Antidepressant Adverse Reactions Such as Weight, BP Fluctuations Range Depending on Medication
- An large recent investigation determined that the adverse reactions of depression drugs differ considerably by drug.
- Certain pharmaceuticals led to reduced body weight, while others caused increased body weight.
- Heart rate and BP furthermore differed notably among treatments.
- Those suffering from continuing, serious, or worrisome adverse reactions should speak with a physician.
Recent research has revealed that depression drug unwanted effects may be more diverse than earlier believed.
This comprehensive study, published on the 21st of October, assessed the influence of antidepressant medications on over 58,000 participants within the first eight weeks of commencing treatment.
These researchers analyzed 151 research projects of 30 drugs typically prescribed to manage clinical depression. While not every patient develops unwanted effects, certain of the most frequent noted in the investigation were variations in weight, blood pressure, and metabolic indicators.
Researchers observed significant differences among depression treatments. As an illustration, an eight-week treatment period of agomelatine was associated with an mean decrease in mass of approximately 2.4 kilos (approximately 5.3 lbs), while maprotiline individuals increased almost 2 kg in the same duration.
Furthermore, significant fluctuations in cardiac function: one antidepressant tended to decrease pulse rate, whereas another medication raised it, causing a gap of approximately 21 beats per minute across the two drugs. BP varied as well, with an 11 millimeters of mercury disparity seen across one drug and doxepin.
Antidepressant Medication Unwanted Effects Comprise a Wide Spectrum
Medical professionals noted that the study's results aren't new or startling to psychiatrists.
"It has long been understood that various antidepressant medications range in their impacts on body weight, arterial pressure, and further metabolic indicators," a specialist stated.
"Nevertheless, what is notable about this research is the comprehensive, relative quantification of these variations across a broad range of physical indicators employing data from more than 58,000 individuals," this specialist noted.
This study provides comprehensive evidence of the degree of side effects, several of which are more prevalent than other effects. Typical antidepressant medication side effects may comprise:
- gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, diarrhea, constipation)
- intimacy issues (decreased libido, anorgasmia)
- weight changes (increase or loss, based on the medication)
- sleep problems (sleeplessness or drowsiness)
- dry mouth, sweating, migraine
Meanwhile, rarer but clinically significant adverse reactions may comprise:
- rises in arterial pressure or heart rate (notably with SNRIs and some tricyclic antidepressants)
- low sodium (particularly in elderly individuals, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and SNRIs)
- increased liver enzymes
- QTc extension (risk of abnormal heart rhythm, particularly with one medication and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
- emotional blunting or apathy
"A key factor to note regarding this matter is that there are several different types of antidepressants, which contribute to the distinct negative pharmaceutical reactions," another professional commented.
"Additionally, antidepressant drugs can affect each patient variably, and adverse side effects can differ depending on the specific drug, dosage, and patient considerations including metabolism or co-occurring conditions."
While several side effects, like changes in sleep, appetite, or vitality, are reasonably common and commonly enhance with time, other effects may be less frequent or more persistent.
Talk with Your Physician About Intense Side Effects
Antidepressant medication unwanted effects may range in severity, which could justify a change in your treatment.
"An modification in antidepressant may be appropriate if the patient suffers ongoing or unbearable adverse reactions that fail to enhance with passing days or management strategies," a professional commented.
"Additionally, if there is an emergence of recently developed medical issues that may be exacerbated by the existing treatment, for instance high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythm, or considerable mass addition."
Patients may furthermore consider speaking with your physician about any lack of substantial enhancement in depression-related or anxiety signs after an adequate trial period. An sufficient testing period is generally 4–8 weeks duration at a therapeutic dose.
Individual preference is also crucial. Certain individuals may choose to avoid certain adverse reactions, such as intimacy issues or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition
