Antidepressant Adverse Reactions Like Weight, BP Fluctuations Range by Drug

- A extensive new research found that the side effects of antidepressant medications range significantly by drug.
- Certain pharmaceuticals resulted in weight loss, whereas others led to weight gain.
- Pulse rate and blood pressure furthermore diverged notably among drugs.
- Patients experiencing ongoing, serious, or troubling adverse reactions must discuss with a medical provider.
New research has discovered that antidepressant medication unwanted effects may be more diverse than earlier believed.
This comprehensive research, published on October 21, examined the influence of antidepressant drugs on over 58,000 individuals within the beginning eight weeks of starting therapy.
These scientists examined 151 research projects of 30 drugs commonly used to treat depression. While not every patient experiences unwanted effects, some of the most prevalent observed in the study were fluctuations in weight, blood pressure, and metabolic markers.
Researchers observed notable disparities across antidepressant medications. For instance, an two-month course of agomelatine was connected with an typical decrease in mass of about 2.4 kilograms (approximately 5.3 pounds), whereas another drug individuals gained close to 2 kg in the same duration.
Additionally, significant variations in cardiac function: one antidepressant was likely to decrease pulse rate, in contrast another medication raised it, creating a difference of approximately 21 BPM among the both treatments. Blood pressure differed too, with an 11 mmHg variation noted among one drug and doxepin.
Depression Drug Unwanted Effects Include a Wide Spectrum
Medical specialists commented that the investigation's results aren't recent or startling to psychiatric specialists.
"It has long been understood that distinct depression drugs differ in their impacts on body weight, BP, and additional metabolic measures," one expert stated.
"However, what is remarkable about this investigation is the rigorous, comparative assessment of these variations throughout a extensive range of physiological parameters using data from more than 58,000 participants," this specialist added.
This research delivers comprehensive support of the degree of adverse reactions, some of which are more prevalent than other effects. Common depression drug side effects may encompass:
- stomach problems (queasiness, diarrhea, blockage)
- intimacy issues (lowered desire, inability to orgasm)
- body weight fluctuations (gain or loss, depending on the agent)
- rest issues (insomnia or sleepiness)
- oral dehydration, moisture, headache
At the same time, less common but therapeutically relevant adverse reactions may encompass:
- rises in blood pressure or cardiac rhythm (particularly with SNRIs and some tricyclics)
- reduced blood sodium (especially in older adults, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and SNRIs)
- increased liver enzymes
- Corrected QT interval prolongation (risk of arrhythmia, particularly with one medication and certain tricyclics)
- diminished feelings or lack of interest
"One thing to remember regarding this matter is that there are several different types of depression drugs, which result in the different adverse drug reactions," a different professional explained.
"Furthermore, depression treatments can affect each patient differently, and unwanted reactions can differ according to the exact medication, dose, and patient factors like metabolism or comorbidities."
Although several adverse reactions, like fluctuations in rest, appetite, or vitality, are fairly frequent and frequently improve with time, different reactions may be less frequent or more persistent.
Consult with Your Healthcare Provider Concerning Severe Adverse Reactions
Antidepressant medication adverse reactions may vary in seriousness, which could require a adjustment in your medication.
"An adjustment in depression drug may be warranted if the individual experiences continuing or unacceptable unwanted effects that fail to enhance with time or supportive measures," one specialist commented.
"Additionally, if there is an emergence of new health problems that may be exacerbated by the current treatment, for example hypertension, abnormal heart rhythm, or substantial mass addition."
Patients may also consider talking with your healthcare provider regarding any lack of meaningful progress in depressive or anxiety indicators following an adequate evaluation duration. An sufficient trial period is generally 4–8 weeks' time at a treatment amount.
Individual choice is furthermore significant. Certain patients may choose to evade specific side effects, like sexual problems or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition