Antidepressant Medication Side Effects Like Weight, Blood Pressure Fluctuations Range by Drug

• An large recent study determined that the side effects of depression drugs vary substantially by drug.
• Some drugs caused reduced body weight, while others caused weight gain.
• Cardiac rhythm and BP additionally diverged notably between medications.
• Those experiencing persistent, severe, or troubling unwanted effects must discuss with a physician.

Latest studies has revealed that antidepressant medication adverse reactions may be more extensive than earlier believed.

This large-scale study, released on the 21st of October, examined the influence of antidepressant medications on more than 58,000 participants within the first eight weeks of commencing therapy.

These researchers examined 151 studies of 30 pharmaceuticals frequently prescribed to manage clinical depression. Although not everyone experiences side effects, certain of the most prevalent recorded in the investigation were variations in weight, arterial pressure, and metabolic markers.

The study revealed notable disparities across depression treatments. For instance, an 60-day regimen of agomelatine was connected with an average decrease in mass of approximately 2.4 kilograms (about 5.3 lbs), whereas another drug patients gained almost 2 kg in the equivalent timeframe.

Furthermore, marked changes in heart function: one antidepressant tended to decrease pulse rate, while nortriptyline elevated it, producing a disparity of about 21 beats per minute among the two drugs. Arterial pressure differed as well, with an 11 millimeters of mercury disparity observed among nortriptyline and another medication.

Clinical experts commented that the research's findings are not novel or unexpected to psychiatric specialists.

"Clinicians have long recognized that different antidepressant medications range in their impacts on weight, arterial pressure, and further metabolic parameters," one expert commented.

"However, what is notable about this research is the rigorous, comparison-based assessment of these differences among a wide range of physical indicators using information from in excess of 58,000 individuals," the specialist noted.

This research delivers comprehensive evidence of the magnitude of adverse reactions, certain of which are more frequent than different reactions. Frequent antidepressant unwanted effects may include:

• gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, loose stools, blockage)
• sexual problems (reduced sex drive, anorgasmia)
• weight changes (addition or loss, according to the agent)
• rest issues (sleeplessness or drowsiness)
• oral dehydration, sweating, head pain

Additionally, less common but clinically significant unwanted effects may include:

• rises in blood pressure or heart rate (especially with SNRIs and certain tricyclics)
• reduced blood sodium (notably in older adults, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and SNRIs)
• increased liver enzymes
• Corrected QT interval extension (risk of irregular heartbeat, particularly with citalopram and some tricyclics)
• diminished feelings or lack of interest

"A key factor to consider here is that there are multiple different classes of depression drugs, which contribute to the different negative medication side effects," a different expert stated.

"Furthermore, antidepressant medications can affect each person variably, and negative side effects can range based on the exact drug, amount, and personal factors such as metabolism or simultaneous health issues."

While some unwanted effects, like fluctuations in sleep, hunger, or stamina, are quite frequent and often improve over time, others may be less common or longer-lasting.

Depression drug adverse reactions may vary in severity, which could warrant a change in your drug.

"An modification in antidepressant may be warranted if the individual experiences ongoing or unacceptable unwanted effects that fail to enhance with time or supportive care," one specialist stated.

"Additionally, if there is an appearance of new medical conditions that may be worsened by the existing medication, for example hypertension, arrhythmia, or significant mass addition."

You may additionally think about consulting with your doctor regarding any deficiency of significant improvement in low mood or anxiety indicators after an appropriate testing period. The sufficient trial period is typically 4–8 weeks duration at a effective dosage.

Personal inclination is furthermore crucial. Some individuals may want to avoid specific unwanted effects, such as sexual dysfunction or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition