Antidepressant Side Effects Like Body Weight, Blood Pressure Fluctuations Vary by Drug

• A large latest research determined that the side effects of depression drugs range substantially by drug.
• Certain medications caused reduced body weight, whereas other medications caused increased body weight.
• Cardiac rhythm and BP also differed notably between medications.
• Individuals experiencing continuing, severe, or troubling side effects should discuss with a physician.

New studies has revealed that antidepressant adverse reactions may be more varied than earlier believed.

This large-scale investigation, published on October 21, examined the effect of depression treatments on over 58,000 individuals within the beginning two months of commencing medication.

The investigators examined 151 investigations of 30 drugs commonly prescribed to address clinical depression. Although not every patient develops side effects, some of the most common noted in the study were fluctuations in weight, arterial pressure, and metabolic markers.

There were notable variations between antidepressant drugs. For example, an 60-day regimen of agomelatine was associated with an average weight loss of around 2.4 kilograms (roughly 5.3 pounds), whereas another drug patients added close to 2 kg in the equivalent duration.

There were also, significant changes in cardiovascular activity: one antidepressant tended to reduce heart rate, in contrast nortriptyline elevated it, causing a disparity of about 21 heartbeats per minute between the both treatments. Arterial pressure differed as well, with an 11 mmHg variation observed among nortriptyline and another medication.

Medical experts observed that the research's results are not recent or unexpected to psychiatrists.

"We've long known that different antidepressants differ in their impacts on weight, arterial pressure, and other metabolic indicators," one specialist explained.

"Nevertheless, what is significant about this investigation is the comprehensive, comparison-based quantification of these variations among a wide spectrum of physical indicators using findings from more than 58,000 individuals," this specialist added.

This research delivers comprehensive evidence of the magnitude of adverse reactions, several of which are more common than others. Typical depression drug unwanted effects may include:

• stomach problems (queasiness, loose stools, irregularity)
• sexual problems (reduced sex drive, orgasmic dysfunction)
• mass variations (addition or loss, according to the agent)
• sleep disturbances (insomnia or sleepiness)
• oral dehydration, sweating, head pain

Additionally, rarer but therapeutically relevant side effects may comprise:

• elevations in BP or heart rate (particularly with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
• reduced blood sodium (notably in senior patients, with SSRIs and SNRIs)
• increased liver enzymes
• QTc extension (chance of abnormal heart rhythm, especially with one medication and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
• reduced emotions or indifference

"An important point to remember in this context is that there are multiple distinct categories of antidepressant medications, which contribute to the distinct negative pharmaceutical effects," a different professional stated.

"Moreover, antidepressant drugs can impact each person differently, and negative reactions can differ depending on the specific pharmaceutical, dose, and patient factors including body chemistry or comorbidities."

Although several adverse reactions, such as changes in rest, hunger, or vitality, are quite common and commonly enhance as time passes, others may be less frequent or longer-lasting.

Depression drug unwanted effects may range in severity, which could warrant a change in your medication.

"An adjustment in depression drug may be warranted if the person suffers persistent or intolerable adverse reactions that don't get better with duration or management strategies," one professional commented.

"Furthermore, if there is an development of new health problems that may be worsened by the current medication, such as elevated BP, abnormal heart rhythm, or considerable weight gain."

Patients may additionally think about consulting with your doctor about any deficiency of meaningful improvement in depression-related or anxiety symptoms subsequent to an adequate evaluation duration. The adequate trial period is usually 4–8 weeks' time at a treatment amount.

Individual inclination is additionally important. Certain people may prefer to avoid particular side effects, like sexual dysfunction or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition