Antidepressant Medication Unwanted Effects Such as Weight, Blood Pressure Fluctuations Differ Based on Pharmaceutical

• An extensive new study determined that the side effects of antidepressants differ considerably by drug.
• Some drugs resulted in decreased mass, while different drugs led to weight gain.
• Heart rate and BP furthermore varied markedly among medications.
• Individuals suffering from persistent, severe, or concerning adverse reactions should speak with a physician.

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

This comprehensive research, published on October 21, examined the effect of antidepressant medications on more than 58,000 subjects within the initial two months of starting medication.

These researchers analyzed 151 studies of 30 pharmaceuticals typically used to treat depression. Although not every patient experiences side effects, certain of the most frequent observed in the investigation were variations in body weight, blood pressure, and metabolic indicators.

There were significant disparities across antidepressant medications. For instance, an 60-day course of agomelatine was connected with an average decrease in mass of approximately 2.4 kg (roughly 5.3 pounds), while maprotiline users added almost 2 kg in the same period.

There were also, significant variations in cardiovascular activity: fluvoxamine was likely to reduce heart rate, in contrast nortriptyline increased it, creating a gap of around 21 beats per minute between the both treatments. Arterial pressure varied also, with an 11 mmHg disparity observed across one drug and doxepin.

Healthcare specialists commented that the research's results are not considered recent or startling to mental health professionals.

"It has long been understood that various antidepressant medications differ in their effects on body weight, BP, and other metabolic indicators," a specialist commented.

"However, what is significant about this research is the thorough, comparison-based measurement of these disparities across a broad range of physical indicators utilizing findings from over 58,000 participants," this professional noted.

This research offers comprehensive support of the degree of unwanted effects, some of which are more prevalent than different reactions. Frequent depression drug side effects may encompass:

• gastrointestinal symptoms (queasiness, diarrhea, blockage)
• intimacy issues (reduced sex drive, anorgasmia)
• mass variations (increase or reduction, based on the agent)
• sleep disturbances (inability to sleep or drowsiness)
• dry mouth, sweating, head pain

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

• elevations in arterial pressure or cardiac rhythm (notably with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and some tricyclic antidepressants)
• reduced blood sodium (especially in senior patients, with SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• liver enzyme elevations
• Corrected QT interval prolongation (chance of abnormal heart rhythm, especially with one medication and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
• reduced emotions or lack of interest

"One thing to remember here is that there are various varying types of antidepressant medications, which lead to the distinct unwanted pharmaceutical side effects," a different professional commented.

"Moreover, antidepressant drugs can impact each person distinctly, and unwanted reactions can range depending on the exact drug, dosage, and individual considerations such as body chemistry or co-occurring conditions."

While several adverse reactions, including fluctuations in sleep, appetite, or stamina, are quite typical and often enhance with time, other effects may be less typical or continuing.

Depression drug adverse reactions may vary in seriousness, which could warrant a change in your treatment.

"An modification in antidepressant may be warranted if the individual suffers persistent or intolerable adverse reactions that don't get better with time or supportive measures," a specialist stated.

"Moreover, if there is an development of recently developed health problems that may be exacerbated by the existing drug, for instance high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, or substantial increased body weight."

You may additionally consider talking with your healthcare provider concerning any lack of significant enhancement in depressive or anxiety-related signs subsequent to an appropriate trial period. An adequate testing period is usually 4–8 weeks at a treatment dose.

Personal inclination is also significant. Certain patients may choose to prevent particular unwanted effects, including sexual problems or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition