New Antidepressant Side Effects: Weight Gain, Pain, and more

Antidepressants are among the most prescribed medications in the United States. They play an important role in modern medicine. However, like all medications, they carry side effects. Learn the latest research revealing newly discovered side effects that patients should be aware of.

#1: Weight Gain Side Effects

Weight gain can come from many factors, including sleep disturbances, lack of physical activity, or changes in food intake. Many of these factors are affected by depression. However, antidepressants may also contribute to weight gain from a recent study:

• Zoloft (sertraline): ~0.5 pounds at six months → 3.2 pounds at 24 months
• Lexapro (escitalopram): ~1.4 pounds at six months → 3.6 pounds at 24 months
• Paxil (paroxetine): 1.4 pounds at six months → 2.9 pounds at 24 months
• Cymbalta (duloxetine): 1.2 pounds at six months → 1.7 pounds at 24 months

The antidepressant least likely to contribute to weight gain was Wellbutrin (bupropion). Cymbalta (duloxetine) and Effexor (venlafaxine) had lower changes in weight than other antidepressants. This is significant because one would expect improving mood symptoms to correlate with improvements in physical activity and healthy eating patterns. Unfortunately, weight gain can lead to discontinuing these medications and relapse.

#2: Worse Pain Side Effects

Opioid pain medications tend to use a particular enzyme to produce the pain relief. This enzyme is called CYP2D6 and many common antidepressants interact with it. Pain medications that rely on CYP2D6 for metabolism include:

• Hydrocodone (Vicodin)
• Codeine
• Tramadol
• Oxycodone

Unfortunately, many SSRI and SNRI antidepressants inhibit CYP2D6, including:

• Wellbutrin (bupropion)
• Cymbalta (duloxetine)
• Prozac (fluoxetine)
• Paxil (paroxetine)
• Doxepin

These interactions can impact pain. A recent study found that patients using these SSRI and SNRIs had more frequent complications than those using other classes of antidepressants:

• Worsening pain
• Pain-related hospitalizations
• Pain-related emergency room visits

The reasons are likely multifactorial, but emphasize the importance of using antidepressants judiciously in patients suffering from depression and anxiety.

#3 Withdrawal Side Effects and "Discontinuation Syndrome"

Antidepressant withdrawals were first described in 1959. Unfortunately, the medical community has underestimated the duration of these withdrawal symptoms, previously believed to be just 1-2 weeks. Withdrawal symptoms are highly variable and can last weeks to months, including:

• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nausea
• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Rebound depression

These withdrawal symptoms may affect anywhere from 14% to 86% of patients. Given how widely prescribed antidepressants are, this has caused significant controversy. A recent study

A recent study better clarified the incidence of these side effects from antidepressants:

• About 1 in 3 patients discontinuing antidepressants will experience symptoms
• About 1 in 6 patients experience symptoms after discontinuing a placebo
• Severe withdrawal symptoms occurred in 1 in 30 patients

Some antidepressants are more likely to cause withdrawal symptoms, affecting ~30-40%. These include:

• Effexor (venlafaxine)
• Pristiq (desvenlafaxine)
• Lexapro (Escitalopram)
• Paxil (paroxetine)
• Cymbalta (duloxetine)
• Luvox (fluvoxamine)

The shorter the half-life of the medication, the more likely it is to cause withdrawals. To minimize these symptoms, doctors try to either taper antidepressants or switch to medications with longer half-lives, such as fluoxetine.

Discover New Ways to Reduce Depression and Anxiety with IV Ketamine

IV Ketamine is entirely different than traditional antidepressants. It can produce rapid improvements with a few number of treatments. It has many advantages compared to antidepressants with their side effects:

• Rapid symptom relief beginning in hours
• Just a few doses (6 on average) instead of daily, like traditional medications
• Minimal side effects compared to antidepressants

It is important to discuss IV Ketamine and Stellate Ganglion Block therapy with your doctor so you understand their side effects, however rare. You deserve to uncover your healing potential with these powerful therapies. Learn more about the options for your depression and anxiety by contacting Clarus Health today.