Antidepressant Unwanted Effects Like Weight, Blood Pressure Changes Vary Depending on Medication

• A extensive recent investigation discovered that the side effects of depression drugs range substantially by drug.
• Certain medications led to reduced body weight, whereas others caused weight gain.
• Pulse rate and arterial pressure additionally diverged markedly among medications.
• Individuals suffering from continuing, intense, or concerning side effects ought to consult a physician.

Recent research has revealed that depression drug unwanted effects may be more diverse than once assumed.

The large-scale study, issued on the 21st of October, analyzed the influence of antidepressant medications on in excess of 58,000 subjects within the initial two months of commencing treatment.

The researchers analyzed 151 investigations of 30 drugs frequently employed to address depression. While not every patient encounters side effects, some of the most frequent noted in the research were variations in weight, arterial pressure, and metabolic parameters.

There were striking disparities between antidepressant medications. As an illustration, an two-month course of agomelatine was associated with an typical weight loss of approximately 2.4 kilos (approximately 5.3 lbs), while maprotiline individuals increased almost 2 kg in the same duration.

Additionally, significant changes in cardiac function: one antidepressant often would reduce cardiac rhythm, in contrast another medication raised it, producing a gap of approximately 21 heartbeats per minute across the two drugs. Arterial pressure varied as well, with an 11 millimeters of mercury disparity seen among one drug and another medication.

Medical experts commented that the investigation's results aren't new or unexpected to psychiatric specialists.

"Clinicians have long recognized that distinct antidepressant medications vary in their influences on weight, arterial pressure, and additional metabolic parameters," one expert explained.

"However, what is notable about this research is the rigorous, comparison-based quantification of these variations across a extensive array of bodily measurements employing data from more than 58,000 individuals," the specialist noted.

The research delivers comprehensive support of the degree of side effects, several of which are more common than other effects. Frequent antidepressant medication unwanted effects may encompass:

• digestive issues (nausea, loose stools, irregularity)
• sexual problems (lowered desire, orgasmic dysfunction)
• weight changes (increase or decrease, according to the agent)
• rest issues (insomnia or sleepiness)
• dry mouth, sweating, migraine

Additionally, rarer but therapeutically relevant side effects may comprise:

• increases in arterial pressure or cardiac rhythm (notably with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and certain tricyclics)
• low sodium (notably in elderly individuals, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and SNRIs)
• increased liver enzymes
• QTc prolongation (potential of arrhythmia, notably with one medication and certain tricyclics)
• reduced emotions or indifference

"A key factor to note in this context is that there are multiple different types of antidepressants, which lead to the varying adverse drug reactions," a different professional commented.

"Moreover, antidepressant medications can impact each patient differently, and unwanted reactions can range depending on the particular medication, dosage, and personal elements such as metabolic rate or simultaneous health issues."

While several adverse reactions, like variations in rest, hunger, or vitality, are quite typical and commonly enhance over time, others may be less common or longer-lasting.

Depression drug adverse reactions may range in severity, which could justify a change in your treatment.

"An change in antidepressant may be warranted if the person encounters ongoing or unbearable adverse reactions that fail to enhance with passing days or supportive measures," a professional commented.

"Additionally, if there is an emergence of recently developed health problems that may be worsened by the present medication, such as hypertension, irregular heartbeat, or substantial weight gain."

Patients may also consider consulting with your doctor concerning any absence of substantial progress in depressive or anxiety symptoms following an sufficient testing period. An sufficient testing period is usually 4–8 weeks at a treatment amount.

Individual preference is furthermore important. Some people may prefer to avoid particular unwanted effects, such as sexual problems or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition