Antidepressant Medication Adverse Reactions Such as Body Weight, Blood Pressure Variations Differ by Drug

• A large new study found that the unwanted effects of antidepressants differ considerably by drug.
• Some pharmaceuticals resulted in reduced body weight, while other medications led to increased body weight.
• Pulse rate and blood pressure furthermore differed markedly among medications.
• Those experiencing persistent, serious, or worrisome side effects should discuss with a healthcare professional.

New research has discovered that antidepressant side effects may be more diverse than previously thought.

This comprehensive research, published on October 21st, analyzed the influence of depression treatments on more than 58,000 subjects within the beginning two months of commencing medication.

The researchers examined 151 studies of 30 pharmaceuticals commonly employed to treat major depression. While not every patient develops side effects, certain of the most prevalent noted in the investigation were fluctuations in weight, blood pressure, and metabolic markers.

There were striking disparities among antidepressant drugs. For instance, an eight-week treatment period of agomelatine was associated with an average reduction in body weight of around 2.4 kilograms (about 5.3 lbs), whereas maprotiline patients increased almost 2 kg in the same period.

Furthermore, significant variations in cardiac function: fluvoxamine tended to reduce heart rate, whereas nortriptyline elevated it, creating a gap of approximately 21 heartbeats per minute among the two medications. Arterial pressure fluctuated also, with an 11 millimeters of mercury difference observed between one drug and doxepin.

Medical experts observed that the research's results are not novel or startling to mental health professionals.

"It has long been understood that various antidepressants vary in their effects on weight, blood pressure, and other metabolic measures," a professional explained.

"However, what is notable about this research is the rigorous, relative measurement of these disparities throughout a wide array of bodily measurements using information from in excess of 58,000 participants," this professional commented.

This investigation provides comprehensive evidence of the magnitude of adverse reactions, several of which are more frequent than different reactions. Typical antidepressant adverse reactions may encompass:

• gastrointestinal symptoms (queasiness, loose stools, irregularity)
• intimacy issues (lowered desire, anorgasmia)
• mass variations (increase or decrease, based on the drug)
• sleep disturbances (inability to sleep or sleepiness)
• mouth dryness, moisture, migraine

Meanwhile, less common but medically important unwanted effects may include:

• elevations in BP or heart rate (particularly with SNRIs and some tricyclics)
• reduced blood sodium (notably in elderly individuals, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• elevated hepatic parameters
• QTc lengthening (risk of arrhythmia, especially with citalopram and certain tricyclics)
• emotional blunting or apathy

"An important point to note regarding this matter is that there are various distinct types of antidepressants, which contribute to the different unwanted medication reactions," another expert stated.

"Moreover, antidepressant medications can impact every individual variably, and negative side effects can range depending on the exact pharmaceutical, dosage, and personal considerations such as body chemistry or co-occurring conditions."

While certain side effects, like changes in sleep, hunger, or vitality, are reasonably common and frequently improve over time, different reactions may be less common or continuing.

Depression drug unwanted effects may differ in intensity, which could warrant a modification in your drug.

"A change in depression drug may be appropriate if the individual encounters continuing or unbearable unwanted effects that do not improve with passing days or supportive care," one specialist stated.

"Furthermore, if there is an development of recent medical conditions that may be worsened by the current drug, for instance elevated BP, irregular heartbeat, or considerable increased body weight."

Individuals may also think about talking with your healthcare provider about any absence of significant enhancement in low mood or anxiety symptoms after an sufficient trial period. The adequate evaluation duration is generally 4–8 weeks' time at a therapeutic dosage.

Patient inclination is additionally significant. Some people may prefer to prevent specific adverse reactions, including sexual problems or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition