Antidepressant Adverse Reactions Including Body Weight, Blood Pressure Variations Differ by Drug

Recent study offers comprehensive evidence of the broad range of depression treatment unwanted effects.
  • An extensive latest research found that the side effects of antidepressant medications vary significantly by drug.
  • Certain drugs caused decreased mass, whereas others resulted in added mass.
  • Heart rate and BP furthermore differed notably across drugs.
  • Patients suffering from continuing, serious, or troubling unwanted effects must speak with a medical provider.

New studies has found that depression drug side effects may be more extensive than previously thought.

The extensive investigation, published on the 21st of October, examined the influence of antidepressant drugs on in excess of 58,000 subjects within the initial eight weeks of commencing treatment.

These scientists studied 151 investigations of 30 pharmaceuticals commonly used to address clinical depression. While not everyone experiences adverse reactions, certain of the most common noted in the study were changes in body weight, blood pressure, and metabolic indicators.

The study revealed striking differences between antidepressant medications. For instance, an eight-week course of agomelatine was linked to an mean reduction in body weight of around 2.4 kilograms (about 5.3 pounds), while another drug patients increased close to 2 kg in the equivalent timeframe.

Additionally, marked fluctuations in cardiovascular activity: one antidepressant was likely to reduce heart rate, whereas nortriptyline elevated it, producing a gap of approximately 21 heartbeats per minute among the both treatments. Arterial pressure differed as well, with an 11 millimeters of mercury variation seen across one drug and another medication.

Depression Drug Unwanted Effects Include a Broad Range

Healthcare professionals noted that the investigation's conclusions are not recent or startling to psychiatric specialists.

"Clinicians have long recognized that different depression drugs vary in their effects on body weight, BP, and additional metabolic measures," a professional commented.

"Nevertheless, what is notable about this study is the rigorous, comparison-based measurement of these variations across a broad spectrum of bodily measurements utilizing data from in excess of 58,000 subjects," this professional added.

This investigation delivers strong evidence of the degree of side effects, several of which are more frequent than other effects. Typical antidepressant medication unwanted effects may include:

  • digestive issues (nausea, bowel issues, constipation)
  • intimacy issues (reduced sex drive, inability to orgasm)
  • body weight fluctuations (gain or decrease, according to the drug)
  • sleep disturbances (sleeplessness or drowsiness)
  • oral dehydration, sweating, migraine

Meanwhile, less common but clinically significant adverse reactions may include:

  • elevations in BP or cardiac rhythm (notably with SNRIs and some tricyclics)
  • reduced blood sodium (notably in senior patients, with SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
  • liver enzyme elevations
  • QTc prolongation (potential of arrhythmia, especially with one medication and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
  • reduced emotions or indifference

"One thing to note in this context is that there are several different categories of depression drugs, which contribute to the distinct negative drug reactions," a different specialist commented.

"Additionally, depression treatments can influence each patient variably, and adverse effects can range depending on the exact drug, dosage, and personal elements like metabolism or simultaneous health issues."

Although several adverse reactions, like variations in sleep, appetite, or stamina, are reasonably typical and commonly improve as time passes, different reactions may be less typical or continuing.

Talk with Your Healthcare Provider About Intense Side Effects

Depression drug unwanted effects may differ in seriousness, which could require a change in your drug.

"An adjustment in depression drug may be necessary if the person experiences continuing or intolerable adverse reactions that do not improve with time or management strategies," a specialist commented.

"Additionally, if there is an appearance of new medical issues that may be aggravated by the current drug, for instance hypertension, irregular heartbeat, or considerable mass addition."

You may furthermore consider consulting with your healthcare provider about any absence of meaningful progress in depressive or worry indicators following an appropriate evaluation duration. An adequate trial period is usually 4–8 weeks at a therapeutic dosage.

Individual preference is furthermore significant. Some individuals may choose to evade specific side effects, like intimacy issues or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition

Randy Price
Randy Price

Award-winning journalist with a passion for uncovering stories that matter in tech and culture.

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