Antidepressant Medication Side Effects Like Weight, BP Variations Differ Depending on Medication

• An extensive new research found that the unwanted effects of depression drugs differ considerably by drug.
• Some medications led to weight loss, while others resulted in weight gain.
• Heart rate and blood pressure furthermore diverged markedly between medications.
• Patients encountering persistent, intense, or concerning unwanted effects should discuss with a physician.

Latest investigations has discovered that antidepressant adverse reactions may be more diverse than once assumed.

This comprehensive study, published on the 21st of October, examined the influence of antidepressant drugs on in excess of 58,000 subjects within the beginning 60 days of commencing therapy.

These researchers analyzed 151 investigations of 30 drugs frequently employed to address clinical depression. Although not all individuals experiences unwanted effects, some of the most frequent noted in the investigation were changes in body weight, blood pressure, and metabolic markers.

The study revealed significant disparities across depression treatments. As an illustration, an two-month regimen of agomelatine was associated with an average reduction in body weight of around 2.4 kg (roughly 5.3 lbs), whereas another drug individuals gained nearly 2 kg in the identical duration.

Additionally, notable variations in heart function: fluvoxamine was likely to slow heart rate, in contrast another medication raised it, producing a disparity of about 21 heartbeats per minute across the two medications. BP differed as well, with an 11 millimeters of mercury difference noted between nortriptyline and another medication.

Medical specialists noted that the investigation's findings are not considered novel or unexpected to psychiatric specialists.

"We've long known that distinct antidepressant medications range in their impacts on body weight, blood pressure, and further metabolic measures," one expert stated.

"Nevertheless, what is significant about this study is the thorough, comparison-based quantification of these variations throughout a wide spectrum of bodily measurements utilizing findings from in excess of 58,000 individuals," the specialist commented.

This investigation offers strong evidence of the degree of unwanted effects, some of which are more prevalent than other effects. Frequent antidepressant medication unwanted effects may include:

• stomach problems (queasiness, bowel issues, blockage)
• sexual problems (lowered desire, anorgasmia)
• body weight fluctuations (increase or loss, according to the agent)
• sleep disturbances (inability to sleep or sleepiness)
• dry mouth, moisture, headache

Meanwhile, rarer but clinically significant side effects may comprise:

• elevations in BP or cardiac rhythm (particularly with SNRIs and some tricyclics)
• hyponatremia (particularly in elderly individuals, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• liver enzyme elevations
• QTc lengthening (potential of abnormal heart rhythm, especially with one medication and some tricyclic antidepressants)
• reduced emotions or lack of interest

"One thing to note regarding this matter is that there are multiple varying classes of depression drugs, which result in the distinct adverse pharmaceutical effects," another professional commented.

"Moreover, depression treatments can influence each patient variably, and adverse reactions can vary according to the particular pharmaceutical, amount, and patient factors including metabolism or co-occurring conditions."

While some unwanted effects, such as variations in sleep, hunger, or energy levels, are reasonably typical and often improve over time, others may be less common or longer-lasting.

Antidepressant medication adverse reactions may range in intensity, which could justify a modification in your treatment.

"An change in depression drug may be warranted if the patient experiences ongoing or intolerable side effects that fail to enhance with passing days or supportive care," one professional said.

"Moreover, if there is an development of recent health problems that may be aggravated by the present medication, for example elevated BP, arrhythmia, or significant increased body weight."

Patients may furthermore contemplate speaking with your doctor about any lack of substantial improvement in depression-related or anxiety signs following an appropriate trial period. An appropriate trial period is typically 4–8 weeks at a treatment dose.

Patient preference is additionally important. Certain individuals may choose to evade certain adverse reactions, including intimacy issues or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition