Antidepressant Adverse Reactions Including Body Weight, Blood Pressure Fluctuations Differ Depending on Medication

• An comprehensive new investigation determined that the unwanted effects of antidepressant medications vary substantially by drug.
• Some medications led to weight loss, while others resulted in increased body weight.
• Pulse rate and BP additionally varied notably across drugs.
• Individuals experiencing persistent, severe, or worrisome adverse reactions must discuss with a physician.

New studies has found that depression drug unwanted effects may be more diverse than previously thought.

This comprehensive research, issued on October 21st, examined the impact of depression treatments on in excess of 58,000 subjects within the beginning two months of commencing therapy.

The investigators examined 151 research projects of 30 medications typically used to address major depression. Although not everyone develops side effects, several of the most frequent observed in the investigation were variations in weight, arterial pressure, and metabolic parameters.

Researchers observed striking variations across antidepressant medications. For example, an eight-week regimen of agomelatine was connected with an mean reduction in body weight of around 2.4 kg (roughly 5.3 pounds), whereas another drug users gained nearly 2 kg in the equivalent period.

There were also, significant changes in cardiac function: one antidepressant tended to decrease heart rate, in contrast another medication raised it, creating a disparity of about 21 heartbeats per minute between the both treatments. Arterial pressure varied too, with an 11 millimeters of mercury difference noted across one drug and another medication.

Healthcare specialists commented that the research's conclusions are not considered new or startling to psychiatrists.

"We've long known that distinct antidepressants differ in their impacts on body weight, blood pressure, and other metabolic measures," one expert commented.

"Nevertheless, what is remarkable about this study is the thorough, comparative quantification of these differences among a broad spectrum of physical indicators using findings from in excess of 58,000 individuals," this specialist commented.

The research offers robust support of the magnitude of side effects, several of which are more prevalent than different reactions. Frequent antidepressant adverse reactions may encompass:

• gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, bowel issues, irregularity)
• sexual problems (decreased libido, anorgasmia)
• body weight fluctuations (addition or loss, according to the agent)
• sleep problems (inability to sleep or sleepiness)
• oral dehydration, sweating, head pain

Additionally, less common but therapeutically relevant side effects may encompass:

• increases in arterial pressure or pulse rate (particularly with SNRIs and some tricyclics)
• reduced blood sodium (particularly in older adults, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• elevated hepatic parameters
• QTc extension (risk of arrhythmia, especially with one medication and some tricyclics)
• diminished feelings or apathy

"One thing to remember here is that there are multiple varying types of antidepressants, which result in the different negative pharmaceutical effects," another expert commented.

"Additionally, antidepressant medications can impact each patient variably, and unwanted effects can range according to the particular pharmaceutical, dosage, and individual factors including metabolic rate or simultaneous health issues."

While certain unwanted effects, including changes in rest, hunger, or energy levels, are reasonably common and often get better as time passes, different reactions may be less common or continuing.

Antidepressant medication adverse reactions may vary in severity, which could warrant a change in your drug.

"A adjustment in antidepressant medication may be necessary if the person suffers persistent or intolerable side effects that do not improve with time or supportive care," a expert commented.

"Additionally, if there is an appearance of recent medical conditions that may be aggravated by the present treatment, for instance hypertension, abnormal heart rhythm, or substantial increased body weight."

You may additionally contemplate talking with your physician about any deficiency of meaningful progress in depressive or worry symptoms following an appropriate trial period. The adequate trial period is generally 4–8 weeks duration at a treatment dosage.

Patient inclination is furthermore significant. Some people may prefer to avoid specific unwanted effects, such as sexual dysfunction or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition