Antidepressant Side Effects Like Weight, BP Variations Range by Drug

• An large recent investigation found that the unwanted effects of antidepressant medications differ considerably by drug.
• Some drugs led to reduced body weight, while different drugs led to increased body weight.
• Cardiac rhythm and arterial pressure also diverged significantly between medications.
• Those suffering from ongoing, intense, or concerning side effects must speak with a healthcare professional.

Latest studies has found that antidepressant medication adverse reactions may be more diverse than earlier believed.

This large-scale study, issued on October 21, assessed the effect of depression treatments on over 58,000 participants within the beginning eight weeks of starting therapy.

These researchers analyzed 151 research projects of 30 medications frequently prescribed to manage major depression. While not every patient experiences side effects, some of the most common noted in the study were changes in body weight, blood pressure, and metabolic indicators.

The study revealed striking disparities across antidepressant drugs. For instance, an 60-day regimen of agomelatine was linked to an average weight loss of approximately 2.4 kg (approximately 5.3 lbs), whereas maprotiline patients increased nearly 2 kg in the same timeframe.

There were also, marked changes in cardiac function: fluvoxamine tended to reduce pulse rate, whereas nortriptyline increased it, producing a disparity of around 21 beats per minute across the two drugs. BP differed also, with an 11 mmHg difference noted across nortriptyline and another medication.

Medical specialists observed that the research's findings are not considered new or startling to psychiatrists.

"We've long known that various antidepressants vary in their influences on body weight, arterial pressure, and additional metabolic measures," a specialist explained.

"Nonetheless, what is notable about this research is the comprehensive, comparative measurement of these variations among a wide spectrum of physiological parameters utilizing findings from in excess of 58,000 individuals," the expert noted.

This research provides strong evidence of the degree of unwanted effects, certain of which are more common than different reactions. Typical depression drug side effects may include:

• gastrointestinal symptoms (sickness, loose stools, constipation)
• sexual problems (lowered desire, inability to orgasm)
• body weight fluctuations (gain or loss, based on the medication)
• sleep disturbances (sleeplessness or sedation)
• oral dehydration, perspiration, migraine

At the same time, less common but medically important unwanted effects may comprise:

• elevations in BP or cardiac rhythm (especially with SNRIs and some tricyclics)
• hyponatremia (particularly in elderly individuals, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and SNRIs)
• elevated hepatic parameters
• Corrected QT interval lengthening (chance of irregular heartbeat, notably with citalopram and some tricyclics)
• emotional blunting or apathy

"One thing to remember here is that there are various varying types of antidepressants, which result in the varying unwanted drug reactions," another professional commented.

"Furthermore, antidepressant drugs can influence every individual differently, and unwanted reactions can vary according to the exact pharmaceutical, amount, and personal elements including body chemistry or co-occurring conditions."

Although certain unwanted effects, including fluctuations in rest, appetite, or vitality, are fairly common and often improve as time passes, other effects may be less typical or longer-lasting.

Antidepressant side effects may range in seriousness, which could warrant a change in your treatment.

"A change in antidepressant may be warranted if the individual encounters persistent or unacceptable side effects that do not improve with duration or management strategies," a specialist commented.

"Additionally, if there is an development of recently developed medical conditions that may be worsened by the current medication, for example hypertension, irregular heartbeat, or substantial weight gain."

Patients may also consider talking with your physician regarding any absence of substantial enhancement in depression-related or worry signs following an sufficient testing period. An adequate testing period is generally 4–8 weeks at a effective amount.

Patient inclination is also significant. Some individuals may prefer to evade particular adverse reactions, such as sexual dysfunction or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition