Depression Drug Side Effects Such as Body Weight, Blood Pressure Variations Differ by Drug

• An extensive new investigation discovered that the unwanted effects of antidepressant medications differ considerably by drug.
• Some medications caused reduced body weight, whereas other medications caused added mass.
• Heart rate and arterial pressure additionally diverged markedly between drugs.
• Individuals encountering ongoing, intense, or troubling side effects should speak with a medical provider.

Recent investigations has discovered that depression drug unwanted effects may be more varied than once assumed.

The comprehensive research, released on October 21, examined the impact of depression treatments on in excess of 58,000 participants within the initial 60 days of beginning treatment.

The investigators analyzed 151 research projects of 30 drugs typically employed to manage major depression. Although not everyone experiences unwanted effects, some of the most prevalent observed in the investigation were fluctuations in weight, BP, and metabolic parameters.

There were striking disparities between antidepressant drugs. For instance, an 60-day course of agomelatine was linked to an typical reduction in body weight of about 2.4 kg (approximately 5.3 lbs), while maprotiline users increased nearly 2 kg in the identical duration.

Additionally, notable variations in cardiovascular activity: one antidepressant was likely to decrease cardiac rhythm, whereas another medication increased it, producing a difference of around 21 BPM among the two medications. Blood pressure fluctuated too, with an 11 millimeters of mercury difference noted across one drug and another medication.

Healthcare professionals commented that the study's findings are not novel or startling to psychiatric specialists.

"Clinicians have long recognized that different antidepressant medications differ in their impacts on body weight, blood pressure, and additional metabolic measures," one professional explained.

"However, what is remarkable about this research is the comprehensive, comparative assessment of these variations across a broad range of physiological parameters employing findings from more than 58,000 participants," this professional noted.

The study provides strong evidence of the magnitude of side effects, certain of which are more prevalent than other effects. Frequent depression drug adverse reactions may comprise:

• gastrointestinal symptoms (queasiness, loose stools, constipation)
• intimacy issues (reduced sex drive, inability to orgasm)
• body weight fluctuations (gain or decrease, according to the medication)
• sleep problems (insomnia or drowsiness)
• oral dehydration, perspiration, migraine

At the same time, rarer but clinically significant unwanted effects may encompass:

• increases in blood pressure or heart rate (notably with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and certain tricyclics)
• reduced blood sodium (especially in senior patients, with SSRIs and SNRIs)
• liver enzyme elevations
• QTc prolongation (potential of arrhythmia, especially with citalopram and certain tricyclics)
• emotional blunting or indifference

"One thing to note in this context is that there are multiple different classes of antidepressants, which contribute to the varying negative pharmaceutical reactions," a different professional commented.

"Additionally, antidepressant medications can impact each patient distinctly, and unwanted effects can differ depending on the specific pharmaceutical, dose, and personal considerations like body chemistry or simultaneous health issues."

Although certain adverse reactions, including changes in rest, hunger, or stamina, are fairly typical and frequently get better as time passes, other effects may be less frequent or continuing.

Antidepressant side effects may vary in intensity, which could warrant a change in your drug.

"An change in antidepressant medication may be appropriate if the patient encounters continuing or unbearable unwanted effects that do not improve with duration or management strategies," one professional said.

"Additionally, if there is an emergence of recently developed medical conditions that may be worsened by the present drug, for example elevated BP, abnormal heart rhythm, or significant increased body weight."

Patients may additionally think about talking with your physician concerning any lack of meaningful enhancement in low mood or worry indicators after an appropriate testing period. An adequate trial period is generally 4–8 weeks at a therapeutic dose.

Personal choice is furthermore important. Some people may prefer to prevent specific adverse reactions, including sexual problems or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition