Depression Drug Adverse Reactions Like Body Weight, Blood Pressure Fluctuations Range Depending on Medication

• An comprehensive new investigation found that the unwanted effects of antidepressants vary substantially by drug.
• Certain pharmaceuticals caused decreased mass, while different drugs led to added mass.
• Heart rate and BP additionally varied significantly among treatments.
• Those experiencing continuing, serious, or troubling side effects should speak with a medical provider.

Latest research has found that antidepressant unwanted effects may be more diverse than previously thought.

The comprehensive investigation, released on October 21st, examined the impact of antidepressant drugs on over 58,000 individuals within the first 60 days of beginning treatment.

These investigators studied 151 investigations of 30 pharmaceuticals frequently prescribed to treat depression. Although not every patient encounters side effects, certain of the most common noted in the research were fluctuations in weight, blood pressure, and metabolic indicators.

There were notable variations among antidepressant drugs. As an illustration, an 60-day course of agomelatine was connected with an mean reduction in body weight of around 2.4 kilograms (roughly 5.3 lbs), while maprotiline patients increased nearly 2 kg in the same duration.

Additionally, notable variations in cardiac function: fluvoxamine tended to reduce cardiac rhythm, whereas nortriptyline increased it, creating a difference of around 21 beats per minute across the two drugs. Blood pressure varied too, with an 11 mmHg difference seen across one drug and doxepin.

Medical experts observed that the study's conclusions are not considered recent or unexpected to mental health professionals.

"We've long known that various antidepressant medications vary in their influences on weight, BP, and further metabolic measures," a specialist stated.

"Nonetheless, what is remarkable about this investigation is the thorough, relative quantification of these variations throughout a wide array of physiological parameters employing information from more than 58,000 subjects," the specialist noted.

The investigation provides robust support of the magnitude of side effects, several of which are more frequent than different reactions. Frequent antidepressant unwanted effects may comprise:

• gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, loose stools, irregularity)
• sexual dysfunction (decreased libido, orgasmic dysfunction)
• body weight fluctuations (increase or decrease, depending on the agent)
• rest issues (inability to sleep or sedation)
• dry mouth, sweating, migraine

At the same time, less frequent but clinically significant side effects may comprise:

• elevations in blood pressure or cardiac rhythm (particularly with SNRIs and certain tricyclics)
• reduced blood sodium (especially in older adults, with SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• elevated hepatic parameters
• Corrected QT interval extension (risk of irregular heartbeat, especially with one medication and some tricyclics)
• reduced emotions or indifference

"An important point to remember regarding this matter is that there are multiple distinct types of antidepressant medications, which result in the varying adverse pharmaceutical effects," a different expert explained.

"Additionally, depression treatments can influence each patient differently, and adverse reactions can differ based on the exact drug, dosage, and personal elements such as metabolic rate or simultaneous health issues."

Although some adverse reactions, like variations in sleep, hunger, or vitality, are quite typical and often enhance as time passes, others may be less frequent or more persistent.

Antidepressant side effects may vary in intensity, which could require a modification in your treatment.

"An change in antidepressant may be necessary if the individual encounters ongoing or unbearable adverse reactions that fail to enhance with duration or management strategies," one expert commented.

"Additionally, if there is an emergence of new health problems that may be aggravated by the current medication, for instance hypertension, irregular heartbeat, or substantial mass addition."

Patients may additionally contemplate speaking with your physician about any absence of meaningful improvement in low mood or anxiety symptoms subsequent to an sufficient evaluation duration. The sufficient evaluation duration is typically 4–8 weeks' time at a effective dose.

Individual choice is also significant. Some people may choose to prevent certain adverse reactions, such as sexual problems or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition