Antidepressant Medication Side Effects Including Body Weight, BP Variations Vary by Drug

• An large latest investigation discovered that the unwanted effects of antidepressant medications differ substantially by drug.
• Certain drugs led to reduced body weight, whereas other medications caused added mass.
• Pulse rate and blood pressure additionally varied notably across drugs.
• Patients encountering ongoing, intense, or concerning adverse reactions must discuss with a physician.

Latest studies has found that antidepressant unwanted effects may be more diverse than earlier believed.

This comprehensive investigation, released on the 21st of October, examined the influence of antidepressant medications on over 58,000 participants within the first 60 days of commencing therapy.

These scientists analyzed 151 studies of 30 medications typically employed to manage major depression. Although not everyone encounters unwanted effects, several of the most frequent observed in the study were fluctuations in weight, arterial pressure, and metabolic indicators.

The study revealed striking disparities between antidepressant drugs. For example, an 60-day regimen of agomelatine was linked to an typical weight loss of approximately 2.4 kilos (approximately 5.3 pounds), while maprotiline individuals added nearly 2 kg in the identical period.

Furthermore, significant changes in cardiovascular activity: fluvoxamine tended to slow heart rate, in contrast nortriptyline increased it, producing a difference of approximately 21 beats per minute between the two drugs. Blood pressure varied as well, with an 11 millimeters of mercury disparity observed among one drug and doxepin.

Medical specialists noted that the research's results aren't novel or surprising to mental health professionals.

"We've long known that different depression drugs range in their impacts on body weight, arterial pressure, and other metabolic measures," a professional explained.

"Nonetheless, what is remarkable about this investigation is the comprehensive, comparative quantification of these disparities across a broad spectrum of bodily measurements employing information from more than 58,000 participants," the expert added.

This research delivers comprehensive support of the magnitude of adverse reactions, some of which are more frequent than different reactions. Typical depression drug adverse reactions may comprise:

• stomach problems (queasiness, bowel issues, irregularity)
• intimacy issues (decreased libido, anorgasmia)
• mass variations (addition or reduction, according to the drug)
• sleep problems (inability to sleep or drowsiness)
• mouth dryness, sweating, migraine

Meanwhile, less frequent but medically important side effects may encompass:

• rises in blood pressure or cardiac rhythm (especially with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and some tricyclics)
• reduced blood sodium (notably in senior patients, with SSRIs and SNRIs)
• elevated hepatic parameters
• QTc lengthening (risk of arrhythmia, particularly with citalopram and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
• emotional blunting or apathy

"An important point to remember regarding this matter is that there are multiple different categories of antidepressant medications, which lead to the varying adverse drug effects," a different specialist commented.

"Furthermore, depression treatments can influence each patient variably, and adverse reactions can range based on the specific pharmaceutical, dosage, and personal elements including body chemistry or co-occurring conditions."

While several side effects, such as fluctuations in sleep, hunger, or energy levels, are reasonably common and frequently enhance over time, others may be less common or longer-lasting.

Depression drug unwanted effects may range in seriousness, which could require a change in your treatment.

"An adjustment in depression drug may be warranted if the individual experiences persistent or intolerable unwanted effects that don't get better with passing days or management strategies," one professional said.

"Additionally, if there is an emergence of recently developed medical conditions that may be exacerbated by the present drug, for instance hypertension, irregular heartbeat, or considerable mass addition."

Individuals may additionally contemplate talking with your doctor concerning any lack of substantial enhancement in depression-related or anxiety symptoms following an sufficient trial period. An appropriate testing period is generally 4–8 weeks at a treatment dose.

Individual choice is furthermore crucial. Some people may choose to avoid specific adverse reactions, such as sexual problems or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition