Depression Drug Side Effects Such as Weight, Blood Pressure Fluctuations Vary by Drug

• A extensive recent investigation found that the side effects of antidepressant medications range significantly by drug.
• Certain pharmaceuticals caused reduced body weight, while other medications caused increased body weight.
• Heart rate and arterial pressure also varied markedly across medications.
• Those encountering continuing, serious, or worrisome side effects must discuss with a physician.

Recent investigations has revealed that antidepressant unwanted effects may be more diverse than previously thought.

This comprehensive research, published on the 21st of October, analyzed the effect of depression treatments on more than 58,000 participants within the first eight weeks of commencing medication.

The researchers studied 151 studies of 30 drugs commonly prescribed to treat major depression. While not all individuals experiences adverse reactions, several of the most prevalent recorded in the investigation were variations in body weight, blood pressure, and metabolic indicators.

There were significant disparities among antidepressant drugs. For example, an eight-week regimen of one medication was connected with an mean weight loss of approximately 2.4 kilos (approximately 5.3 pounds), while maprotiline patients added almost 2 kg in the equivalent duration.

Furthermore, notable fluctuations in heart function: one antidepressant was likely to decrease heart rate, while nortriptyline increased it, producing a disparity of around 21 beats per minute across the two drugs. Arterial pressure differed also, with an 11 millimeters of mercury disparity seen between one drug and another medication.

Medical experts commented that the study's results are not considered new or unexpected to mental health professionals.

"It has long been understood that various antidepressant medications range in their influences on weight, BP, and other metabolic indicators," a professional explained.

"Nevertheless, what is notable about this study is the thorough, comparative quantification of these variations among a wide array of physical indicators using data from more than 58,000 participants," the professional commented.

The research offers comprehensive evidence of the extent of unwanted effects, several of which are more prevalent than other effects. Frequent antidepressant adverse reactions may encompass:

• digestive issues (sickness, diarrhea, constipation)
• sexual dysfunction (lowered desire, orgasmic dysfunction)
• body weight fluctuations (increase or reduction, based on the medication)
• sleep disturbances (inability to sleep or sleepiness)
• oral dehydration, perspiration, migraine

Meanwhile, less frequent but therapeutically relevant adverse reactions may comprise:

• rises in arterial pressure or heart rate (notably with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and certain tricyclics)
• reduced blood sodium (especially in elderly individuals, with SSRIs and SNRIs)
• elevated hepatic parameters
• Corrected QT interval lengthening (chance of abnormal heart rhythm, particularly with citalopram and certain tricyclics)
• emotional blunting or indifference

"One thing to remember regarding this matter is that there are several varying classes of depression drugs, which result in the different adverse drug effects," a different professional stated.

"Moreover, depression treatments can influence every individual variably, and negative reactions can range depending on the particular drug, dose, and individual factors like body chemistry or simultaneous health issues."

Although certain side effects, such as fluctuations in rest, hunger, or vitality, are quite frequent and often get better over time, others may be less common or longer-lasting.

Antidepressant medication adverse reactions may vary in severity, which could require a adjustment in your medication.

"An change in depression drug may be necessary if the individual experiences persistent or unbearable adverse reactions that don't get better with duration or supportive measures," a expert stated.

"Additionally, if there is an emergence of new medical conditions that may be aggravated by the existing drug, for instance hypertension, abnormal heart rhythm, or considerable mass addition."

You may also contemplate consulting with your doctor about any lack of significant progress in depression-related or anxiety symptoms following an appropriate trial period. The adequate trial period is usually 4–8 weeks at a effective dosage.

Individual preference is additionally important. Some patients may want to prevent specific adverse reactions, including sexual dysfunction or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition