Depression Drug Unwanted Effects Including Weight, Blood Pressure Variations Differ Depending on Medication

• A large new study discovered that the side effects of antidepressants vary considerably by drug.
• Certain medications caused weight loss, while other medications led to added mass.
• Heart rate and BP additionally differed notably between drugs.
• Patients experiencing persistent, intense, or worrisome side effects must consult a healthcare professional.

Recent research has revealed that antidepressant side effects may be more diverse than once assumed.

This large-scale investigation, issued on the 21st of October, examined the influence of antidepressant medications on more than 58,000 participants within the beginning two months of starting treatment.

These investigators analyzed 151 investigations of 30 drugs frequently employed to manage depression. While not everyone experiences side effects, certain of the most frequent observed in the research were variations in body weight, blood pressure, and metabolic indicators.

The study revealed significant variations among antidepressant medications. For instance, an eight-week regimen of agomelatine was connected with an typical reduction in body weight of about 2.4 kilograms (roughly 5.3 pounds), while maprotiline individuals increased almost 2 kg in the identical duration.

Furthermore, significant changes in cardiovascular activity: fluvoxamine was likely to decrease cardiac rhythm, whereas nortriptyline elevated it, producing a disparity of approximately 21 heartbeats per minute among the both treatments. Arterial pressure varied too, with an 11 mmHg difference seen among nortriptyline and doxepin.

Healthcare experts observed that the research's conclusions are not novel or surprising to psychiatrists.

"Clinicians have long recognized that different antidepressant medications range in their influences on body weight, BP, and other metabolic measures," one specialist commented.

"However, what is significant about this investigation is the comprehensive, relative quantification of these variations throughout a extensive spectrum of physical indicators utilizing findings from in excess of 58,000 participants," the expert added.

This research offers strong evidence of the degree of side effects, several of which are more common than others. Typical antidepressant medication side effects may comprise:

• stomach problems (nausea, bowel issues, blockage)
• intimacy issues (decreased libido, anorgasmia)
• weight changes (increase or reduction, according to the drug)
• sleep problems (insomnia or sleepiness)
• dry mouth, sweating, headache

At the same time, less common but therapeutically relevant side effects may comprise:

• rises in arterial pressure or cardiac rhythm (notably with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and some tricyclic antidepressants)
• low sodium (particularly in senior patients, with SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• elevated hepatic parameters
• QTc prolongation (chance of irregular heartbeat, particularly with citalopram and some tricyclic antidepressants)
• reduced emotions or indifference

"A key factor to remember in this context is that there are various varying types of antidepressants, which lead to the different adverse drug side effects," a different specialist stated.

"Moreover, antidepressant drugs can impact each person variably, and negative effects can range depending on the specific pharmaceutical, dose, and personal considerations such as metabolism or co-occurring conditions."

Although some side effects, including changes in rest, appetite, or vitality, are quite common and frequently enhance over time, other effects may be less typical or longer-lasting.

Depression drug unwanted effects may range in seriousness, which could warrant a adjustment in your treatment.

"An adjustment in depression drug may be appropriate if the person experiences persistent or intolerable adverse reactions that do not improve with passing days or supportive care," a expert commented.

"Moreover, if there is an emergence of recently developed health problems that may be aggravated by the current treatment, for instance high blood pressure, arrhythmia, or substantial increased body weight."

Patients may furthermore contemplate talking with your physician about any lack of significant improvement in depression-related or anxiety symptoms subsequent to an sufficient testing period. The adequate testing period is typically 4–8 weeks at a effective amount.

Patient preference is additionally important. Some patients may prefer to avoid particular unwanted effects, such as intimacy issues or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition