Antidepressant Medication Unwanted Effects Like Weight, BP Fluctuations Range by Drug
- An extensive latest research determined that the adverse reactions of antidepressants vary significantly by drug.
- Some drugs caused decreased mass, whereas others led to added mass.
- Cardiac rhythm and arterial pressure additionally differed notably across medications.
- Patients encountering ongoing, intense, or worrisome side effects should speak with a healthcare professional.
Latest research has revealed that antidepressant unwanted effects may be more extensive than earlier believed.
The large-scale research, published on the 21st of October, analyzed the influence of antidepressant drugs on more than 58,000 participants within the first two months of starting therapy.
The scientists analyzed 151 investigations of 30 medications commonly prescribed to address clinical depression. Although not every patient develops unwanted effects, some of the most common observed in the study were variations in body weight, blood pressure, and metabolic parameters.
Researchers observed striking disparities between antidepressant drugs. As an illustration, an 60-day regimen of one medication was linked to an mean reduction in body weight of around 2.4 kilograms (approximately 5.3 pounds), whereas another drug patients added close to 2 kg in the identical period.
Additionally, significant fluctuations in heart function: fluvoxamine tended to slow heart rate, whereas another medication raised it, causing a difference of around 21 BPM across the two drugs. Arterial pressure fluctuated as well, with an 11 millimeters of mercury variation noted between one drug and another medication.
Depression Drug Side Effects Comprise a Broad Spectrum
Clinical experts noted that the research's results are not recent or surprising to mental health professionals.
"Clinicians have long recognized that different depression drugs vary in their influences on weight, blood pressure, and other metabolic measures," a professional commented.
"Nonetheless, what is significant about this research is the comprehensive, comparison-based measurement of these variations among a extensive spectrum of physical indicators utilizing data from in excess of 58,000 subjects," the expert noted.
The research offers robust evidence of the extent of unwanted effects, certain of which are more common than others. Frequent antidepressant unwanted effects may encompass:
- gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, diarrhea, constipation)
- intimacy issues (decreased libido, orgasmic dysfunction)
- weight changes (gain or loss, based on the drug)
- rest issues (sleeplessness or sleepiness)
- dry mouth, sweating, head pain
Meanwhile, less frequent but medically important side effects may encompass:
- rises in arterial pressure or heart rate (notably with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and certain tricyclics)
- reduced blood sodium (especially in elderly individuals, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
- elevated hepatic parameters
- Corrected QT interval extension (risk of abnormal heart rhythm, especially with one medication and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
- diminished feelings or indifference
"A key factor to note here is that there are several varying categories of depression drugs, which result in the different adverse medication effects," another specialist explained.
"Furthermore, antidepressant medications can impact each person differently, and negative side effects can vary based on the exact medication, dose, and personal elements including metabolism or simultaneous health issues."
Although some side effects, like changes in sleep, appetite, or stamina, are quite frequent and often improve as time passes, different reactions may be less common or continuing.
Speak with Your Physician Concerning Intense Side Effects
Antidepressant side effects may range in severity, which could justify a adjustment in your treatment.
"A adjustment in antidepressant may be warranted if the patient suffers ongoing or unbearable unwanted effects that fail to enhance with duration or management strategies," one specialist stated.
"Furthermore, if there is an development of recent health problems that may be aggravated by the current drug, for instance high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, or significant increased body weight."
Individuals may additionally contemplate speaking with your healthcare provider concerning any lack of meaningful enhancement in low mood or worry symptoms after an appropriate evaluation duration. The appropriate testing period is generally 4–8 weeks at a effective dosage.
Individual inclination is also important. Some patients may choose to avoid particular adverse reactions, such as intimacy issues or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition
