Antidepressant Side Effects Such as Body Weight, Blood Pressure Variations Range by Drug

• An comprehensive recent study discovered that the adverse reactions of antidepressants vary considerably by drug.
• Some drugs resulted in decreased mass, while other medications led to increased body weight.
• Heart rate and arterial pressure also varied notably across treatments.
• Patients encountering ongoing, intense, or troubling unwanted effects should discuss with a physician.

Latest investigations has revealed that depression drug adverse reactions may be more extensive than earlier believed.

This large-scale research, published on October 21, analyzed the influence of antidepressant medications on over 58,000 individuals within the first eight weeks of beginning medication.

These researchers analyzed 151 studies of 30 drugs typically prescribed to treat depression. Although not all individuals encounters side effects, several of the most common observed in the investigation were changes in weight, blood pressure, and metabolic parameters.

The study revealed significant differences between antidepressant drugs. For example, an two-month treatment period of agomelatine was linked to an typical reduction in body weight of approximately 2.4 kilos (approximately 5.3 pounds), whereas another drug users increased almost 2 kg in the same duration.

There were also, significant variations in heart function: fluvoxamine tended to slow heart rate, in contrast another medication raised it, producing a difference of around 21 heartbeats per minute among the two medications. BP varied too, with an 11 mmHg disparity noted across nortriptyline and another medication.

Medical specialists noted that the investigation's findings aren't new or surprising to psychiatrists.

"Clinicians have long recognized that different antidepressant medications vary in their impacts on body weight, arterial pressure, and other metabolic indicators," a specialist commented.

"However, what is remarkable about this investigation is the comprehensive, comparison-based quantification of these variations throughout a wide spectrum of bodily measurements utilizing information from in excess of 58,000 subjects," this specialist added.

The study offers strong evidence of the magnitude of adverse reactions, several of which are more frequent than different reactions. Frequent depression drug side effects may include:

• gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, diarrhea, blockage)
• sexual dysfunction (decreased libido, orgasmic dysfunction)
• body weight fluctuations (addition or loss, based on the agent)
• sleep problems (inability to sleep or drowsiness)
• oral dehydration, perspiration, headache

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

• elevations in arterial pressure or heart rate (particularly with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and some tricyclic antidepressants)
• hyponatremia (particularly in elderly individuals, with SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• increased liver enzymes
• Corrected QT interval extension (risk of abnormal heart rhythm, especially with one medication and certain tricyclics)
• emotional blunting or indifference

"An important point to note in this context is that there are several varying categories of antidepressant medications, which lead to the varying negative drug reactions," another professional commented.

"Furthermore, antidepressant drugs can affect each person differently, and unwanted effects can vary based on the exact pharmaceutical, amount, and individual factors such as body chemistry or simultaneous health issues."

While certain side effects, like variations in rest, appetite, or stamina, are reasonably typical and frequently improve over time, different reactions may be less common or more persistent.

Antidepressant adverse reactions may range in severity, which could require a modification in your medication.

"A adjustment in antidepressant medication may be warranted if the patient encounters persistent or unbearable unwanted effects that do not improve with duration or management strategies," one specialist stated.

"Additionally, if there is an development of recently developed medical issues that may be worsened by the existing treatment, for example hypertension, arrhythmia, or substantial increased body weight."

Patients may additionally think about speaking with your physician about any absence of substantial improvement in low mood or worry signs after an sufficient testing period. The sufficient trial period is typically 4–8 weeks at a therapeutic amount.

Personal choice is additionally important. Certain patients may choose to prevent certain side effects, such as sexual dysfunction or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition