Antidepressant Medication Side Effects Including Body Weight, BP Changes Vary by Drug

• An extensive new research determined that the side effects of depression drugs vary considerably by drug.
• Some medications caused reduced body weight, while others caused added mass.
• Cardiac rhythm and arterial pressure also varied significantly between medications.
• Those suffering from continuing, severe, or troubling side effects should discuss with a healthcare professional.

Recent research has revealed that depression drug unwanted effects may be more extensive than once assumed.

This comprehensive research, published on October 21st, analyzed the effect of depression treatments on in excess of 58,000 individuals within the initial two months of beginning treatment.

These scientists analyzed 151 studies of 30 pharmaceuticals commonly used to manage major depression. Although not all individuals encounters side effects, some of the most prevalent observed in the study were fluctuations in weight, BP, and metabolic markers.

Researchers observed striking variations among antidepressant drugs. For example, an 60-day treatment period of agomelatine was associated with an mean decrease in mass of around 2.4 kilograms (approximately 5.3 lbs), while another drug users gained close to 2 kg in the identical period.

There were also, marked changes in heart function: one antidepressant tended to reduce pulse rate, while another medication increased it, causing a gap of around 21 heartbeats per minute across the two medications. Arterial pressure differed too, with an 11 millimeters of mercury difference seen between nortriptyline and doxepin.

Clinical specialists observed that the investigation's findings are not considered new or unexpected to psychiatrists.

"Clinicians have long recognized that different depression drugs differ in their influences on body weight, blood pressure, and additional metabolic measures," a specialist stated.

"Nevertheless, what is significant about this research is the comprehensive, comparison-based quantification of these disparities throughout a broad array of bodily measurements utilizing findings from over 58,000 participants," this specialist noted.

This investigation offers comprehensive support of the magnitude of side effects, certain of which are more frequent than others. Frequent antidepressant unwanted effects may encompass:

• stomach problems (nausea, loose stools, blockage)
• sexual dysfunction (decreased libido, anorgasmia)
• body weight fluctuations (increase or reduction, according to the medication)
• sleep disturbances (insomnia or sedation)
• oral dehydration, sweating, headache

At the same time, less frequent but therapeutically relevant adverse reactions may comprise:

• rises in BP or heart rate (particularly with SNRIs and some tricyclics)
• reduced blood sodium (particularly in elderly individuals, with SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• liver enzyme elevations
• QTc extension (chance of arrhythmia, particularly with citalopram and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
• reduced emotions or indifference

"An important point to consider here is that there are multiple varying categories of depression drugs, which contribute to the different adverse drug effects," a different specialist stated.

"Furthermore, antidepressant medications can influence every individual differently, and negative effects can vary depending on the specific pharmaceutical, dose, and personal considerations like metabolic rate or co-occurring conditions."

Although several adverse reactions, including fluctuations in rest, appetite, or vitality, are fairly typical and frequently get better as time passes, other effects may be less common or longer-lasting.

Antidepressant medication adverse reactions may range in severity, which could require a modification in your treatment.

"A modification in antidepressant may be warranted if the individual encounters continuing or unacceptable side effects that do not improve with time or supportive care," a specialist said.

"Furthermore, if there is an development of new medical issues that may be exacerbated by the present treatment, for instance high blood pressure, arrhythmia, or significant weight gain."

Individuals may additionally contemplate talking with your doctor concerning any deficiency of meaningful progress in depression-related or anxiety symptoms following an adequate evaluation duration. The appropriate testing period is usually 4–8 weeks duration at a therapeutic amount.

Individual choice is also important. Some people may choose to avoid specific adverse reactions, such as sexual dysfunction or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition