Antidepressant Medication Unwanted Effects Including Body Weight, BP Changes Range Depending on Medication

• A large latest study discovered that the adverse reactions of antidepressants vary substantially by drug.
• Certain medications resulted in reduced body weight, whereas other medications resulted in increased body weight.
• Pulse rate and blood pressure also differed markedly across drugs.
• Patients encountering continuing, severe, or worrisome adverse reactions ought to discuss with a healthcare professional.

Latest investigations has discovered that depression drug side effects may be more diverse than once assumed.

This extensive study, released on October 21, analyzed the impact of antidepressant medications on more than 58,000 individuals within the initial eight weeks of starting medication.

These investigators analyzed 151 investigations of 30 drugs commonly prescribed to manage clinical depression. Although not all individuals encounters side effects, some of the most frequent noted in the research were variations in weight, BP, and metabolic parameters.

There were striking differences across depression treatments. As an illustration, an two-month regimen of agomelatine was linked to an mean weight loss of around 2.4 kilograms (roughly 5.3 lbs), whereas maprotiline patients added nearly 2 kg in the identical period.

Additionally, notable fluctuations in heart function: fluvoxamine often would decrease cardiac rhythm, whereas nortriptyline elevated it, producing a difference of about 21 heartbeats per minute across the both treatments. Blood pressure varied too, with an 11 mmHg variation noted among nortriptyline and doxepin.

Medical specialists observed that the research's findings are not considered novel or unexpected to psychiatric specialists.

"Clinicians have long recognized that various antidepressants differ in their influences on body weight, blood pressure, and further metabolic measures," one expert commented.

"Nonetheless, what is notable about this study is the thorough, comparative measurement of these disparities throughout a extensive spectrum of physical indicators using data from more than 58,000 individuals," this expert added.

The research delivers robust support of the extent of adverse reactions, some of which are more common than other effects. Frequent depression drug side effects may encompass:

• digestive issues (nausea, loose stools, blockage)
• intimacy issues (lowered desire, anorgasmia)
• body weight fluctuations (gain or reduction, based on the medication)
• rest issues (inability to sleep or sedation)
• oral dehydration, perspiration, migraine

Meanwhile, less common but clinically significant side effects may comprise:

• rises in blood pressure or heart rate (especially with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and some tricyclic antidepressants)
• hyponatremia (particularly in elderly individuals, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• increased liver enzymes
• Corrected QT interval lengthening (potential of irregular heartbeat, especially with citalopram and some tricyclics)
• reduced emotions or lack of interest

"A key factor to note here is that there are various varying classes of antidepressant medications, which contribute to the varying unwanted medication effects," another expert commented.

"Moreover, depression treatments can affect each patient distinctly, and negative effects can differ depending on the particular drug, dose, and personal factors including metabolic rate or simultaneous health issues."

While several side effects, including changes in rest, appetite, or stamina, are quite common and often enhance as time passes, other effects may be less frequent or continuing.

Antidepressant unwanted effects may range in severity, which could require a adjustment in your treatment.

"A change in depression drug may be necessary if the individual suffers persistent or intolerable side effects that fail to enhance with time or management strategies," one professional stated.

"Moreover, if there is an emergence of recent medical issues that may be aggravated by the present drug, such as hypertension, irregular heartbeat, or considerable increased body weight."

You may also think about speaking with your physician concerning any lack of significant improvement in depression-related or worry signs following an appropriate trial period. An adequate trial period is generally 4–8 weeks at a treatment amount.

Personal preference is also important. Certain people may want to evade particular unwanted effects, like intimacy issues or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition