Depression Drug Unwanted Effects Like Body Weight, Blood Pressure Fluctuations Differ Depending on Medication

• A comprehensive recent investigation discovered that the adverse reactions of depression drugs vary substantially by drug.
• Some medications caused weight loss, while others resulted in weight gain.
• Heart rate and arterial pressure additionally differed notably across drugs.
• Patients encountering persistent, severe, or troubling adverse reactions ought to consult a healthcare professional.

New studies has found that antidepressant adverse reactions may be more extensive than earlier believed.

This large-scale research, issued on the 21st of October, analyzed the effect of depression treatments on more than 58,000 participants within the beginning eight weeks of starting treatment.

These investigators studied 151 investigations of 30 medications typically prescribed to address major depression. Although not every patient experiences side effects, several of the most frequent observed in the research were variations in body weight, BP, and metabolic indicators.

There were notable variations between depression treatments. As an illustration, an two-month treatment period of agomelatine was connected with an typical decrease in mass of around 2.4 kg (approximately 5.3 pounds), while another drug users increased close to 2 kg in the equivalent timeframe.

Furthermore, notable changes in cardiovascular activity: fluvoxamine tended to decrease cardiac rhythm, whereas nortriptyline raised it, producing a disparity of approximately 21 heartbeats per minute between the two drugs. Arterial pressure varied also, with an 11 millimeters of mercury difference seen across one drug and another medication.

Medical professionals noted that the study's results aren't new or surprising to psychiatric specialists.

"We've long known that distinct antidepressant medications range in their impacts on body weight, BP, and other metabolic indicators," a professional explained.

"However, what is significant about this study is the thorough, comparison-based quantification of these variations across a broad spectrum of physical indicators using findings from in excess of 58,000 participants," this expert commented.

The study provides strong support of the magnitude of side effects, some of which are more common than other effects. Common antidepressant medication side effects may encompass:

• stomach problems (nausea, bowel issues, constipation)
• sexual problems (lowered desire, orgasmic dysfunction)
• mass variations (addition or decrease, according to the drug)
• sleep disturbances (insomnia or drowsiness)
• dry mouth, moisture, head pain

At the same time, rarer but clinically significant adverse reactions may encompass:

• increases in arterial pressure or pulse rate (particularly with SNRIs and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
• low sodium (especially in senior patients, with SSRIs and SNRIs)
• liver enzyme elevations
• Corrected QT interval extension (chance of arrhythmia, especially with one medication and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
• reduced emotions or lack of interest

"One thing to remember regarding this matter is that there are various different types of antidepressant medications, which contribute to the varying negative medication side effects," another specialist commented.

"Additionally, antidepressant medications can affect each person variably, and adverse side effects can range according to the exact medication, amount, and individual factors like metabolism or co-occurring conditions."

While certain side effects, such as variations in rest, appetite, or stamina, are quite frequent and frequently enhance over time, other effects may be less frequent or continuing.

Antidepressant side effects may differ in seriousness, which could justify a change in your drug.

"An change in antidepressant may be warranted if the individual suffers persistent or unacceptable adverse reactions that fail to enhance with time or supportive care," a specialist commented.

"Additionally, if there is an emergence of new health problems that may be worsened by the present drug, for example elevated BP, arrhythmia, or significant mass addition."

Patients may also contemplate speaking with your doctor concerning any deficiency of meaningful enhancement in low mood or anxiety indicators subsequent to an sufficient testing period. The sufficient testing period is generally 4–8 weeks at a treatment amount.

Personal choice is additionally important. Certain people may want to prevent specific side effects, including sexual dysfunction or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition