Antidepressant Medication Adverse Reactions Including Weight, BP Variations Range Depending on Medication

• An large recent study determined that the unwanted effects of antidepressant medications vary substantially by drug.
• Some medications led to decreased mass, whereas others caused weight gain.
• Pulse rate and arterial pressure additionally diverged notably across medications.
• Patients experiencing ongoing, serious, or concerning side effects ought to consult a healthcare professional.

Latest investigations has found that antidepressant medication adverse reactions may be more diverse than once assumed.

This large-scale research, published on October 21, assessed the effect of depression treatments on over 58,000 individuals within the initial two months of commencing treatment.

The researchers analyzed 151 studies of 30 medications frequently employed to treat depression. Although not everyone develops adverse reactions, some of the most frequent recorded in the study were changes in body weight, arterial pressure, and metabolic parameters.

Researchers observed notable differences across depression treatments. As an illustration, an two-month regimen of agomelatine was connected with an average decrease in mass of around 2.4 kg (roughly 5.3 pounds), while another drug patients added nearly 2 kg in the same period.

There were also, marked variations in cardiac function: fluvoxamine tended to slow heart rate, whereas nortriptyline raised it, causing a disparity of approximately 21 beats per minute across the two medications. BP fluctuated too, with an 11 mmHg disparity noted among one drug and doxepin.

Clinical specialists observed that the investigation's findings aren't new or startling to psychiatric specialists.

"We've long known that various depression drugs vary in their effects on body weight, BP, and other metabolic parameters," one specialist explained.

"Nonetheless, what is notable about this study is the comprehensive, comparison-based measurement of these differences throughout a broad spectrum of bodily measurements employing information from in excess of 58,000 individuals," this specialist noted.

The research delivers comprehensive proof of the magnitude of side effects, several of which are more frequent than different reactions. Frequent antidepressant medication side effects may encompass:

• digestive issues (queasiness, bowel issues, irregularity)
• sexual dysfunction (decreased libido, anorgasmia)
• body weight fluctuations (increase or decrease, based on the agent)
• sleep disturbances (inability to sleep or sleepiness)
• mouth dryness, perspiration, headache

Additionally, less common but therapeutically relevant unwanted effects may include:

• elevations in arterial pressure or heart rate (especially with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and some tricyclics)
• hyponatremia (especially in senior patients, with SSRIs and SNRIs)
• increased liver enzymes
• QTc lengthening (potential of irregular heartbeat, especially with one medication and some tricyclic antidepressants)
• diminished feelings or lack of interest

"A key factor to remember in this context is that there are multiple distinct types of depression drugs, which lead to the varying adverse drug side effects," a different expert stated.

"Furthermore, depression treatments can impact each patient distinctly, and adverse side effects can range depending on the exact medication, amount, and individual considerations including body chemistry or co-occurring conditions."

Although certain adverse reactions, including fluctuations in rest, hunger, or energy levels, are fairly common and commonly enhance over time, others may be less frequent or longer-lasting.

Antidepressant medication unwanted effects may range in severity, which could warrant a adjustment in your treatment.

"A adjustment in antidepressant may be necessary if the individual experiences persistent or unbearable unwanted effects that don't get better with duration or management strategies," a specialist said.

"Additionally, if there is an emergence of recent medical conditions that may be aggravated by the existing treatment, such as high blood pressure, arrhythmia, or significant increased body weight."

You may additionally contemplate consulting with your healthcare provider about any lack of significant enhancement in low mood or anxiety-related symptoms subsequent to an sufficient testing period. An adequate trial period is generally 4–8 weeks duration at a treatment amount.

Patient choice is also crucial. Certain people may prefer to evade particular adverse reactions, such as intimacy issues or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition