Antidepressant Adverse Reactions Like Body Weight, Blood Pressure Fluctuations Differ by Drug

• A comprehensive new investigation discovered that the side effects of antidepressants range considerably by drug.
• Certain medications resulted in decreased mass, whereas different drugs resulted in increased body weight.
• Heart rate and BP additionally varied significantly between treatments.
• Patients suffering from ongoing, intense, or worrisome unwanted effects should discuss with a healthcare professional.

New investigations has revealed that antidepressant medication side effects may be more extensive than previously thought.

This large-scale research, published on October 21, examined the influence of antidepressant medications on over 58,000 individuals within the initial eight weeks of commencing therapy.

The scientists examined 151 studies of 30 pharmaceuticals commonly prescribed to treat clinical depression. Although not all individuals encounters adverse reactions, some of the most common observed in the study were variations in body weight, arterial pressure, and metabolic markers.

There were notable variations across antidepressant drugs. For example, an two-month regimen of agomelatine was associated with an typical weight loss of approximately 2.4 kilos (about 5.3 pounds), whereas maprotiline users added almost 2 kg in the equivalent duration.

Furthermore, significant changes in cardiac function: one antidepressant was likely to decrease heart rate, whereas another medication increased it, creating a difference of about 21 BPM among the two medications. Arterial pressure fluctuated too, with an 11 millimeters of mercury difference seen between one drug and another medication.

Healthcare specialists observed that the investigation's results are not considered novel or startling to psychiatric specialists.

"Clinicians have long recognized that different antidepressant medications vary in their influences on weight, blood pressure, and additional metabolic parameters," one specialist commented.

"Nevertheless, what is notable about this study is the thorough, relative measurement of these differences throughout a extensive range of bodily measurements using information from more than 58,000 subjects," the expert added.

The investigation offers strong support of the extent of side effects, some of which are more common than different reactions. Typical depression drug side effects may encompass:

• digestive issues (nausea, bowel issues, constipation)
• sexual dysfunction (reduced sex drive, inability to orgasm)
• weight changes (addition or loss, according to the agent)
• sleep problems (insomnia or sleepiness)
• mouth dryness, sweating, headache

Additionally, rarer but medically important unwanted effects may encompass:

• elevations in arterial pressure or cardiac rhythm (notably with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and certain tricyclics)
• hyponatremia (notably in senior patients, with SSRIs and SNRIs)
• liver enzyme elevations
• QTc prolongation (potential of irregular heartbeat, particularly with citalopram and certain tricyclics)
• diminished feelings or apathy

"A key factor to note here is that there are several varying categories of depression drugs, which lead to the varying negative drug reactions," another specialist stated.

"Moreover, depression treatments can influence every individual distinctly, and negative reactions can differ according to the particular drug, dosage, and patient factors such as metabolism or comorbidities."

While some side effects, including variations in sleep, appetite, or energy levels, are quite common and frequently get better as time passes, others may be less common or more persistent.

Antidepressant side effects may range in intensity, which could require a adjustment in your drug.

"A adjustment in antidepressant may be necessary if the patient experiences continuing or unacceptable adverse reactions that do not improve with time or supportive measures," one specialist said.

"Additionally, if there is an appearance of recent medical conditions that may be worsened by the existing treatment, for instance hypertension, irregular heartbeat, or considerable weight gain."

You may also consider talking with your doctor concerning any lack of meaningful progress in low mood or anxiety indicators following an sufficient evaluation duration. An appropriate trial period is usually 4–8 weeks duration at a treatment dosage.

Personal inclination is also important. Some patients may prefer to evade certain side effects, including sexual dysfunction or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition