Antidepressant Unwanted Effects Like Body Weight, BP Changes Vary Depending on Medication

• A comprehensive latest research discovered that the unwanted effects of depression drugs vary considerably by drug.
• Certain drugs resulted in decreased mass, whereas other medications resulted in weight gain.
• Heart rate and arterial pressure furthermore diverged markedly among medications.
• Patients encountering persistent, severe, or worrisome unwanted effects should discuss with a physician.

New investigations has discovered that antidepressant medication adverse reactions may be more varied than once assumed.

The extensive investigation, issued on October 21, assessed the effect of depression treatments on in excess of 58,000 subjects within the initial two months of beginning treatment.

These researchers studied 151 investigations of 30 medications typically employed to treat major depression. While not all individuals encounters unwanted effects, some of the most common noted in the study were fluctuations in body weight, BP, and metabolic parameters.

Researchers observed striking disparities across antidepressant drugs. For example, an eight-week treatment period of agomelatine was associated with an average decrease in mass of about 2.4 kg (roughly 5.3 pounds), while another drug users gained almost 2 kg in the equivalent duration.

Furthermore, significant variations in heart function: one antidepressant tended to slow heart rate, in contrast nortriptyline elevated it, producing a gap of around 21 beats per minute across the both treatments. Blood pressure fluctuated too, with an 11 millimeters of mercury difference observed between nortriptyline and doxepin.

Healthcare professionals commented that the study's conclusions are not considered novel or surprising to mental health professionals.

"Clinicians have long recognized that various antidepressants vary in their effects on body weight, arterial pressure, and additional metabolic parameters," a specialist commented.

"Nonetheless, what is significant about this investigation is the comprehensive, comparison-based measurement of these variations among a extensive array of physiological parameters employing data from more than 58,000 participants," this specialist noted.

This investigation provides strong proof of the extent of adverse reactions, some of which are more prevalent than different reactions. Typical antidepressant adverse reactions may include:

• gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, loose stools, irregularity)
• sexual problems (lowered desire, orgasmic dysfunction)
• weight changes (addition or reduction, depending on the agent)
• sleep problems (sleeplessness or drowsiness)
• oral dehydration, perspiration, migraine

At the same time, rarer but therapeutically relevant side effects may include:

• elevations in blood pressure or heart rate (especially with SNRIs and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
• low sodium (especially in senior patients, with SSRIs and SNRIs)
• elevated hepatic parameters
• Corrected QT interval prolongation (risk of arrhythmia, particularly with citalopram and certain tricyclics)
• diminished feelings or lack of interest

"An important point to remember in this context is that there are multiple different categories of depression drugs, which contribute to the different unwanted pharmaceutical effects," another specialist explained.

"Furthermore, antidepressant drugs can impact every individual distinctly, and adverse reactions can vary depending on the particular medication, dosage, and individual considerations such as body chemistry or comorbidities."

While several side effects, including changes in sleep, hunger, or stamina, are quite typical and often get better as time passes, other effects may be less typical or more persistent.

Antidepressant medication side effects may vary in severity, which could warrant a change in your treatment.

"An change in antidepressant may be necessary if the person suffers ongoing or unacceptable unwanted effects that do not improve with passing days or supportive measures," one professional stated.

"Moreover, if there is an development of recent health problems that may be worsened by the existing drug, such as elevated BP, abnormal heart rhythm, or considerable weight gain."

Individuals may also consider consulting with your healthcare provider concerning any absence of significant enhancement in depressive or worry indicators after an appropriate trial period. The adequate testing period is typically 4–8 weeks at a therapeutic dose.

Individual choice is additionally important. Some patients may want to prevent certain adverse reactions, like sexual dysfunction or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition