Depression Drug Side Effects Including Body Weight, Blood Pressure Fluctuations Differ Depending on Medication
- An extensive recent study found that the side effects of depression drugs range considerably by drug.
- Certain pharmaceuticals resulted in reduced body weight, while other medications led to increased body weight.
- Heart rate and BP also diverged notably between treatments.
- Those encountering ongoing, severe, or concerning side effects must consult a healthcare professional.
Latest investigations has discovered that depression drug side effects may be more diverse than previously thought.
The extensive study, released on October 21st, assessed the effect of depression treatments on over 58,000 subjects within the initial eight weeks of beginning medication.
These researchers studied 151 investigations of 30 pharmaceuticals frequently employed to treat major depression. While not everyone develops side effects, certain of the most prevalent observed in the study were variations in body weight, blood pressure, and metabolic indicators.
The study revealed striking differences between antidepressant drugs. As an illustration, an two-month treatment period of agomelatine was connected with an mean reduction in body weight of approximately 2.4 kilograms (roughly 5.3 lbs), while another drug individuals gained close to 2 kg in the same period.
Furthermore, significant changes in cardiovascular activity: fluvoxamine was likely to decrease heart rate, in contrast another medication increased it, producing a disparity of around 21 beats per minute among the both treatments. Arterial pressure fluctuated as well, with an 11 mmHg disparity seen among one drug and another medication.
Antidepressant Medication Unwanted Effects Encompass a Extensive Spectrum
Medical experts commented that the study's conclusions are not considered novel or surprising to psychiatric specialists.
"We've long known that various depression drugs vary in their effects on weight, arterial pressure, and additional metabolic parameters," a professional commented.
"However, what is remarkable about this research is the rigorous, comparative assessment of these variations across a extensive array of bodily measurements employing findings from in excess of 58,000 participants," this expert added.
This research delivers comprehensive evidence of the degree of side effects, some of which are more frequent than other effects. Typical depression drug side effects may encompass:
- digestive issues (queasiness, diarrhea, irregularity)
- intimacy issues (reduced sex drive, orgasmic dysfunction)
- mass variations (increase or reduction, based on the drug)
- rest issues (inability to sleep or sedation)
- oral dehydration, perspiration, headache
Meanwhile, less common but clinically significant side effects may include:
- elevations in BP or pulse rate (especially with SNRIs and some tricyclics)
- low sodium (notably in older adults, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and SNRIs)
- increased liver enzymes
- Corrected QT interval prolongation (chance of arrhythmia, notably with citalopram and some tricyclic antidepressants)
- reduced emotions or lack of interest
"A key factor to consider in this context is that there are various varying classes of antidepressants, which result in the distinct adverse drug effects," another specialist commented.
"Furthermore, depression treatments can influence each patient differently, and negative side effects can vary according to the exact medication, dosage, and personal factors including metabolism or comorbidities."
Although certain side effects, including fluctuations in sleep, hunger, or stamina, are reasonably common and frequently enhance with time, others may be less frequent or continuing.
Speak with Your Physician Concerning Intense Unwanted Effects
Antidepressant side effects may range in intensity, which could require a change in your treatment.
"An change in antidepressant may be appropriate if the person experiences continuing or unacceptable unwanted effects that fail to enhance with duration or supportive care," one professional commented.
"Additionally, if there is an appearance of new medical conditions that may be exacerbated by the existing medication, for example elevated BP, irregular heartbeat, or substantial weight gain."
You may also consider speaking with your physician about any deficiency of substantial improvement in depressive or anxiety-related indicators subsequent to an appropriate testing period. The sufficient testing period is usually 4–8 weeks duration at a effective dose.
Individual preference is furthermore significant. Some individuals may prefer to avoid certain side effects, such as sexual problems or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition
