Depression Drug Side Effects Like Weight, BP Changes Vary by Drug

• A large recent research discovered that the unwanted effects of antidepressant medications range significantly by drug.
• Some medications caused weight loss, while others caused added mass.
• Cardiac rhythm and arterial pressure additionally varied significantly across treatments.
• Individuals encountering ongoing, serious, or worrisome adverse reactions ought to consult a medical provider.

Recent investigations has revealed that antidepressant medication side effects may be more extensive than once assumed.

The extensive investigation, published on October 21st, analyzed the effect of depression treatments on more than 58,000 subjects within the beginning eight weeks of commencing treatment.

These investigators analyzed 151 studies of 30 pharmaceuticals frequently used to address depression. While not all individuals encounters side effects, some of the most common recorded in the research were changes in body weight, blood pressure, and metabolic parameters.

The study revealed notable disparities among antidepressant drugs. As an illustration, an eight-week regimen of agomelatine was linked to an mean reduction in body weight of about 2.4 kg (approximately 5.3 pounds), while another drug users gained nearly 2 kg in the same timeframe.

Additionally, notable changes in cardiovascular activity: one antidepressant was likely to decrease heart rate, in contrast another medication increased it, causing a difference of around 21 heartbeats per minute between the two medications. BP fluctuated as well, with an 11 millimeters of mercury difference seen across nortriptyline and doxepin.

Medical specialists observed that the study's results are not new or unexpected to psychiatrists.

"It has long been understood that various antidepressant medications vary in their impacts on body weight, blood pressure, and additional metabolic measures," a professional stated.

"Nonetheless, what is notable about this investigation is the comprehensive, comparative assessment of these variations among a broad range of bodily measurements using findings from in excess of 58,000 individuals," the professional commented.

The study provides strong support of the magnitude of side effects, certain of which are more frequent than other effects. Frequent antidepressant unwanted effects may include:

• gastrointestinal symptoms (queasiness, bowel issues, blockage)
• intimacy issues (decreased libido, anorgasmia)
• body weight fluctuations (addition or loss, based on the medication)
• sleep problems (sleeplessness or sleepiness)
• oral dehydration, moisture, head pain

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

• increases in BP or pulse rate (particularly with SNRIs and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
• hyponatremia (particularly in senior patients, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• liver enzyme elevations
• Corrected QT interval extension (potential of abnormal heart rhythm, notably with one medication and some tricyclics)
• reduced emotions or lack of interest

"One thing to consider here is that there are several varying categories of antidepressant medications, which lead to the distinct adverse pharmaceutical reactions," a different expert commented.

"Furthermore, antidepressant drugs can impact each patient variably, and adverse reactions can vary according to the exact drug, dose, and individual considerations like body chemistry or co-occurring conditions."

Although some unwanted effects, such as variations in rest, hunger, or stamina, are quite typical and often get better as time passes, others may be less common or more persistent.

Antidepressant adverse reactions may differ in severity, which could require a adjustment in your medication.

"An change in depression drug may be warranted if the person experiences persistent or intolerable adverse reactions that fail to enhance with duration or supportive care," one expert stated.

"Furthermore, if there is an appearance of recently developed medical conditions that may be worsened by the existing treatment, for example hypertension, irregular heartbeat, or considerable increased body weight."

You may also consider consulting with your physician concerning any lack of significant progress in depression-related or anxiety-related symptoms following an appropriate testing period. The appropriate trial period is typically 4–8 weeks duration at a therapeutic dose.

Individual inclination is also crucial. Certain patients may want to prevent particular adverse reactions, such as intimacy issues or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition