes, others may be less common or longer-lasting.
Talk with Your Doctor About Serious Unwanted Effects
Antidepressant adverse reactions may range in seriousness, which could warrant a change in your treatment.
"An adjustment in depression drug may be warranted if the person suffers persistent or intolerable adverse reactions that fail to enhance with time or supportive measures," one specialist commented.
"Additionally, if there is an development of recent health problems that may be exacerbated by the present medication, for instance hypertension, arrhythmia, or considerable mass addition."
Individuals may additionally contemplate talking with your doctor concerning any lack of substantial enhancement in depressive or worry symptoms following an adequate testing period. An appropriate evaluation duration is typically 4–8 weeks' time at a therapeutic amount.
Personal choice is also important. Certain people may want to avoid certain adverse reactions, including intimacy issues or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition
