Depression Drug Side Effects Including Weight, BP Variations Differ Based on Pharmaceutical
- A extensive latest investigation discovered that the unwanted effects of antidepressant medications vary significantly by drug.
- Certain medications led to decreased mass, while different drugs led to added mass.
- Heart rate and arterial pressure furthermore varied significantly across drugs.
- Patients encountering ongoing, intense, or worrisome unwanted effects must discuss with a medical provider.
Latest studies has discovered that depression drug side effects may be more varied than once assumed.
The large-scale study, released on the 21st of October, examined the effect of antidepressant medications on in excess of 58,000 individuals within the first 60 days of beginning treatment.
The scientists examined 151 investigations of 30 drugs commonly used to address depression. While not everyone develops unwanted effects, several of the most common recorded in the study were changes in body weight, BP, and metabolic markers.
The study revealed notable disparities across antidepressant drugs. For instance, an 60-day course of agomelatine was connected with an typical weight loss of around 2.4 kg (roughly 5.3 lbs), while another drug users increased nearly 2 kg in the identical timeframe.
Furthermore, significant changes in cardiovascular activity: fluvoxamine was likely to slow heart rate, while another medication increased it, producing a disparity of approximately 21 BPM among the two medications. Arterial pressure fluctuated also, with an 11 mmHg difference noted among nortriptyline and another medication.
Antidepressant Medication Adverse Reactions Comprise a Extensive Array
Clinical specialists observed that the investigation's findings are not considered recent or startling to mental health professionals.
"Clinicians have long recognized that different depression drugs differ in their effects on weight, BP, and other metabolic indicators," one expert stated.
"Nevertheless, what is notable about this study is the comprehensive, comparison-based measurement of these variations among a extensive range of physiological parameters utilizing information from over 58,000 subjects," this professional added.
This investigation offers strong evidence of the degree of adverse reactions, some of which are more frequent than others. Frequent antidepressant side effects may comprise:
- stomach problems (queasiness, diarrhea, blockage)
- sexual problems (lowered desire, anorgasmia)
- mass variations (increase or decrease, depending on the medication)
- sleep problems (inability to sleep or sleepiness)
- mouth dryness, moisture, headache
Meanwhile, less common but therapeutically relevant side effects may encompass:
- rises in blood pressure or heart rate (particularly with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and some tricyclics)
- hyponatremia (especially in older adults, with SSRIs and SNRIs)
- elevated hepatic parameters
- QTc prolongation (potential of arrhythmia, particularly with one medication and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
- emotional blunting or lack of interest
"One thing to remember here is that there are several different classes of depression drugs, which result in the varying adverse pharmaceutical side effects," a different expert stated.
"Furthermore, antidepressant medications can affect each person distinctly, and adverse side effects can differ depending on the particular medication, dose, and individual considerations such as body chemistry or simultaneous health issues."
While several adverse reactions, including changes in rest, appetite, or energy levels, are quite common and frequently improve as time passes, others may be less frequent or longer-lasting.
Talk with Your Physician About Intense Side Effects
Antidepressant adverse reactions may range in intensity, which could warrant a change in your drug.
"An modification in antidepressant may be appropriate if the patient suffers persistent or intolerable unwanted effects that don't get better with duration or supportive care," a specialist said.
"Furthermore, if there is an appearance of recently developed health problems that may be exacerbated by the current treatment, such as high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythm, or substantial weight gain."
You may additionally consider speaking with your doctor concerning any absence of substantial enhancement in depression-related or anxiety-related symptoms following an appropriate evaluation duration. An adequate evaluation duration is typically 4–8 weeks at a therapeutic dosage.
Personal preference is also important. Certain individuals may choose to prevent certain adverse reactions, such as intimacy issues or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition
