Antidepressant Side Effects Like Body Weight, Blood Pressure Fluctuations Differ Based on Pharmaceutical

• A large new study discovered that the unwanted effects of depression drugs differ substantially by drug.
• Certain medications resulted in decreased mass, whereas others led to increased body weight.
• Pulse rate and arterial pressure also differed notably between medications.
• Patients encountering persistent, serious, or worrisome adverse reactions must speak with a medical provider.

New studies has found that depression drug unwanted effects may be more diverse than earlier believed.

The comprehensive investigation, issued on October 21, assessed the effect of antidepressant medications on more than 58,000 individuals within the beginning eight weeks of commencing therapy.

The scientists studied 151 studies of 30 medications commonly employed to address clinical depression. Although not all individuals encounters side effects, certain of the most prevalent observed in the investigation were variations in weight, blood pressure, and metabolic parameters.

Researchers observed striking disparities across antidepressant drugs. As an illustration, an two-month treatment period of agomelatine was connected with an mean reduction in body weight of about 2.4 kilograms (roughly 5.3 pounds), whereas another drug patients added almost 2 kg in the same period.

Additionally, marked fluctuations in cardiovascular activity: fluvoxamine tended to reduce pulse rate, while nortriptyline increased it, causing a gap of around 21 BPM between the two drugs. BP differed too, with an 11 millimeters of mercury difference seen among nortriptyline and another medication.

Medical professionals observed that the research's findings are not considered new or surprising to mental health professionals.

"It has long been understood that different depression drugs differ in their effects on weight, arterial pressure, and other metabolic indicators," a specialist stated.

"Nonetheless, what is remarkable about this research is the rigorous, relative assessment of these differences across a wide spectrum of physical indicators using information from in excess of 58,000 subjects," this expert noted.

The study offers robust support of the extent of adverse reactions, certain of which are more frequent than different reactions. Typical depression drug side effects may encompass:

• stomach problems (queasiness, 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 drowsiness)
• mouth dryness, moisture, migraine

At the same time, less common but medically important side effects may encompass:

• rises in blood pressure or heart rate (especially with SNRIs and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
• low sodium (notably in senior patients, with SSRIs and SNRIs)
• increased liver enzymes
• QTc extension (risk of abnormal heart rhythm, especially with citalopram and some tricyclics)
• reduced emotions or indifference

"A key factor to consider in this context is that there are various different categories of antidepressants, which contribute to the distinct adverse medication effects," another professional explained.

"Additionally, antidepressant drugs can influence each person distinctly, and unwanted reactions can vary based on the particular pharmaceutical, amount, and patient considerations such as metabolic rate or comorbidities."

While some side effects, including changes in sleep, appetite, or stamina, are fairly common and commonly improve as time passes, other effects may be less frequent or continuing.

Antidepressant medication adverse reactions may differ in severity, which could require a adjustment in your medication.

"An change in depression drug may be appropriate if the patient suffers continuing or intolerable adverse reactions that don't get better with passing days or management strategies," a professional stated.

"Moreover, if there is an development of new medical conditions that may be worsened by the existing drug, such as high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythm, or considerable mass addition."

Individuals may also think about talking with your doctor regarding any lack of substantial progress in depression-related or anxiety-related symptoms after an sufficient testing period. An sufficient evaluation duration is generally 4–8 weeks at a effective dose.

Individual inclination is furthermore significant. Some individuals may want to prevent particular adverse reactions, such as sexual dysfunction or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition