Antidepressant Medication Adverse Reactions Including Body Weight, BP Fluctuations Vary by Drug

• An large new investigation determined that the side effects of antidepressant medications vary significantly by drug.
• Certain drugs led to weight loss, whereas different drugs led to increased body weight.
• Cardiac rhythm and arterial pressure additionally varied notably between treatments.
• Individuals experiencing continuing, severe, or troubling adverse reactions should speak with a medical provider.

New research has revealed that antidepressant medication unwanted effects may be more varied than previously thought.

This comprehensive research, published on the 21st of October, analyzed the influence of antidepressant medications on over 58,000 subjects within the first two months of starting medication.

The researchers examined 151 research projects of 30 drugs typically prescribed to manage major depression. While not every patient develops side effects, certain of the most prevalent observed in the study were changes in body weight, BP, and metabolic markers.

Researchers observed significant variations across depression treatments. For example, an eight-week treatment period of agomelatine was associated with an average weight loss of about 2.4 kilograms (approximately 5.3 pounds), whereas another drug individuals added close to 2 kg in the same period.

Furthermore, notable changes in heart function: one antidepressant tended to reduce pulse rate, whereas another medication raised it, producing a gap of approximately 21 heartbeats per minute between the both treatments. Blood pressure differed too, with an 11 mmHg variation noted among one drug and another medication.

Medical professionals commented that the investigation's results aren't recent or unexpected to psychiatrists.

"We've long known that different antidepressant medications differ in their effects on weight, BP, and other metabolic measures," a expert stated.

"Nonetheless, what is notable about this investigation is the rigorous, comparison-based measurement of these variations throughout a extensive spectrum of physiological parameters using findings from in excess of 58,000 subjects," the expert commented.

This investigation offers robust support of the extent of unwanted effects, several of which are more common than other effects. Common antidepressant adverse reactions may include:

• stomach problems (nausea, diarrhea, irregularity)
• intimacy issues (reduced sex drive, inability to orgasm)
• weight changes (gain or reduction, depending on the medication)
• rest issues (sleeplessness or sleepiness)
• oral dehydration, perspiration, headache

Additionally, rarer but therapeutically relevant adverse reactions may encompass:

• rises in BP or heart rate (particularly with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and some tricyclics)
• reduced blood sodium (particularly in senior patients, with SSRIs and SNRIs)
• increased liver enzymes
• Corrected QT interval prolongation (chance of arrhythmia, particularly with one medication and some tricyclics)
• emotional blunting or indifference

"A key factor to consider in this context is that there are various distinct categories of depression drugs, which result in the distinct unwanted drug reactions," a different expert stated.

"Additionally, antidepressant medications can affect each patient differently, and negative reactions can vary according to the exact drug, dose, and individual elements including body chemistry or comorbidities."

While some unwanted effects, like changes in sleep, hunger, or vitality, are reasonably typical and commonly get better over time, others may be less typical or continuing.

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

"A modification in depression drug may be necessary if the individual experiences continuing or unacceptable unwanted effects that fail to enhance with time or supportive care," a professional stated.

"Furthermore, if there is an emergence of recently developed health problems that may be worsened by the current treatment, for instance elevated BP, irregular heartbeat, or substantial mass addition."

Patients may furthermore contemplate speaking with your physician about any absence of substantial improvement in depression-related or anxiety indicators subsequent to an adequate evaluation duration. The appropriate testing period is generally 4–8 weeks' time at a therapeutic dosage.

Personal inclination is furthermore crucial. Some people may choose to avoid particular adverse reactions, like sexual problems or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition