Antidepressant Side Effects Like Body Weight, Blood Pressure Changes Differ Depending on Medication

• An large recent study determined that the adverse reactions of antidepressants range considerably by drug.
• Certain medications caused decreased mass, while other medications led to added mass.
• Heart rate and blood pressure additionally differed significantly among drugs.
• Individuals encountering continuing, severe, or concerning side effects ought to consult a medical provider.

Latest studies has discovered that antidepressant unwanted effects may be more extensive than earlier believed.

The extensive research, released on the 21st of October, examined the effect of depression treatments on more than 58,000 participants within the first 60 days of beginning treatment.

The scientists analyzed 151 studies of 30 medications typically used to treat clinical depression. Although not every patient develops side effects, some of the most prevalent observed in the study were fluctuations in body weight, BP, and metabolic markers.

There were notable differences among antidepressant medications. As an illustration, an eight-week treatment period of agomelatine was associated with an average weight loss of around 2.4 kilograms (approximately 5.3 lbs), whereas maprotiline patients added close to 2 kg in the same duration.

Furthermore, notable variations in cardiovascular activity: fluvoxamine tended to slow pulse rate, while nortriptyline raised it, causing a difference of approximately 21 BPM among the both treatments. BP fluctuated also, with an 11 mmHg disparity observed across nortriptyline and doxepin.

Medical professionals commented that the research's conclusions are not considered recent or unexpected to psychiatric specialists.

"We've long known that different depression drugs range in their impacts on body weight, BP, and further metabolic measures," one specialist commented.

"However, what is remarkable about this investigation is the comprehensive, relative assessment of these differences among a wide array of physiological parameters using information from over 58,000 individuals," this specialist commented.

The research delivers robust support of the magnitude of adverse reactions, some of which are more frequent than other effects. Frequent antidepressant unwanted effects may comprise:

• stomach problems (nausea, diarrhea, irregularity)
• sexual problems (lowered desire, orgasmic dysfunction)
• mass variations (gain or decrease, based on the medication)
• sleep disturbances (insomnia or sedation)
• oral dehydration, perspiration, head pain

Additionally, rarer but medically important adverse reactions may comprise:

• increases in BP or cardiac rhythm (notably with SNRIs and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
• hyponatremia (especially in older adults, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and SNRIs)
• liver enzyme elevations
• QTc lengthening (chance of irregular heartbeat, especially with one medication and certain tricyclics)
• diminished feelings or indifference

"An important point to remember here is that there are various distinct classes of antidepressant medications, which contribute to the varying negative drug effects," a different expert stated.

"Moreover, antidepressant drugs can affect each patient variably, and unwanted reactions can vary according to the particular pharmaceutical, amount, and individual factors including metabolism or comorbidities."

Although certain unwanted effects, including variations in sleep, hunger, or vitality, are quite common and often get better over time, others may be less typical or longer-lasting.

Antidepressant medication unwanted effects may vary in intensity, which could require a modification in your treatment.

"An modification in antidepressant may be appropriate if the person encounters ongoing or unacceptable adverse reactions that don't get better with duration or supportive care," one professional commented.

"Furthermore, if there is an emergence of new medical conditions that may be worsened by the present drug, such as hypertension, irregular heartbeat, or significant mass addition."

Individuals may furthermore think about consulting with your healthcare provider regarding any lack of meaningful enhancement in depression-related or anxiety-related signs after an adequate testing period. An appropriate testing period is typically 4–8 weeks duration at a effective dosage.

Individual preference is also significant. Certain patients may want to avoid specific side effects, like sexual problems or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition