The Subtle Nuances of Antidepressant Side Effects: Weight Gain Considerations
Dr. Danish frequently works with patients using various medications, including antidepressants, to manage depression and anxiety. Antidepressants are designed to help individuals by stabilizing neurotransmitter levels, which can significantly improve mood and overall mental health. However, these medications can have side effects for some patients, one of which is weight gain. Understanding the nuanced differences in side effects among various antidepressants is crucial for making informed decisions about which medication to try.
Antidepressants' effectiveness in treating depression and anxiety has been well-documented. By targeting neurochemical imbalances, these medications provide a valuable tool in the comprehensive treatment plans that Dr. Danish and his team at Philadelphia Integrative Psychiatry develop for their patients. This holistic approach, which combines medication management with therapy, lifestyle adjustments, and other supportive measures, aims to address the multifaceted nature of mental health conditions.
Weight Gain Differences Among Antidepressants
The observational study, Medication-Induced Weight Change Across Common Antidepressant Treatments, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, examined weight changes associated with eight common first-line antidepressants. Utilizing electronic health record data from 183,118 patients, the study compared weight changes over a 24-month period. The results indicated that, compared to sertraline, escitalopram, paroxetine, duloxetine, venlafaxine, and citalopram were associated with higher weight gain, while bupropion was associated with less weight gain. Fluoxetine showed similar weight changes to sertraline.
SSRIs stand for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. They are the most commonly prescribed class of medications in psychiatry. Here is a blog with more information about how they work and potential side effects.
Important Caveats:
Bupropion (Wellbutrin): Often associated with weight loss, but it is usually not helpful for anxiety. Read this blog for more on Wellbutrin XL (bupropion XL), including dosing, efficacy, and side effects.
Mirtazapine (Remeron): Known as the antidepressant with the highest increase in appetite and weight gain, but it was not included in the study. Here is a blog on Remeron, including information on dosing, efficacy, and potential side effects.
Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq): A newer SNRI thought to have less weight gain than venlafaxine, duloxetine, and SSRIs, but it was not examined in this study. Read more on this important antidepressant in Dr. Danish’s blog.
Other Newer Antidepressants: Medications such as Auvelity, Viibryd, Trintellix, and others were also not studied.
Here is more information on Auvelity for depression including side effects, dosing, and information on how fast it works for many.
Viibryd (vilazodone) is a fast-acting antidepressant with a lower side effect profile compared to most other antidepressants. Read more about its benefits, dosing, and potential side effects.
Trintellix (vortioxetine) is an antidepressant that works on serotonin in a different way than SSRIs do. It is FDA approved for depression in adults, but is also used off-label for depression in other age groups, anxiety, improving cognition, and OCD. Please read this blog for more on dosing, efficacy, and potential side effects.
Older Antidepressants: Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) were not included in this study either.
Read more in this blog about the efficacy, dosing, and potential side effects of an old but effective class of antidepressants called the Tricyclic Antidepressants.
MAOIs are a unique class of antidepressants that are considered the strongest out there. Please read Dr. Danish's essential blog on the potential risks and dangerous food & medication interactions to be mindful of when taking MAOIs.
Side Effects are Unique to Each Patient
One unique and important aspect of antidepressant side effects is their variability from patient to patient. While some individuals may experience weight gain on a particular medication, others might lose weight on the same drug. This variability underscores the importance of personalized treatment plans. It's crucial to note that this data should not push a patient to change their antidepressant medication if it is performing well with only mild weight gain. In most cases, there is no significant weight gain with most antidepressants.
Getting in Touch with Dr. Danish and his Team
At Philadelphia Integrative Psychiatry, we make it a priority to stay on top of the latest research related to antidepressant side effects so we can provide the best quality care in a safe manner. Our holistic and integrative approach ensures that we consider all aspects of our patients' well-being in developing personalized treatment plans. If you or a loved one are seeking support for depression, anxiety, or similar conditions, please text or call 610-999-6414 to learn how we can help.
For more on this topic and related subjects, check out these blogs:
Updates on possible causes of depression
Source:
