Antidepressant Medication Unwanted Effects Like Weight, BP Changes Range by Drug

• A large latest study determined that the adverse reactions of antidepressants vary significantly by drug.
• Certain pharmaceuticals caused decreased mass, whereas different drugs led to added mass.
• Cardiac rhythm and arterial pressure furthermore diverged markedly across medications.
• Individuals encountering persistent, severe, or worrisome adverse reactions must discuss with a physician.

New investigations has found that depression drug side effects may be more extensive than earlier believed.

This comprehensive research, issued on the 21st of October, examined the impact of depression treatments on more than 58,000 participants within the first 60 days of starting treatment.

These researchers analyzed 151 studies of 30 medications typically used to address major depression. While not everyone encounters adverse reactions, several of the most common observed in the investigation were variations in weight, arterial pressure, and metabolic indicators.

The study revealed notable differences among antidepressant drugs. For instance, an 60-day course of one medication was linked to an mean decrease in mass of around 2.4 kg (about 5.3 lbs), whereas another drug patients gained close to 2 kg in the equivalent timeframe.

There were also, notable fluctuations in cardiovascular activity: one antidepressant was likely to decrease heart rate, in contrast another medication elevated it, creating a disparity of around 21 BPM among the two drugs. BP fluctuated too, with an 11 mmHg difference observed between nortriptyline and doxepin.

Clinical professionals observed that the investigation's findings are not recent or unexpected to psychiatrists.

"Clinicians have long recognized that different antidepressant medications vary in their influences on body weight, BP, and further metabolic measures," a specialist commented.

"However, what is notable about this research is the comprehensive, relative quantification of these differences throughout a wide range of physical indicators using information from more than 58,000 participants," the professional noted.

The research provides comprehensive support of the degree of adverse reactions, several of which are more prevalent than different reactions. Typical depression drug side effects may encompass:

• digestive issues (nausea, bowel issues, constipation)
• intimacy issues (reduced sex drive, inability to orgasm)
• body weight fluctuations (increase or loss, depending on the agent)
• sleep disturbances (insomnia or sedation)
• oral dehydration, perspiration, headache

Additionally, rarer but medically important unwanted effects may encompass:

• increases in arterial pressure or heart rate (notably with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and certain tricyclics)
• low sodium (notably in senior patients, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• elevated hepatic parameters
• QTc prolongation (risk of abnormal heart rhythm, notably with one medication and some tricyclic antidepressants)
• diminished feelings or apathy

"An important point to consider regarding this matter is that there are multiple different categories of antidepressant medications, which result in the different negative drug effects," a different expert explained.

"Furthermore, antidepressant drugs can impact each patient variably, and unwanted reactions can vary depending on the particular pharmaceutical, dose, and patient elements like metabolism or simultaneous health issues."

Although certain unwanted effects, such as variations in rest, appetite, or energy levels, are quite common and frequently enhance with time, different reactions may be less common or continuing.

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

"A change in depression drug may be appropriate if the individual encounters ongoing or unacceptable side effects that don't get better with time or management strategies," one professional commented.

"Moreover, if there is an emergence of recent health problems that may be exacerbated by the existing drug, such as hypertension, abnormal heart rhythm, or significant weight gain."

You may also contemplate speaking with your doctor regarding any absence of meaningful enhancement in low mood or anxiety-related indicators after an appropriate evaluation duration. The sufficient testing period is usually 4–8 weeks duration at a treatment amount.

Personal choice is additionally crucial. Certain patients may choose to prevent particular side effects, including intimacy issues or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition