Antidepressant Adverse Reactions Including Body Weight, Blood Pressure Changes Vary Depending on Medication

Latest research delivers comprehensive evidence of the broad range of depression treatment adverse reactions.
  • An large latest research found that the side effects of antidepressant medications vary substantially by drug.
  • Some medications led to reduced body weight, whereas different drugs caused added mass.
  • Pulse rate and blood pressure additionally varied notably across treatments.
  • Those encountering ongoing, severe, or concerning unwanted effects should speak with a healthcare professional.

Latest research has revealed that antidepressant medication unwanted effects may be more diverse than earlier believed.

This large-scale investigation, released on the 21st of October, analyzed the effect of depression treatments on over 58,000 individuals within the first eight weeks of beginning therapy.

These researchers examined 151 research projects of 30 drugs commonly employed to manage depression. Although not all individuals develops side effects, some of the most common recorded in the study were variations in body weight, blood pressure, and metabolic markers.

There were notable disparities among antidepressant drugs. For instance, an two-month regimen of one medication was linked to an average reduction in body weight of approximately 2.4 kilos (approximately 5.3 pounds), whereas another drug users increased almost 2 kg in the same timeframe.

There were also, significant changes in cardiovascular activity: one antidepressant tended to reduce pulse rate, in contrast another medication elevated it, causing a disparity of approximately 21 beats per minute among the both treatments. BP varied as well, with an 11 mmHg difference seen between one drug and another medication.

Depression Drug Unwanted Effects Comprise a Wide Spectrum

Medical experts noted that the study's conclusions aren't novel or unexpected to psychiatric specialists.

"Clinicians have long recognized that distinct antidepressant medications range in their effects on body weight, blood pressure, and further metabolic parameters," one specialist commented.

"Nonetheless, what is notable about this research is the comprehensive, comparison-based measurement of these disparities throughout a broad spectrum of bodily measurements using information from in excess of 58,000 subjects," the expert added.

The investigation delivers comprehensive support of the degree of side effects, several of which are more frequent than others. Common antidepressant medication adverse reactions may encompass:

  • stomach problems (queasiness, diarrhea, constipation)
  • sexual problems (decreased libido, inability to orgasm)
  • weight changes (increase or decrease, based on the medication)
  • rest issues (insomnia or sedation)
  • mouth dryness, perspiration, migraine

Additionally, less frequent but therapeutically relevant adverse reactions may encompass:

  • rises in blood pressure or pulse rate (especially with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and some tricyclic antidepressants)
  • reduced blood sodium (notably in senior patients, with SSRIs and SNRIs)
  • liver enzyme elevations
  • QTc lengthening (risk of arrhythmia, particularly with citalopram and some tricyclics)
  • reduced emotions or lack of interest

"A key factor to remember regarding this matter is that there are various varying classes of depression drugs, which result in the varying negative pharmaceutical side effects," a different specialist explained.

"Moreover, antidepressant drugs can impact each patient variably, and unwanted effects can vary based on the particular drug, dose, and patient factors including body chemistry or comorbidities."

Although some side effects, including fluctuations in sleep, hunger, or energy levels, are quite common and commonly improve as time passes, other effects may be less typical or longer-lasting.

Talk with Your Healthcare Provider Regarding Serious Side Effects

Depression drug unwanted effects may vary in intensity, which could justify a adjustment in your treatment.

"An modification in depression drug may be necessary if the person encounters ongoing or unbearable unwanted effects that don't get better with time or supportive care," one expert said.

"Additionally, if there is an appearance of new medical issues that may be worsened by the present drug, such as high blood pressure, arrhythmia, or significant increased body weight."

Patients may furthermore contemplate speaking with your doctor about any absence of significant enhancement in depressive or anxiety indicators after an sufficient evaluation duration. The sufficient testing period is usually 4–8 weeks duration at a effective dosage.

Individual inclination is also crucial. Some patients may choose to evade specific adverse reactions, including sexual problems or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition

Daniel Cline
Daniel Cline

Travel enthusiast and hospitality expert with a passion for sharing authentic Italian experiences and luxury travel tips.