Antidepressant Unwanted Effects Like Body Weight, BP Fluctuations Differ by Drug

• A comprehensive latest research found that the unwanted effects of antidepressant medications vary significantly by drug.
• Certain pharmaceuticals resulted in weight loss, whereas different drugs caused increased body weight.
• Pulse rate and arterial pressure additionally diverged notably among treatments.
• Patients experiencing persistent, severe, or troubling side effects should consult a healthcare professional.

Recent investigations has found that depression drug unwanted effects may be more varied than previously thought.

This large-scale research, issued on the 21st of October, assessed the influence of antidepressant drugs on over 58,000 subjects within the first 60 days of commencing treatment.

These scientists examined 151 research projects of 30 drugs commonly used to treat major depression. While not all individuals experiences unwanted effects, some of the most frequent observed in the investigation were changes in weight, blood pressure, and metabolic markers.

There were striking disparities between antidepressant drugs. For example, an two-month course of agomelatine was associated with an typical decrease in mass of around 2.4 kilos (roughly 5.3 pounds), while maprotiline individuals gained almost 2 kg in the same timeframe.

Furthermore, marked variations in cardiovascular activity: fluvoxamine often would slow pulse rate, whereas another medication elevated it, creating a gap of around 21 heartbeats per minute across the both treatments. Blood pressure differed as well, with an 11 millimeters of mercury difference seen between one drug and doxepin.

Medical specialists observed that the research's findings aren't new or surprising to mental health professionals.

"Clinicians have long recognized that distinct antidepressants differ in their impacts on body weight, arterial pressure, and other metabolic parameters," a professional explained.

"Nevertheless, what is significant about this investigation is the rigorous, comparative assessment of these differences throughout a extensive spectrum of bodily measurements using information from more than 58,000 subjects," this specialist commented.

The research provides strong evidence of the extent of unwanted effects, certain of which are more frequent than others. Frequent antidepressant side effects may include:

• digestive issues (queasiness, bowel issues, blockage)
• intimacy issues (lowered desire, inability to orgasm)
• body weight fluctuations (increase or loss, according to the agent)
• sleep disturbances (insomnia or drowsiness)
• mouth dryness, moisture, head pain

Meanwhile, less common but therapeutically relevant side effects may comprise:

• increases in blood pressure or cardiac rhythm (especially with SNRIs and some tricyclic antidepressants)
• reduced blood sodium (especially in older adults, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and SNRIs)
• increased liver enzymes
• Corrected QT interval lengthening (chance of irregular heartbeat, notably with citalopram and certain tricyclics)
• diminished feelings or indifference

"An important point to consider here is that there are various distinct types of depression drugs, which lead to the different negative pharmaceutical reactions," a different expert stated.

"Additionally, depression treatments can affect every individual variably, and adverse reactions can differ based on the specific pharmaceutical, dosage, and personal elements such as metabolism or co-occurring conditions."

While several side effects, such as changes in sleep, appetite, or energy levels, are quite typical and commonly improve as time passes, others may be less common or more persistent.

Depression drug adverse reactions may vary in seriousness, which could justify a modification in your treatment.

"A adjustment in antidepressant medication may be necessary if the person encounters continuing or intolerable side effects that don't get better with duration or management strategies," a specialist stated.

"Additionally, if there is an emergence of recent medical issues that may be worsened by the current medication, for instance elevated BP, arrhythmia, or substantial increased body weight."

You may furthermore contemplate talking with your healthcare provider regarding any lack of significant improvement in depressive or anxiety indicators after an adequate testing period. An appropriate testing period is generally 4–8 weeks at a treatment amount.

Patient inclination is furthermore important. Certain individuals may choose to prevent particular unwanted effects, such as sexual dysfunction or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition