Antidepressant Adverse Reactions Including Body Weight, BP Changes Range by Drug
- A comprehensive new investigation found that the adverse reactions of antidepressant medications range considerably by drug.
- Some drugs led to weight loss, whereas others led to weight gain.
- Heart rate and BP also diverged notably between medications.
- Those encountering continuing, serious, or troubling side effects ought to speak with a healthcare professional.
New investigations has revealed that antidepressant medication adverse reactions may be more diverse than earlier believed.
The comprehensive investigation, released on October 21, assessed the effect of depression treatments on in excess of 58,000 individuals within the beginning eight weeks of starting therapy.
The investigators studied 151 studies of 30 drugs typically employed to manage major depression. While not everyone develops unwanted effects, some of the most common recorded in the research were fluctuations in body weight, arterial pressure, and metabolic parameters.
There were notable variations among depression treatments. As an illustration, an eight-week regimen of one medication was linked to an typical decrease in mass of around 2.4 kilograms (roughly 5.3 lbs), while maprotiline patients gained close to 2 kg in the same timeframe.
There were also, marked variations in cardiovascular activity: fluvoxamine often would slow cardiac rhythm, whereas another medication raised it, producing a difference of approximately 21 beats per minute across the two medications. Blood pressure differed too, with an 11 mmHg variation seen across nortriptyline and doxepin.
Depression Drug Adverse Reactions Encompass a Extensive Spectrum
Clinical professionals commented that the study's results are not recent or unexpected to mental health professionals.
"Clinicians have long recognized that distinct antidepressant medications vary in their influences on weight, blood pressure, and further metabolic measures," a specialist stated.
"Nonetheless, what is notable about this investigation is the rigorous, comparison-based measurement of these disparities among a broad spectrum of physiological parameters employing data from more than 58,000 subjects," this professional added.
The research provides strong proof of the degree of adverse reactions, several of which are more common than others. Typical antidepressant medication unwanted effects may comprise:
- digestive issues (queasiness, diarrhea, blockage)
- sexual problems (reduced sex drive, anorgasmia)
- body weight fluctuations (gain or decrease, based on the drug)
- rest issues (sleeplessness or sleepiness)
- oral dehydration, perspiration, headache
Meanwhile, less common but medically important adverse reactions may include:
- elevations in BP or heart rate (notably with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and certain tricyclics)
- reduced blood sodium (particularly in older adults, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
- liver enzyme elevations
- Corrected QT interval lengthening (potential of arrhythmia, especially with one medication and some tricyclics)
- diminished feelings or indifference
"One thing to consider regarding this matter is that there are various different categories of antidepressant medications, which lead to the varying adverse drug effects," another professional explained.
"Furthermore, depression treatments can impact each patient differently, and adverse effects can differ based on the exact medication, dosage, and individual elements such as metabolism or simultaneous health issues."
While several adverse reactions, like changes in rest, hunger, or stamina, are fairly frequent and frequently enhance over time, different reactions may be less frequent or longer-lasting.
Talk with Your Healthcare Provider Regarding Serious Side Effects
Antidepressant medication side effects may differ in seriousness, which could warrant a adjustment in your drug.
"A adjustment in antidepressant may be warranted if the patient experiences persistent or intolerable side effects that do not improve with duration or supportive measures," one specialist said.
"Furthermore, if there is an appearance of recently developed medical conditions that may be exacerbated by the present treatment, for example high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, or substantial mass addition."
Individuals may furthermore think about consulting with your doctor regarding any absence of significant enhancement in depression-related or anxiety symptoms following an adequate trial period. The adequate trial period is generally 4–8 weeks' time at a therapeutic dose.
Personal inclination is also crucial. Certain individuals may choose to evade specific side effects, such as sexual dysfunction or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition
