Antidepressant Side Effects Including Body Weight, Blood Pressure Changes Vary by Drug

• An comprehensive latest study discovered that the side effects of depression drugs vary considerably by drug.
• Some drugs led to decreased mass, while different drugs led to increased body weight.
• Pulse rate and blood pressure also diverged significantly across medications.
• Individuals suffering from continuing, serious, or worrisome side effects must consult a physician.

New studies has discovered that antidepressant unwanted effects may be more extensive than previously thought.

This large-scale research, issued on the 21st of October, analyzed the influence of antidepressant drugs on in excess of 58,000 individuals within the first two months of starting medication.

These scientists studied 151 investigations of 30 pharmaceuticals commonly used to treat major depression. While not every patient develops side effects, some of the most common recorded in the investigation were changes in body weight, arterial pressure, and metabolic indicators.

There were striking disparities between depression treatments. As an illustration, an two-month regimen of agomelatine was connected with an mean reduction in body weight of about 2.4 kilograms (about 5.3 lbs), while maprotiline individuals gained close to 2 kg in the identical duration.

Furthermore, marked variations in cardiovascular activity: fluvoxamine often would reduce cardiac rhythm, in contrast another medication increased it, producing a difference of approximately 21 beats per minute among the both treatments. Blood pressure varied as well, with an 11 millimeters of mercury variation observed between one drug and another medication.

Healthcare experts noted that the investigation's conclusions are not considered recent or surprising to psychiatric specialists.

"Clinicians have long recognized that distinct antidepressants differ in their impacts on body weight, blood pressure, and further metabolic measures," a expert commented.

"Nevertheless, what is notable about this study is the comprehensive, relative assessment of these variations among a broad range of bodily measurements employing information from in excess of 58,000 individuals," the specialist commented.

This investigation offers strong support of the degree of adverse reactions, certain of which are more common than different reactions. Typical antidepressant medication side effects may include:

• stomach problems (nausea, loose stools, irregularity)
• intimacy issues (reduced sex drive, inability to orgasm)
• weight changes (gain or loss, depending on the drug)
• sleep problems (inability to sleep or sedation)
• oral dehydration, perspiration, head pain

Additionally, less frequent but therapeutically relevant side effects may encompass:

• elevations in BP or heart rate (especially with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and some tricyclic antidepressants)
• low sodium (particularly in older adults, with SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• elevated hepatic parameters
• Corrected QT interval extension (chance of irregular heartbeat, notably with one medication and some tricyclic antidepressants)
• reduced emotions or indifference

"A key factor to note regarding this matter is that there are several varying types of antidepressants, which contribute to the varying adverse pharmaceutical side effects," a different specialist commented.

"Additionally, antidepressant drugs can influence every individual differently, and adverse reactions can range according to the particular medication, dosage, and personal elements like metabolic rate or simultaneous health issues."

Although several unwanted effects, such as changes in rest, appetite, or vitality, are reasonably typical and often improve as time passes, others may be less frequent or longer-lasting.

Depression drug side effects may range in severity, which could justify a change in your treatment.

"An modification in depression drug may be appropriate if the person suffers persistent or unacceptable adverse reactions that fail to enhance with passing days or supportive care," one professional commented.

"Additionally, if there is an appearance of recent medical conditions that may be worsened by the current treatment, such as hypertension, abnormal heart rhythm, or significant mass addition."

Patients may furthermore consider consulting with your doctor regarding any absence of substantial progress in depression-related or anxiety-related signs following an sufficient evaluation duration. The sufficient trial period is generally 4–8 weeks duration at a therapeutic amount.

Personal inclination is furthermore crucial. Certain people may choose to prevent certain unwanted effects, including sexual dysfunction or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition