Antidepressant Unwanted Effects Including Body Weight, Blood Pressure Changes Differ by Drug

• A large new investigation discovered that the adverse reactions of antidepressants differ considerably by drug.
• Some medications led to decreased mass, while different drugs caused weight gain.
• Pulse rate and arterial pressure furthermore differed significantly between medications.
• Those experiencing ongoing, serious, or worrisome side effects must speak with a healthcare professional.

Latest studies has found that antidepressant medication adverse reactions may be more extensive than once assumed.

The large-scale research, released on October 21, assessed the impact of antidepressant drugs on in excess of 58,000 participants within the initial two months of starting therapy.

The researchers studied 151 research projects of 30 medications typically prescribed to treat depression. While not every patient encounters side effects, several of the most prevalent recorded in the investigation were changes in body weight, BP, and metabolic markers.

The study revealed striking disparities across antidepressant medications. For instance, an two-month treatment period of agomelatine was connected with an mean decrease in mass of approximately 2.4 kg (approximately 5.3 lbs), while another drug patients added nearly 2 kg in the same duration.

Additionally, notable variations in cardiac function: one antidepressant was likely to reduce pulse rate, in contrast nortriptyline elevated it, producing a gap of approximately 21 BPM among the two medications. BP fluctuated also, with an 11 mmHg disparity observed between nortriptyline and another medication.

Medical specialists commented that the study's conclusions are not considered novel or surprising to psychiatrists.

"We've long known that different antidepressants vary in their impacts on body weight, blood pressure, and further metabolic measures," one expert stated.

"Nevertheless, what is significant about this investigation is the thorough, relative assessment of these variations among a broad spectrum of physiological parameters employing data from more than 58,000 individuals," this professional noted.

This investigation provides comprehensive evidence of the magnitude of adverse reactions, several of which are more frequent than others. Common depression drug side effects may comprise:

• stomach problems (queasiness, diarrhea, blockage)
• sexual problems (lowered desire, inability to orgasm)
• weight changes (increase or decrease, based on the medication)
• sleep problems (sleeplessness or sedation)
• oral dehydration, moisture, migraine

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

• increases in arterial pressure or heart rate (particularly with SNRIs and some tricyclics)
• reduced blood sodium (especially in elderly individuals, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• increased liver enzymes
• Corrected QT interval extension (potential of arrhythmia, notably with one medication and some tricyclics)
• emotional blunting or indifference

"One thing to consider in this context is that there are several different classes of antidepressant medications, which lead to the varying negative pharmaceutical side effects," a different specialist commented.

"Furthermore, antidepressant drugs can affect each person distinctly, and negative effects can range based on the particular medication, dose, and individual factors like body chemistry or co-occurring conditions."

Although certain side effects, including fluctuations in sleep, hunger, or stamina, are quite typical and often enhance over time, others may be less typical or longer-lasting.

Antidepressant medication unwanted effects may range in severity, which could require a modification in your treatment.

"A adjustment in antidepressant may be appropriate if the patient suffers persistent or unacceptable unwanted effects that do not improve with time or supportive care," a professional commented.

"Additionally, if there is an emergence of recently developed medical conditions that may be worsened by the existing drug, for instance high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythm, or significant weight gain."

Individuals may also think about consulting with your doctor about any deficiency of substantial improvement in depressive or anxiety signs following an sufficient testing period. The adequate evaluation duration is generally 4–8 weeks' time at a treatment dosage.

Individual preference is furthermore significant. Certain individuals may choose to evade certain adverse reactions, including sexual problems or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition