Depression Drug Side Effects Such as Body Weight, BP Fluctuations Differ by Drug

• An extensive recent investigation determined that the adverse reactions of antidepressants vary significantly by drug.
• Some medications led to reduced body weight, whereas other medications caused added mass.
• Heart rate and BP additionally varied notably among drugs.
• Those experiencing continuing, serious, or concerning adverse reactions should speak with a medical provider.

New research has revealed that depression drug side effects may be more extensive than earlier believed.

The comprehensive research, published on the 21st of October, analyzed the influence of antidepressant drugs on more than 58,000 individuals within the beginning eight weeks of beginning treatment.

These scientists examined 151 investigations of 30 pharmaceuticals frequently used to manage depression. Although not everyone encounters adverse reactions, some of the most frequent noted in the research were variations in weight, BP, and metabolic parameters.

The study revealed notable differences across antidepressant medications. For instance, an two-month treatment period of agomelatine was connected with an typical weight loss of approximately 2.4 kg (roughly 5.3 pounds), while another drug patients gained close to 2 kg in the same period.

There were also, marked changes in heart function: fluvoxamine was likely to decrease pulse rate, whereas nortriptyline raised it, causing a gap of about 21 heartbeats per minute among the both treatments. BP differed also, with an 11 mmHg variation noted among one drug and another medication.

Clinical experts observed that the research's conclusions aren't recent or startling to psychiatric specialists.

"We've long known that different depression drugs differ in their influences on weight, arterial pressure, and other metabolic measures," one expert stated.

"However, what is notable about this research is the comprehensive, comparative assessment of these disparities among a broad range of physiological parameters utilizing findings from more than 58,000 individuals," the professional noted.

This investigation provides strong support of the degree of unwanted effects, several of which are more common than different reactions. Common antidepressant medication unwanted effects may encompass:

• stomach problems (queasiness, diarrhea, irregularity)
• sexual problems (reduced sex drive, anorgasmia)
• mass variations (addition or reduction, according to the agent)
• rest issues (inability to sleep or drowsiness)
• dry mouth, moisture, headache

Meanwhile, rarer but therapeutically relevant side effects may comprise:

• increases in blood pressure or pulse rate (especially with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
• low sodium (especially in older adults, with SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• elevated hepatic parameters
• Corrected QT interval prolongation (risk of abnormal heart rhythm, notably with citalopram and certain tricyclics)
• diminished feelings or lack of interest

"A key factor to remember regarding this matter is that there are multiple distinct classes of antidepressant medications, which lead to the distinct negative pharmaceutical reactions," a different specialist commented.

"Furthermore, antidepressant drugs can affect each patient distinctly, and unwanted side effects can differ depending on the specific pharmaceutical, dosage, and patient elements like metabolism or simultaneous health issues."

While certain side effects, like changes in rest, hunger, or energy levels, are reasonably common and commonly enhance over time, different reactions may be less frequent or continuing.

Antidepressant medication unwanted effects may range in seriousness, which could justify a change in your drug.

"An change in depression drug may be appropriate if the patient suffers ongoing or unacceptable unwanted effects that do not improve with passing days or management strategies," a expert stated.

"Additionally, if there is an development of new medical issues that may be exacerbated by the present medication, for example hypertension, irregular heartbeat, or considerable weight gain."

You may also contemplate speaking with your healthcare provider concerning any absence of meaningful enhancement in depression-related or worry signs following an appropriate evaluation duration. The sufficient trial period is usually 4–8 weeks duration at a treatment dose.

Patient inclination is furthermore important. Certain people may prefer to evade particular unwanted effects, such as sexual dysfunction or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition