Antidepressant Medication Side Effects Such as Body Weight, BP Fluctuations Vary by Drug

• A comprehensive recent investigation determined that the side effects of antidepressants differ substantially by drug.
• Certain medications resulted in reduced body weight, while different drugs led to weight gain.
• Heart rate and BP additionally varied notably between drugs.
• Those experiencing ongoing, intense, or worrisome adverse reactions must speak with a medical provider.

Latest research has revealed that depression drug side effects may be more diverse than once assumed.

This extensive study, issued on the 21st of October, examined the influence of depression treatments on in excess of 58,000 participants within the beginning eight weeks of beginning therapy.

The scientists examined 151 investigations of 30 drugs typically used to manage depression. While not every patient encounters unwanted effects, certain of the most prevalent noted in the research were fluctuations in weight, arterial pressure, and metabolic parameters.

The study revealed striking differences between depression treatments. As an illustration, an eight-week course of agomelatine was connected with an typical reduction in body weight of approximately 2.4 kilos (about 5.3 pounds), while another drug users gained close to 2 kg in the identical timeframe.

Additionally, notable fluctuations in cardiovascular activity: one antidepressant was likely to reduce heart rate, whereas another medication increased it, creating a gap of about 21 heartbeats per minute across the two drugs. Arterial pressure differed too, with an 11 mmHg disparity noted among nortriptyline and another medication.

Medical specialists commented that the research's conclusions aren't recent or unexpected to psychiatric specialists.

"It has long been understood that various depression drugs differ in their impacts on weight, arterial pressure, and other metabolic measures," a specialist explained.

"However, what is significant about this study is the thorough, relative quantification of these differences across a wide spectrum of physical indicators using findings from more than 58,000 subjects," this expert added.

The research provides comprehensive proof of the extent of side effects, some of which are more common than different reactions. Common antidepressant medication unwanted effects may comprise:

• digestive issues (nausea, diarrhea, irregularity)
• intimacy issues (reduced sex drive, orgasmic dysfunction)
• mass variations (addition or decrease, based on the drug)
• sleep disturbances (sleeplessness or drowsiness)
• mouth dryness, sweating, headache

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

• increases in blood pressure or pulse rate (especially with SNRIs and certain tricyclics)
• hyponatremia (notably in senior patients, with SSRIs and SNRIs)
• elevated hepatic parameters
• Corrected QT interval extension (risk of irregular heartbeat, notably with one medication and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
• emotional blunting or lack of interest

"A key factor to note here is that there are multiple different classes of depression drugs, which contribute to the distinct unwanted drug side effects," another expert commented.

"Furthermore, antidepressant medications can influence each patient distinctly, and adverse reactions can vary based on the specific pharmaceutical, amount, and patient elements including metabolism or simultaneous health issues."

While some side effects, like variations in rest, hunger, or stamina, are fairly typical and commonly improve over time, different reactions may be less frequent or longer-lasting.

Depression drug side effects may differ in severity, which could warrant a change in your drug.

"A modification in depression drug may be necessary if the patient suffers persistent or intolerable adverse reactions that do not improve with passing days or management strategies," one specialist said.

"Moreover, if there is an emergence of recent medical conditions that may be worsened by the current treatment, for instance hypertension, arrhythmia, or significant increased body weight."

Individuals may also contemplate speaking with your doctor regarding any absence of meaningful progress in depressive or worry indicators after an sufficient testing period. An sufficient trial period is usually 4–8 weeks' time at a treatment amount.

Patient choice is additionally crucial. Certain patients may choose to evade particular side effects, like sexual problems or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition