Antidepressant Medication Unwanted Effects Including Body Weight, BP Fluctuations Vary by Drug

• An comprehensive latest investigation discovered that the adverse reactions of antidepressant medications range significantly by drug.
• Certain drugs caused reduced body weight, while different drugs caused added mass.
• Pulse rate and arterial pressure furthermore varied significantly among treatments.
• Individuals encountering continuing, severe, or worrisome side effects should consult a healthcare professional.

Latest research has discovered that depression drug adverse reactions may be more varied than once assumed.

The extensive study, published on October 21, examined the influence of depression treatments on over 58,000 subjects within the beginning two months of beginning treatment.

These researchers studied 151 investigations of 30 pharmaceuticals commonly prescribed to treat major depression. While not every patient experiences side effects, certain of the most prevalent observed in the research were fluctuations in weight, arterial pressure, and metabolic parameters.

There were notable differences between antidepressant medications. For example, an eight-week course of agomelatine was connected with an typical decrease in mass of about 2.4 kilos (about 5.3 pounds), whereas another drug users added close to 2 kg in the same period.

Furthermore, marked variations in cardiac function: fluvoxamine often would slow pulse rate, whereas another medication elevated it, causing a gap of about 21 heartbeats per minute among the two medications. Arterial pressure varied too, with an 11 millimeters of mercury disparity seen among nortriptyline and doxepin.

Clinical experts observed that the investigation's conclusions are not novel or unexpected to psychiatric specialists.

"Clinicians have long recognized that various depression drugs differ in their effects on weight, blood pressure, and additional metabolic indicators," one expert explained.

"However, what is significant about this study is the thorough, comparative quantification of these differences among a extensive array of physical indicators using information from in excess of 58,000 participants," this specialist noted.

The study provides comprehensive proof of the magnitude of unwanted effects, some of which are more prevalent than other effects. Common antidepressant medication unwanted effects may comprise:

• stomach problems (nausea, loose stools, irregularity)
• sexual problems (decreased libido, orgasmic dysfunction)
• body weight fluctuations (increase or decrease, according to the agent)
• sleep disturbances (insomnia or sleepiness)
• oral dehydration, moisture, migraine

At the same time, less common but therapeutically relevant side effects may comprise:

• increases in blood pressure or cardiac rhythm (notably with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and certain tricyclics)
• reduced blood sodium (especially in older adults, with SSRIs and SNRIs)
• increased liver enzymes
• Corrected QT interval extension (potential of abnormal heart rhythm, especially with one medication and some tricyclics)
• diminished feelings or lack of interest

"A key factor to note here is that there are several different types of antidepressants, which result in the different adverse medication reactions," a different specialist commented.

"Moreover, antidepressant drugs can influence each person distinctly, and unwanted side effects can differ based on the specific medication, dose, and personal elements such as body chemistry or comorbidities."

Although some unwanted effects, such as changes in rest, appetite, or stamina, are quite frequent and often get better with time, different reactions may be less frequent or more persistent.

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

"An adjustment in antidepressant may be appropriate if the individual experiences persistent or unacceptable adverse reactions that don't get better with time or supportive care," a specialist commented.

"Moreover, if there is an development of new medical conditions that may be aggravated by the existing drug, for instance high blood pressure, arrhythmia, or significant increased body weight."

You may furthermore contemplate consulting with your healthcare provider about any lack of meaningful progress in depressive or worry signs following an appropriate trial period. An appropriate evaluation duration is usually 4–8 weeks' time at a therapeutic dose.

Personal inclination is additionally crucial. Some patients may want to evade certain adverse reactions, including intimacy issues or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition