Antidepressant Medication Unwanted Effects Such as Weight, Blood Pressure Changes Vary Depending on Medication

• An comprehensive new investigation found that the side effects of antidepressant medications differ significantly by drug.
• Some pharmaceuticals led to decreased mass, whereas different drugs led to weight gain.
• Heart rate and arterial pressure additionally differed significantly between drugs.
• Patients suffering from persistent, serious, or troubling adverse reactions should speak with a medical provider.

New research has discovered that depression drug unwanted effects may be more varied than earlier believed.

This comprehensive research, published on October 21st, assessed the effect of antidepressant drugs on over 58,000 participants within the first 60 days of starting treatment.

The researchers studied 151 investigations of 30 drugs frequently employed to manage depression. Although not every patient develops side effects, several of the most prevalent noted in the research were variations in weight, BP, and metabolic indicators.

The study revealed striking disparities across antidepressant medications. As an illustration, an eight-week treatment period of agomelatine was linked to an typical decrease in mass of approximately 2.4 kilos (approximately 5.3 lbs), while another drug users gained almost 2 kg in the equivalent duration.

Additionally, significant changes in cardiovascular activity: one antidepressant was likely to reduce heart rate, while nortriptyline raised it, producing a gap of about 21 BPM between the two medications. Arterial pressure fluctuated as well, with an 11 mmHg difference observed across one drug and another medication.

Clinical specialists noted that the investigation's results are not recent or startling to mental health professionals.

"We've long known that distinct antidepressant medications differ in their influences on body weight, arterial pressure, and further metabolic measures," a specialist stated.

"However, what is significant about this investigation is the thorough, comparison-based assessment of these variations among a wide array of physiological parameters utilizing data from over 58,000 participants," this expert noted.

This investigation offers strong support of the degree of adverse reactions, several of which are more frequent than others. Common depression drug side effects may include:

• gastrointestinal symptoms (sickness, diarrhea, constipation)
• sexual dysfunction (decreased libido, anorgasmia)
• mass variations (addition or reduction, depending on the medication)
• rest issues (inability to sleep or sleepiness)
• oral dehydration, sweating, headache

Meanwhile, rarer but clinically significant adverse reactions may encompass:

• elevations in arterial pressure or pulse rate (particularly with SNRIs and certain tricyclics)
• hyponatremia (notably in older adults, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and SNRIs)
• elevated hepatic parameters
• QTc prolongation (risk of abnormal heart rhythm, particularly with citalopram and certain tricyclics)
• emotional blunting or lack of interest

"One thing to note regarding this matter is that there are multiple distinct types of antidepressants, which contribute to the distinct negative drug side effects," another specialist commented.

"Furthermore, antidepressant drugs can affect each person differently, and adverse side effects can vary based on the particular drug, dose, and patient elements such as metabolism or co-occurring conditions."

While several side effects, like variations in rest, appetite, or energy levels, are quite typical and commonly improve with time, others may be less common or longer-lasting.

Antidepressant side effects may range in seriousness, which could require a change in your drug.

"A adjustment in depression drug may be appropriate if the patient suffers ongoing or unacceptable unwanted effects that don't get better with duration or supportive care," one expert commented.

"Furthermore, if there is an appearance of recent medical issues that may be exacerbated by the present medication, for instance hypertension, abnormal heart rhythm, or considerable mass addition."

Individuals may additionally consider talking with your healthcare provider concerning any deficiency of significant progress in depression-related or anxiety indicators following an appropriate trial period. An sufficient testing period is usually 4–8 weeks' time at a effective amount.

Patient choice is furthermore crucial. Certain people may prefer to avoid particular adverse reactions, such as intimacy issues or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition