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

• A comprehensive new research discovered that the adverse reactions of depression drugs differ considerably by drug.
• Certain pharmaceuticals caused weight loss, whereas others caused added mass.
• Cardiac rhythm and arterial pressure additionally diverged significantly among drugs.
• Patients encountering persistent, serious, or concerning unwanted effects ought to speak with a healthcare professional.

New investigations has found that depression drug side effects may be more diverse than previously thought.

This large-scale research, published on the 21st of October, analyzed the impact of antidepressant drugs on more than 58,000 participants within the beginning 60 days of starting treatment.

These investigators examined 151 investigations of 30 drugs commonly used to manage major depression. While not everyone encounters adverse reactions, certain of the most frequent recorded in the study were variations in weight, BP, and metabolic markers.

The study revealed significant variations across antidepressant drugs. For example, an eight-week treatment period of agomelatine was associated with an mean reduction in body weight of about 2.4 kilograms (roughly 5.3 lbs), while another drug patients gained close to 2 kg in the identical duration.

Additionally, notable changes in cardiac function: fluvoxamine often would decrease cardiac rhythm, while nortriptyline elevated it, causing a difference of about 21 beats per minute among the two drugs. Arterial pressure varied too, with an 11 mmHg variation seen among one drug and another medication.

Healthcare specialists observed that the study's findings are not novel or surprising to psychiatric specialists.

"Clinicians have long recognized that different antidepressants range in their effects on body weight, arterial pressure, and other metabolic parameters," a expert explained.

"However, what is significant about this study is the rigorous, comparison-based measurement of these disparities across a broad array of physical indicators employing information from over 58,000 participants," the specialist added.

This study provides robust proof of the degree of side effects, several of which are more prevalent than others. Typical antidepressant medication unwanted effects may encompass:

• gastrointestinal symptoms (queasiness, bowel issues, constipation)
• sexual dysfunction (decreased libido, anorgasmia)
• body weight fluctuations (increase or decrease, according to the agent)
• sleep disturbances (insomnia or sedation)
• dry mouth, moisture, head pain

Meanwhile, rarer but medically important unwanted effects may encompass:

• increases in arterial pressure or pulse rate (especially with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and some tricyclic antidepressants)
• hyponatremia (especially in elderly individuals, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and SNRIs)
• elevated hepatic parameters
• Corrected QT interval lengthening (potential of irregular heartbeat, especially with one medication and certain tricyclics)
• reduced emotions or indifference

"One thing to remember in this context is that there are multiple different types of antidepressants, which result in the different unwanted drug side effects," a different professional commented.

"Furthermore, antidepressant medications can influence every individual distinctly, and negative reactions can vary according to the particular medication, dose, and patient considerations such as metabolic rate or simultaneous health issues."

Although certain unwanted effects, such as changes in sleep, hunger, or vitality, are reasonably common and frequently enhance over time, different reactions may be less common or more persistent.

Depression drug unwanted effects may range in seriousness, which could warrant a adjustment in your medication.

"A change in antidepressant may be necessary if the individual suffers continuing or intolerable adverse reactions that fail to enhance with duration or supportive measures," a specialist commented.

"Moreover, if there is an emergence of recently developed medical issues that may be exacerbated by the present medication, for instance high blood pressure, arrhythmia, or significant weight gain."

Individuals may additionally contemplate talking with your doctor about any lack of meaningful enhancement in depressive or anxiety signs following an sufficient trial period. An adequate testing period is generally 4–8 weeks at a treatment dosage.

Individual preference is additionally significant. Some individuals may prefer to avoid specific adverse reactions, such as sexual problems or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition