Antidepressant Medication Unwanted Effects Including Body Weight, Blood Pressure Variations Vary by Drug

• A comprehensive recent research discovered that the side effects of antidepressant medications vary considerably by drug.
• Certain pharmaceuticals led to reduced body weight, whereas others resulted in weight gain.
• Cardiac rhythm and blood pressure also varied notably across drugs.
• Individuals encountering persistent, intense, or troubling side effects must speak with a medical provider.

New studies has found that antidepressant medication unwanted effects may be more varied than earlier believed.

This large-scale research, issued on the 21st of October, examined the impact of depression treatments on more than 58,000 subjects within the first 60 days of beginning treatment.

The researchers examined 151 research projects of 30 pharmaceuticals commonly employed to manage major depression. Although not every patient experiences unwanted effects, several of the most frequent recorded in the investigation were changes in body weight, BP, and metabolic indicators.

The study revealed notable differences across antidepressant drugs. For example, an two-month regimen of agomelatine was connected with an average decrease in mass of about 2.4 kilograms (approximately 5.3 lbs), while another drug patients gained close to 2 kg in the equivalent timeframe.

Additionally, marked fluctuations in cardiovascular activity: fluvoxamine often would reduce cardiac rhythm, whereas nortriptyline elevated it, producing a difference of approximately 21 heartbeats per minute across the two medications. BP fluctuated also, with an 11 mmHg difference noted between one drug and doxepin.

Medical professionals noted that the study's conclusions are not considered novel or startling to psychiatrists.

"We've long known that various antidepressants range in their impacts on weight, arterial pressure, and further metabolic parameters," a specialist commented.

"Nevertheless, what is remarkable about this study is the thorough, comparison-based assessment of these variations throughout a wide spectrum of physical indicators using data from over 58,000 individuals," the expert commented.

This investigation offers robust support of the degree of adverse reactions, certain of which are more frequent than different reactions. Typical antidepressant medication adverse reactions may encompass:

• stomach problems (queasiness, diarrhea, blockage)
• sexual problems (decreased libido, anorgasmia)
• weight changes (addition or loss, according to the medication)
• sleep problems (inability to sleep or sleepiness)
• oral dehydration, sweating, headache

Meanwhile, less frequent but therapeutically relevant unwanted effects may comprise:

• elevations in arterial pressure or heart rate (particularly with SNRIs and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
• low sodium (particularly in older adults, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and SNRIs)
• liver enzyme elevations
• QTc prolongation (risk of irregular heartbeat, especially with one medication and some tricyclic antidepressants)
• emotional blunting or indifference

"A key factor to remember regarding this matter is that there are various different types of depression drugs, which lead to the varying negative pharmaceutical reactions," a different expert commented.

"Moreover, antidepressant drugs can impact each person differently, and unwanted reactions can vary depending on the specific drug, dosage, and individual considerations such as body chemistry or comorbidities."

While several adverse reactions, including changes in rest, hunger, or energy levels, are reasonably common and commonly enhance over time, different reactions may be less typical or continuing.

Antidepressant medication unwanted effects may range in severity, which could justify a modification in your drug.

"An adjustment in antidepressant may be necessary if the patient suffers ongoing or intolerable unwanted effects that don't get better with duration or supportive care," a expert commented.

"Moreover, if there is an emergence of recent medical issues that may be worsened by the current drug, for example elevated BP, abnormal heart rhythm, or significant mass addition."

You may furthermore consider consulting with your physician about any lack of significant improvement in depressive or worry symptoms following an adequate trial period. The adequate trial period is usually 4–8 weeks' time at a effective dose.

Personal choice is also significant. Some patients may choose to avoid particular side effects, like sexual problems or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition