Depression Drug Unwanted Effects Including Body Weight, Blood Pressure Variations Differ Depending on Medication

• An large latest study discovered that the unwanted effects of antidepressants range considerably by drug.
• Certain drugs led to weight loss, while others resulted in increased body weight.
• Pulse rate and arterial pressure additionally varied notably among treatments.
• Patients encountering persistent, serious, or worrisome adverse reactions ought to speak with a medical provider.

Latest research has revealed that depression drug unwanted effects may be more extensive than once assumed.

This comprehensive research, published on the 21st of October, analyzed the effect of antidepressant medications on in excess of 58,000 participants within the beginning eight weeks of starting medication.

These researchers analyzed 151 studies of 30 medications frequently used to address major depression. Although not all individuals encounters side effects, some of the most common recorded in the research were fluctuations in weight, arterial pressure, and metabolic markers.

There were significant disparities between antidepressant drugs. For example, an eight-week course of agomelatine was connected with an typical weight loss of about 2.4 kg (roughly 5.3 lbs), whereas another drug individuals added close to 2 kg in the identical period.

There were also, significant variations in cardiac function: fluvoxamine tended to slow heart rate, in contrast another medication raised it, causing a difference of about 21 BPM among the two drugs. BP varied also, with an 11 mmHg disparity noted among nortriptyline and another medication.

Medical specialists noted that the study's results are not considered new or startling to psychiatric specialists.

"We've long known that different antidepressants differ in their impacts on weight, arterial pressure, and additional metabolic measures," one professional commented.

"Nonetheless, what is remarkable about this study is the thorough, relative quantification of these disparities throughout a wide array of physiological parameters using information from in excess of 58,000 participants," this expert noted.

The research provides robust support of the extent of adverse reactions, some of which are more frequent than others. Frequent antidepressant side effects may encompass:

• stomach problems (queasiness, diarrhea, irregularity)
• sexual problems (lowered desire, anorgasmia)
• body weight fluctuations (increase or decrease, depending on the agent)
• rest issues (sleeplessness or drowsiness)
• mouth dryness, sweating, head pain

Meanwhile, rarer but therapeutically relevant side effects may comprise:

• rises in blood pressure or pulse rate (particularly with SNRIs and some tricyclics)
• reduced blood sodium (particularly in senior patients, with SSRIs and SNRIs)
• increased liver enzymes
• QTc extension (potential of arrhythmia, particularly with citalopram and some tricyclics)
• emotional blunting or indifference

"A key factor to remember regarding this matter is that there are multiple varying types of depression drugs, which lead to the different adverse pharmaceutical side effects," a different specialist explained.

"Furthermore, depression treatments can affect every individual differently, and negative effects can differ depending on the particular pharmaceutical, dose, and patient considerations like metabolism or comorbidities."

Although some adverse reactions, such as fluctuations in sleep, hunger, or vitality, are reasonably frequent and often improve with time, different reactions may be less common or more persistent.

Depression drug side effects may vary in intensity, which could justify a change in your drug.

"An adjustment in antidepressant medication may be necessary if the patient suffers ongoing or unacceptable side effects that do not improve with passing days or supportive care," a expert commented.

"Moreover, if there is an emergence of new medical conditions that may be aggravated by the existing treatment, such as hypertension, arrhythmia, or significant weight gain."

Patients may additionally think about consulting with your physician about any deficiency of substantial progress in depression-related or anxiety-related symptoms following an appropriate testing period. The sufficient testing period is typically 4–8 weeks' time at a treatment dose.

Personal inclination is also important. Certain patients may prefer to evade certain side effects, including sexual problems or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition