Antidepressant Unwanted Effects Such as Weight, Blood Pressure Fluctuations Vary Based on Pharmaceutical

Recent study offers robust findings of the wide spectrum of antidepressant medication unwanted effects.
  • A extensive latest study found that the adverse reactions of antidepressant medications range substantially by drug.
  • Some pharmaceuticals caused weight loss, whereas different drugs caused increased body weight.
  • Pulse rate and arterial pressure furthermore diverged markedly between drugs.
  • Patients experiencing persistent, serious, or worrisome side effects should consult a healthcare professional.

Latest studies has discovered that depression drug adverse reactions may be more extensive than earlier believed.

The extensive research, issued on October 21st, analyzed the effect of antidepressant drugs on over 58,000 subjects within the beginning two months of starting therapy.

These researchers analyzed 151 studies of 30 medications frequently employed to address major depression. While not all individuals encounters adverse reactions, some of the most prevalent noted in the study were fluctuations in body weight, blood pressure, and metabolic indicators.

Researchers observed striking variations across antidepressant medications. As an illustration, an 60-day treatment period of agomelatine was associated with an mean weight loss of approximately 2.4 kg (approximately 5.3 pounds), while maprotiline patients added almost 2 kg in the identical timeframe.

Furthermore, notable variations in heart function: one antidepressant often would decrease heart rate, while another medication increased it, causing a disparity of about 21 heartbeats per minute between the two drugs. BP differed also, with an 11 millimeters of mercury disparity seen among nortriptyline and another medication.

Antidepressant Medication Adverse Reactions Comprise a Extensive Spectrum

Medical specialists observed that the investigation's conclusions are not considered novel or startling to psychiatrists.

"It has long been understood that different antidepressants vary in their impacts on body weight, blood pressure, and further metabolic parameters," one specialist explained.

"Nonetheless, what is notable about this study is the rigorous, comparative quantification of these differences across a wide range of physical indicators employing information from more than 58,000 individuals," this specialist added.

This study offers robust support of the magnitude of side effects, several of which are more prevalent than others. Frequent antidepressant side effects may comprise:

  • stomach problems (sickness, bowel issues, constipation)
  • sexual problems (lowered desire, inability to orgasm)
  • weight changes (gain or loss, based on the agent)
  • rest issues (insomnia or drowsiness)
  • dry mouth, perspiration, migraine

Additionally, less frequent but medically important unwanted effects may encompass:

  • increases in blood pressure or heart rate (especially with SNRIs and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
  • hyponatremia (particularly in elderly individuals, with SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
  • liver enzyme elevations
  • QTc extension (risk of abnormal heart rhythm, notably with citalopram and some tricyclics)
  • reduced emotions or apathy

"An important point to remember regarding this matter is that there are several distinct categories of antidepressant medications, which result in the different unwanted medication reactions," a different specialist commented.

"Additionally, antidepressant medications can impact each patient differently, and unwanted effects can range according to the exact pharmaceutical, dose, and individual elements such as body chemistry or comorbidities."

Although several adverse reactions, such as changes in sleep, hunger, or energy levels, are reasonably frequent and commonly enhance as time passes, different reactions may be less common or more persistent.

Consult with Your Doctor About Intense Side Effects

Antidepressant medication side effects may range in intensity, which could require a modification in your drug.

"A adjustment in depression drug may be necessary if the individual encounters persistent or unacceptable side effects that fail to enhance with duration or supportive care," one professional commented.

"Moreover, if there is an development of recently developed medical conditions that may be worsened by the existing drug, for instance elevated BP, abnormal heart rhythm, or considerable increased body weight."

Patients may also think about speaking with your healthcare provider regarding any deficiency of meaningful improvement in depression-related or anxiety symptoms following an sufficient trial period. An adequate evaluation duration is generally 4–8 weeks at a treatment amount.

Personal inclination is additionally important. Some people may choose to evade specific side effects, including sexual problems or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition

William Nixon
William Nixon

A digital strategist with over a decade of experience in SEO and content marketing, passionate about helping businesses thrive online.