Antidepressant Medication Side Effects Such as Weight, BP Fluctuations Differ by Drug

• An extensive recent investigation found that the unwanted effects of antidepressants differ significantly by drug.
• Some pharmaceuticals resulted in weight loss, whereas others caused increased body weight.
• Cardiac rhythm and BP also varied significantly across drugs.
• Patients experiencing continuing, severe, or troubling side effects ought to discuss with a physician.

Latest investigations has discovered that antidepressant adverse reactions may be more diverse than previously thought.

This comprehensive investigation, issued on October 21, examined the influence of depression treatments on over 58,000 individuals within the first two months of starting medication.

The researchers analyzed 151 studies of 30 pharmaceuticals frequently employed to treat clinical depression. While not every patient encounters adverse reactions, some of the most frequent observed in the investigation were variations in weight, BP, and metabolic indicators.

Researchers observed significant variations across antidepressant medications. For example, an two-month regimen of agomelatine was linked to an mean reduction in body weight of approximately 2.4 kg (roughly 5.3 lbs), whereas maprotiline individuals added close to 2 kg in the identical duration.

Furthermore, notable fluctuations in heart function: one antidepressant tended to reduce pulse rate, whereas nortriptyline raised it, producing a disparity of about 21 heartbeats per minute among the both treatments. BP differed as well, with an 11 mmHg variation observed across one drug and another medication.

Healthcare experts commented that the study's conclusions are not considered new or startling to mental health professionals.

"It has long been understood that various antidepressant medications range in their impacts on body weight, blood pressure, and further metabolic parameters," a expert explained.

"However, what is significant about this study is the thorough, comparison-based quantification of these disparities among a extensive spectrum of bodily measurements utilizing findings from over 58,000 participants," this expert noted.

This study offers robust evidence of the magnitude of adverse reactions, several of which are more frequent than others. Frequent depression drug side effects may comprise:

• stomach problems (queasiness, loose stools, irregularity)
• intimacy issues (reduced sex drive, anorgasmia)
• mass variations (gain or loss, based on the agent)
• sleep disturbances (inability to sleep or drowsiness)
• dry mouth, sweating, migraine

Additionally, less frequent but therapeutically relevant side effects may encompass:

• elevations in arterial pressure or cardiac rhythm (particularly with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and certain tricyclics)
• hyponatremia (especially in senior patients, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• elevated hepatic parameters
• Corrected QT interval extension (risk of arrhythmia, particularly with one medication and some tricyclics)
• diminished feelings or lack of interest

"One thing to note here is that there are various distinct types of depression drugs, which contribute to the varying unwanted pharmaceutical side effects," another expert explained.

"Moreover, depression treatments can influence each patient distinctly, and negative side effects can differ based on the exact medication, dosage, and patient considerations such as metabolism or comorbidities."

Although certain adverse reactions, such as variations in rest, appetite, or energy levels, are reasonably typical and frequently improve with time, others may be less typical or longer-lasting.

Antidepressant medication adverse reactions may differ in severity, which could warrant a modification in your drug.

"A change in antidepressant may be necessary if the patient experiences continuing or unacceptable adverse reactions that do not improve with passing days or supportive measures," one professional stated.

"Moreover, if there is an emergence of recently developed medical issues that may be aggravated by the existing treatment, for instance hypertension, irregular heartbeat, or substantial increased body weight."

Individuals may also contemplate consulting with your healthcare provider concerning any lack of substantial improvement in depressive or anxiety symptoms subsequent to an adequate trial period. The sufficient evaluation duration is generally 4–8 weeks duration at a effective dose.

Individual preference is also important. Some individuals may prefer to prevent specific unwanted effects, including sexual dysfunction or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition