Depression Drug Side Effects Including Weight, Blood Pressure Fluctuations Vary Depending on Medication

• A comprehensive new investigation determined that the adverse reactions of antidepressants differ substantially by drug.
• Certain pharmaceuticals resulted in weight loss, while different drugs caused added mass.
• Heart rate and blood pressure additionally diverged significantly among treatments.
• Individuals suffering from persistent, severe, or troubling side effects must consult a medical provider.

Latest studies has discovered that depression drug adverse reactions may be more extensive than earlier believed.

The comprehensive research, issued on the 21st of October, examined the effect of depression treatments on more than 58,000 participants within the first eight weeks of commencing therapy.

These investigators analyzed 151 research projects of 30 drugs typically used to manage depression. While not every patient develops side effects, some of the most prevalent noted in the study were fluctuations in body weight, arterial pressure, and metabolic parameters.

The study revealed striking disparities among antidepressant drugs. As an illustration, an eight-week regimen of agomelatine was linked to an mean reduction in body weight of around 2.4 kg (roughly 5.3 pounds), whereas maprotiline patients added almost 2 kg in the equivalent timeframe.

Additionally, notable variations in cardiovascular activity: one antidepressant tended to slow pulse rate, whereas another medication elevated it, causing a disparity of approximately 21 heartbeats per minute among the both treatments. BP varied as well, with an 11 millimeters of mercury variation observed between nortriptyline and another medication.

Medical specialists observed that the research's conclusions aren't novel or surprising to psychiatric specialists.

"Clinicians have long recognized that different depression drugs vary in their impacts on weight, BP, and further metabolic indicators," one professional commented.

"Nonetheless, what is significant about this study is the thorough, relative quantification of these variations across a wide range of physiological parameters utilizing information from over 58,000 subjects," the professional added.

The study provides robust proof of the degree of adverse reactions, some of which are more frequent than other effects. Frequent antidepressant medication unwanted effects may include:

• stomach problems (sickness, loose stools, blockage)
• sexual problems (lowered desire, anorgasmia)
• weight changes (increase or loss, according to the medication)
• sleep disturbances (inability to sleep or sedation)
• mouth dryness, moisture, headache

At the same time, rarer but clinically significant side effects may encompass:

• elevations in BP or cardiac rhythm (notably with SNRIs and certain tricyclics)
• low sodium (particularly in senior patients, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• increased liver enzymes
• QTc lengthening (potential of arrhythmia, particularly with one medication and some tricyclics)
• reduced emotions or apathy

"A key factor to consider in this context is that there are several distinct classes of antidepressants, which result in the varying adverse drug side effects," another expert explained.

"Moreover, antidepressant medications can impact each person variably, and unwanted reactions can range according to the particular pharmaceutical, amount, and personal elements like metabolism or simultaneous health issues."

While certain side effects, like fluctuations in sleep, hunger, or stamina, are quite frequent and frequently get better over time, different reactions may be less common or longer-lasting.

Antidepressant adverse reactions may range in severity, which could require a modification in your medication.

"An modification in antidepressant medication may be necessary if the individual encounters ongoing or intolerable adverse reactions that fail to enhance with duration or supportive measures," a expert said.

"Additionally, if there is an emergence of recent medical issues that may be aggravated by the present treatment, such as hypertension, arrhythmia, or substantial mass addition."

You may additionally think about talking with your healthcare provider concerning any lack of substantial improvement in low mood or worry symptoms following an sufficient evaluation duration. The appropriate trial period is typically 4–8 weeks at a treatment amount.

Personal inclination is furthermore crucial. Some people may choose to prevent particular adverse reactions, including sexual problems or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition