Antidepressant Medication Side Effects Such as Body Weight, Blood Pressure Fluctuations Vary Depending on Medication

• An comprehensive latest research determined that the unwanted effects of antidepressant medications range considerably by drug.
• Certain drugs led to reduced body weight, while other medications caused increased body weight.
• Pulse rate and arterial pressure also differed significantly among drugs.
• Individuals experiencing ongoing, serious, or worrisome side effects should speak with a healthcare professional.

New research has discovered that antidepressant medication adverse reactions may be more diverse than previously thought.

The comprehensive investigation, released on October 21st, examined the effect of depression treatments on in excess of 58,000 subjects within the beginning 60 days of starting treatment.

These investigators analyzed 151 studies of 30 pharmaceuticals commonly prescribed to treat depression. While not every patient experiences adverse reactions, certain of the most frequent noted in the research were changes in body weight, BP, and metabolic indicators.

Researchers observed striking disparities across antidepressant drugs. For example, an 60-day treatment period of agomelatine was connected with an typical decrease in mass of about 2.4 kilos (about 5.3 lbs), while another drug patients gained nearly 2 kg in the equivalent duration.

Furthermore, significant changes in cardiac function: one antidepressant tended to reduce pulse rate, in contrast nortriptyline elevated it, causing a gap of approximately 21 beats per minute among the two drugs. Arterial pressure differed too, with an 11 mmHg difference observed across nortriptyline and doxepin.

Clinical professionals observed that the investigation's results aren't novel or startling to psychiatric specialists.

"Clinicians have long recognized that various antidepressants differ in their effects on body weight, arterial pressure, and other metabolic parameters," one expert explained.

"Nevertheless, what is remarkable about this research is the rigorous, relative measurement of these variations throughout a wide spectrum of bodily measurements utilizing information from more than 58,000 subjects," the professional noted.

This research delivers comprehensive support of the extent of adverse reactions, certain of which are more common than others. Common depression drug side effects may include:

• gastrointestinal symptoms (queasiness, diarrhea, constipation)
• sexual dysfunction (lowered desire, inability to orgasm)
• weight changes (gain or loss, according to the drug)
• sleep problems (sleeplessness or sedation)
• oral dehydration, sweating, migraine

At the same time, less frequent but medically important adverse reactions may encompass:

• increases in arterial pressure or cardiac rhythm (notably with SNRIs and some tricyclic antidepressants)
• reduced blood sodium (notably in older adults, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and SNRIs)
• increased liver enzymes
• Corrected QT interval lengthening (chance of arrhythmia, notably with citalopram and certain tricyclics)
• diminished feelings or apathy

"An important point to consider in this context is that there are multiple varying types of antidepressant medications, which result in the different negative medication effects," a different professional stated.

"Additionally, antidepressant medications can impact every individual distinctly, and negative side effects can vary based on the specific pharmaceutical, dosage, and individual considerations including metabolism or simultaneous health issues."

Although some unwanted effects, like changes in rest, hunger, or energy levels, are reasonably frequent and commonly get better with time, other effects may be less frequent or continuing.

Antidepressant adverse reactions may vary in seriousness, which could warrant a modification in your medication.

"An change in antidepressant may be appropriate if the person suffers ongoing or intolerable adverse reactions that fail to enhance with duration or management strategies," a expert commented.

"Furthermore, if there is an appearance of recently developed medical issues that may be exacerbated by the existing drug, for instance high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, or considerable weight gain."

Patients may additionally contemplate talking with your physician regarding any absence of substantial improvement in depressive or anxiety-related signs after an sufficient trial period. An adequate evaluation duration is generally 4–8 weeks at a treatment dose.

Personal preference is furthermore significant. Certain people may choose to avoid certain adverse reactions, like sexual problems or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition