Antidepressant Side Effects Like Weight, BP Variations Differ by Drug

• An comprehensive recent research determined that the unwanted effects of antidepressant medications range significantly by drug.
• Some medications caused reduced body weight, whereas different drugs led to increased body weight.
• Pulse rate and BP also differed notably across drugs.
• Patients experiencing continuing, severe, or worrisome side effects must discuss with a healthcare professional.

Latest investigations has found that depression drug adverse reactions may be more varied than earlier believed.

The comprehensive investigation, released on October 21, assessed the influence of depression treatments on in excess of 58,000 individuals within the first two months of commencing medication.

These scientists analyzed 151 research projects of 30 drugs typically used to manage clinical depression. While not all individuals experiences adverse reactions, several of the most frequent noted in the research were fluctuations in weight, blood pressure, and metabolic markers.

There were notable differences among depression treatments. For instance, an eight-week treatment period of agomelatine was associated with an average weight loss of around 2.4 kg (approximately 5.3 pounds), while another drug individuals increased close to 2 kg in the identical timeframe.

Additionally, significant variations in cardiac function: one antidepressant tended to reduce heart rate, while another medication increased it, creating a gap of around 21 beats per minute among the two drugs. Arterial pressure fluctuated also, with an 11 millimeters of mercury difference observed among one drug and another medication.

Healthcare professionals noted that the study's conclusions are not considered recent or unexpected to psychiatrists.

"It has long been understood that distinct depression drugs differ in their impacts on weight, BP, and other metabolic indicators," one professional explained.

"Nevertheless, what is significant about this investigation is the comprehensive, relative quantification of these variations across a wide spectrum of bodily measurements utilizing information from over 58,000 individuals," this specialist added.

This study offers robust proof of the degree of unwanted effects, several of which are more frequent than other effects. Typical antidepressant medication side effects may comprise:

• stomach problems (sickness, bowel issues, irregularity)
• intimacy issues (reduced sex drive, inability to orgasm)
• mass variations (addition or loss, based on the agent)
• rest issues (insomnia or sedation)
• dry mouth, moisture, head pain

Meanwhile, less common but clinically significant adverse reactions may include:

• rises in blood pressure or pulse rate (notably with SNRIs and some tricyclics)
• hyponatremia (notably in older adults, with SSRIs and SNRIs)
• elevated hepatic parameters
• Corrected QT interval extension (chance of abnormal heart rhythm, notably with one medication and some tricyclics)
• reduced emotions or apathy

"An important point to remember regarding this matter is that there are multiple different classes of depression drugs, which lead to the different adverse medication effects," a different professional stated.

"Furthermore, depression treatments can affect every individual variably, and adverse reactions can vary according to the specific pharmaceutical, dosage, and personal considerations like body chemistry or co-occurring conditions."

While some unwanted effects, like changes in sleep, appetite, or energy levels, are reasonably frequent and often enhance with time, others may be less common or more persistent.

Depression drug unwanted effects may vary in seriousness, which could justify a change in your drug.

"A modification in antidepressant medication may be necessary if the person suffers persistent or intolerable side effects that fail to enhance with time or supportive care," one professional commented.

"Moreover, if there is an development of recently developed medical conditions that may be worsened by the current treatment, such as high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, or considerable weight gain."

Individuals may also contemplate speaking with your healthcare provider concerning any absence of meaningful improvement in low mood or anxiety-related signs subsequent to an adequate testing period. The appropriate evaluation duration is generally 4–8 weeks at a treatment dose.

Personal inclination is furthermore important. Some people may prefer to prevent specific adverse reactions, like sexual dysfunction or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition