Antidepressant Side Effects Including Body Weight, Blood Pressure Variations Range Depending on Medication

• An extensive new study determined that the unwanted effects of depression drugs range substantially by drug.
• Certain drugs resulted in decreased mass, while other medications caused weight gain.
• Heart rate and blood pressure additionally differed markedly between drugs.
• Individuals suffering from persistent, severe, or concerning side effects should consult a medical provider.

Latest investigations has revealed that antidepressant adverse reactions may be more varied than once assumed.

This large-scale investigation, published on the 21st of October, assessed the impact of depression treatments on in excess of 58,000 participants within the initial 60 days of starting treatment.

The researchers analyzed 151 studies of 30 medications frequently prescribed to manage major depression. While not everyone experiences unwanted effects, some of the most common recorded in the research were variations in body weight, blood pressure, and metabolic markers.

The study revealed striking differences among antidepressant medications. For instance, an eight-week treatment period of agomelatine was connected with an mean decrease in mass of approximately 2.4 kg (roughly 5.3 lbs), whereas another drug patients added nearly 2 kg in the equivalent timeframe.

There were also, marked variations in cardiac function: one antidepressant tended to reduce heart rate, whereas another medication increased it, creating a difference of approximately 21 BPM between the both treatments. Blood pressure fluctuated also, with an 11 millimeters of mercury difference observed among nortriptyline and doxepin.

Medical professionals observed that the study's conclusions are not considered recent or unexpected to psychiatric specialists.

"We've long known that various antidepressant medications differ in their impacts on body weight, blood pressure, and additional metabolic parameters," a specialist commented.

"Nevertheless, what is notable about this study is the rigorous, relative assessment of these disparities across a wide array of physiological parameters employing findings from in excess of 58,000 participants," this expert commented.

The investigation delivers comprehensive proof of the extent of adverse reactions, some of which are more common than other effects. Typical depression drug adverse reactions may include:

• stomach problems (queasiness, bowel issues, blockage)
• intimacy issues (lowered desire, inability to orgasm)
• body weight fluctuations (addition or loss, according to the drug)
• sleep disturbances (sleeplessness or drowsiness)
• oral dehydration, moisture, head pain

Meanwhile, rarer but therapeutically relevant adverse reactions may encompass:

• elevations in arterial pressure or heart rate (notably with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and some tricyclics)
• reduced blood sodium (particularly in older adults, with SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• increased liver enzymes
• Corrected QT interval prolongation (potential of abnormal heart rhythm, especially with one medication and some tricyclic antidepressants)
• emotional blunting or lack of interest

"A key factor to consider in this context is that there are several varying classes of depression drugs, which result in the distinct negative pharmaceutical reactions," another expert stated.

"Furthermore, depression treatments can affect each person variably, and unwanted effects can vary according to the exact medication, dosage, and patient elements including metabolic rate or comorbidities."

While some unwanted effects, such as changes in rest, appetite, or vitality, are quite typical and commonly improve as time passes, other effects may be less frequent or more persistent.

Depression drug unwanted effects may differ in seriousness, which could require a change in your treatment.

"A change in antidepressant may be appropriate if the individual experiences continuing or unbearable side effects that don't get better with duration or supportive care," one specialist said.

"Additionally, if there is an appearance of new medical issues that may be worsened by the current drug, for instance high blood pressure, arrhythmia, or considerable increased body weight."

You may additionally contemplate consulting with your physician regarding any lack of significant enhancement in depression-related or worry signs subsequent to an sufficient evaluation duration. The sufficient testing period is typically 4–8 weeks' time at a effective amount.

Individual preference is furthermore significant. Certain individuals may want to prevent certain unwanted effects, such as intimacy issues or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition