Antidepressant Medication Side Effects Including Weight, Blood Pressure Changes Range by Drug
- An comprehensive new study discovered that the unwanted effects of antidepressant medications differ considerably by drug.
- Certain pharmaceuticals caused weight loss, while different drugs resulted in increased body weight.
- Cardiac rhythm and blood pressure furthermore diverged markedly among treatments.
- Those encountering persistent, serious, or worrisome adverse reactions should consult a physician.
Recent research has found that antidepressant unwanted effects may be more diverse than once assumed.
The large-scale study, published on October 21, examined the impact of antidepressant drugs on over 58,000 individuals within the first eight weeks of beginning therapy.
These investigators analyzed 151 studies of 30 drugs typically employed to treat major depression. While not all individuals encounters adverse reactions, certain of the most common recorded in the research were fluctuations in weight, arterial pressure, and metabolic markers.
There were significant variations between antidepressant drugs. For example, an 60-day regimen of agomelatine was linked to an mean weight loss of about 2.4 kilograms (about 5.3 pounds), while another drug users increased close to 2 kg in the same duration.
Furthermore, marked fluctuations in heart function: fluvoxamine often would decrease cardiac rhythm, in contrast another medication elevated it, creating a disparity of around 21 heartbeats per minute across the two drugs. Blood pressure differed also, with an 11 millimeters of mercury disparity noted among nortriptyline and another medication.
Antidepressant Medication Adverse Reactions Encompass a Extensive Range
Clinical specialists noted that the research's conclusions aren't recent or surprising to psychiatrists.
"Clinicians have long recognized that various depression drugs range in their effects on weight, BP, and further metabolic parameters," one professional stated.
"Nonetheless, what is remarkable about this investigation is the rigorous, comparative quantification of these differences across a extensive array of physical indicators utilizing data from over 58,000 individuals," this specialist added.
This research provides strong support of the magnitude of adverse reactions, several of which are more frequent than others. Common antidepressant medication side effects may comprise:
- digestive issues (nausea, diarrhea, blockage)
- sexual problems (decreased libido, anorgasmia)
- body weight fluctuations (gain or loss, according to the agent)
- rest issues (inability to sleep or sleepiness)
- mouth dryness, moisture, headache
Meanwhile, rarer but clinically significant adverse reactions may include:
- increases in arterial pressure or cardiac rhythm (notably with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
- low sodium (particularly in senior patients, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and SNRIs)
- liver enzyme elevations
- QTc extension (potential of irregular heartbeat, especially with citalopram and certain tricyclics)
- reduced emotions or lack of interest
"One thing to note regarding this matter is that there are multiple varying types of antidepressants, which contribute to the different unwanted pharmaceutical effects," another expert explained.
"Additionally, depression treatments can influence each patient distinctly, and unwanted side effects can range based on the particular medication, dose, and individual considerations such as metabolic rate or comorbidities."
Although some unwanted effects, such as variations in rest, hunger, or stamina, are fairly typical and frequently improve as time passes, different reactions may be less frequent or more persistent.
Speak with Your Physician About Intense Side Effects
Depression drug adverse reactions may vary in seriousness, which could require a modification in your drug.
"A adjustment in antidepressant medication may be warranted if the person encounters persistent or intolerable unwanted effects that fail to enhance with duration or supportive measures," one expert stated.
"Moreover, if there is an development of recently developed medical conditions that may be worsened by the present drug, for instance elevated BP, arrhythmia, or significant weight gain."
Individuals may also consider talking with your doctor about any absence of substantial enhancement in depressive or anxiety-related indicators after an appropriate evaluation duration. The adequate evaluation duration is typically 4–8 weeks' time at a treatment dose.
Patient inclination is additionally significant. Certain patients may choose to prevent specific adverse reactions, including intimacy issues or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition
