Antidepressant Medication Unwanted Effects Like Weight, Blood Pressure Variations Differ Depending on Medication

• A large latest study determined that the adverse reactions of antidepressants vary substantially by drug.
• Some medications resulted in reduced body weight, while other medications led to weight gain.
• Pulse rate and arterial pressure also differed markedly between medications.
• Patients suffering from ongoing, severe, or concerning unwanted effects must discuss with a healthcare professional.

Recent studies has revealed that antidepressant medication side effects may be more varied than previously thought.

This comprehensive investigation, released on the 21st of October, examined the influence of depression treatments on over 58,000 individuals within the initial eight weeks of commencing medication.

The investigators analyzed 151 research projects of 30 drugs frequently employed to address clinical depression. While not every patient develops adverse reactions, several of the most frequent observed in the study were changes in weight, BP, and metabolic markers.

Researchers observed striking disparities between antidepressant drugs. For instance, an 60-day regimen of agomelatine was associated with an average weight loss of about 2.4 kilograms (about 5.3 lbs), while another drug patients gained nearly 2 kg in the equivalent timeframe.

There were also, marked variations in heart function: one antidepressant was likely to reduce cardiac rhythm, whereas another medication increased it, causing a disparity of about 21 beats per minute between the two drugs. Arterial pressure varied too, with an 11 millimeters of mercury variation seen among one drug and doxepin.

Medical experts noted that the study's results are not considered recent or startling to psychiatric specialists.

"It has long been understood that various antidepressants vary in their influences on weight, BP, and further metabolic parameters," a specialist commented.

"Nonetheless, what is significant about this investigation is the rigorous, comparison-based measurement of these differences across a wide array of physical indicators employing findings from in excess of 58,000 individuals," the professional noted.

This research delivers strong evidence of the extent of side effects, some of which are more common than others. Typical depression drug unwanted effects may comprise:

• stomach problems (queasiness, loose stools, blockage)
• intimacy issues (lowered desire, orgasmic dysfunction)
• weight changes (addition or decrease, depending on the agent)
• sleep disturbances (inability to sleep or sleepiness)
• mouth dryness, sweating, head pain

Meanwhile, rarer but medically important adverse reactions may comprise:

• increases in blood pressure or cardiac rhythm (particularly with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and some tricyclic antidepressants)
• hyponatremia (notably in elderly individuals, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• liver enzyme elevations
• QTc extension (chance of arrhythmia, particularly with one medication and certain tricyclics)
• reduced emotions or apathy

"One thing to consider regarding this matter is that there are several varying categories of antidepressants, which lead to the distinct unwanted medication reactions," a different professional stated.

"Moreover, antidepressant medications can influence each person variably, and adverse effects can range depending on the specific medication, amount, and personal elements including metabolism or co-occurring conditions."

Although several adverse reactions, like changes in sleep, appetite, or vitality, are quite frequent and often enhance as time passes, others may be less common or longer-lasting.

Antidepressant medication side effects may vary in seriousness, which could require a change in your medication.

"A adjustment in antidepressant may be necessary if the patient experiences ongoing or unbearable unwanted effects that don't get better with time or management strategies," a expert stated.

"Additionally, if there is an emergence of recent medical issues that may be worsened by the present drug, for example hypertension, arrhythmia, or significant increased body weight."

Patients may also think about consulting with your doctor about any absence of significant progress in depression-related or worry indicators following an adequate testing period. An adequate trial period is typically 4–8 weeks at a therapeutic amount.

Personal inclination is additionally significant. Some people may choose to avoid certain side effects, such as intimacy issues or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition