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

• A comprehensive new research found that the unwanted effects of depression drugs differ substantially by drug.
• Some medications led to decreased mass, whereas other medications resulted in added mass.
• Pulse rate and BP additionally varied notably among treatments.
• Patients suffering from ongoing, serious, or troubling unwanted effects should speak with a medical provider.

New investigations has discovered that antidepressant unwanted effects may be more varied than earlier believed.

This comprehensive investigation, issued on October 21, analyzed the impact of depression treatments on in excess of 58,000 participants within the initial eight weeks of starting treatment.

These investigators analyzed 151 research projects of 30 drugs typically prescribed to address depression. While not everyone develops adverse reactions, some of the most prevalent noted in the investigation were variations in weight, BP, and metabolic parameters.

There were significant disparities among antidepressant medications. For instance, an 60-day course of agomelatine was associated with an mean weight loss of approximately 2.4 kilograms (roughly 5.3 lbs), whereas maprotiline users increased close to 2 kg in the identical period.

Additionally, marked fluctuations in heart function: one antidepressant often would decrease pulse rate, while another medication elevated it, producing a gap of about 21 beats per minute among the both treatments. Blood pressure fluctuated as well, with an 11 millimeters of mercury disparity seen among nortriptyline and doxepin.

Healthcare specialists observed that the research's findings are not recent or unexpected to mental health professionals.

"Clinicians have long recognized that distinct depression drugs differ in their influences on body weight, blood pressure, and further metabolic indicators," one professional commented.

"Nonetheless, what is notable about this investigation is the comprehensive, comparative measurement of these disparities throughout a wide array of physical indicators using data from in excess of 58,000 subjects," this specialist added.

The investigation offers comprehensive evidence of the magnitude of unwanted effects, certain of which are more frequent than others. Frequent antidepressant adverse reactions may encompass:

• gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, loose stools, blockage)
• sexual dysfunction (reduced sex drive, orgasmic dysfunction)
• mass variations (addition or loss, depending on the medication)
• sleep problems (inability to sleep or sedation)
• mouth dryness, sweating, head pain

Additionally, less frequent but therapeutically relevant unwanted effects may comprise:

• rises in arterial pressure or cardiac rhythm (especially with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and certain tricyclics)
• low sodium (notably in older adults, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• increased liver enzymes
• QTc prolongation (chance of abnormal heart rhythm, especially with citalopram and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
• emotional blunting or apathy

"An important point to note regarding this matter is that there are several distinct types of antidepressant medications, which contribute to the different negative pharmaceutical side effects," a different specialist explained.

"Additionally, antidepressant drugs can impact each patient distinctly, and adverse side effects can vary based on the particular drug, dosage, and individual elements like body chemistry or co-occurring conditions."

Although several side effects, like variations in sleep, hunger, or stamina, are quite common and frequently get better as time passes, different reactions may be less common or more persistent.

Depression drug side effects may vary in intensity, which could warrant a adjustment in your medication.

"A change in antidepressant may be necessary if the individual encounters ongoing or unbearable unwanted effects that fail to enhance with time or supportive measures," one professional said.

"Additionally, if there is an emergence of recently developed medical issues that may be worsened by the current drug, for instance elevated BP, irregular heartbeat, or substantial weight gain."

You may furthermore think about talking with your healthcare provider regarding any absence of substantial enhancement in depressive or anxiety-related symptoms after an appropriate evaluation duration. An appropriate evaluation duration is typically 4–8 weeks at a therapeutic dosage.

Patient inclination is furthermore significant. Certain patients may prefer to prevent particular side effects, like sexual dysfunction or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition