Antidepressant Medication Unwanted Effects Including Body Weight, Blood Pressure Fluctuations Differ Depending on Medication

• An comprehensive new study discovered that the unwanted effects of depression drugs range substantially by drug.
• Certain medications resulted in weight loss, while different drugs caused added mass.
• Heart rate and arterial pressure furthermore diverged significantly across treatments.
• Patients encountering persistent, serious, or worrisome adverse reactions ought to speak with a physician.

New studies has found that antidepressant unwanted effects may be more extensive than once assumed.

The large-scale research, issued on October 21, examined the influence of antidepressant medications on more than 58,000 participants within the initial 60 days of beginning treatment.

These scientists analyzed 151 investigations of 30 medications frequently prescribed to address depression. While not all individuals encounters adverse reactions, several of the most common observed in the study were changes in body weight, arterial pressure, and metabolic parameters.

The study revealed striking disparities across depression treatments. For instance, an two-month treatment period of agomelatine was associated with an mean reduction in body weight of about 2.4 kilos (about 5.3 lbs), whereas another drug patients increased nearly 2 kg in the identical duration.

There were also, significant changes in cardiovascular activity: fluvoxamine often would decrease cardiac rhythm, whereas another medication elevated it, causing a disparity of approximately 21 heartbeats per minute across the both treatments. Blood pressure fluctuated too, with an 11 mmHg disparity observed among one drug and another medication.

Healthcare specialists commented that the research's conclusions are not recent or surprising to mental health professionals.

"We've long known that various antidepressants vary in their effects on body weight, blood pressure, and additional metabolic indicators," one expert commented.

"Nevertheless, what is notable about this investigation is the thorough, relative quantification of these disparities across a extensive range of physiological parameters employing findings from in excess of 58,000 individuals," the professional noted.

This investigation delivers strong support of the extent of adverse reactions, several of which are more prevalent than others. Frequent antidepressant medication side effects may include:

• gastrointestinal symptoms (queasiness, bowel issues, constipation)
• intimacy issues (reduced sex drive, inability to orgasm)
• mass variations (increase or decrease, according to the medication)
• sleep disturbances (insomnia or sleepiness)
• dry mouth, perspiration, headache

Meanwhile, less common but medically important unwanted effects may comprise:

• rises in arterial pressure or heart rate (especially with SNRIs and some tricyclic antidepressants)
• low sodium (notably in older adults, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and SNRIs)
• increased liver enzymes
• Corrected QT interval extension (chance of abnormal heart rhythm, notably with one medication and some tricyclics)
• reduced emotions or indifference

"One thing to note regarding this matter is that there are various distinct types of depression drugs, which lead to the varying negative pharmaceutical reactions," a different expert explained.

"Additionally, depression treatments can affect every individual variably, and unwanted reactions can vary depending on the exact medication, dose, and individual factors like metabolism or co-occurring conditions."

While several adverse reactions, such as variations in sleep, hunger, or energy levels, are fairly common and commonly improve as time passes, different reactions may be less typical or longer-lasting.

Antidepressant medication unwanted effects may vary in intensity, which could require a modification in your medication.

"An change in antidepressant medication may be necessary if the person experiences persistent or unacceptable unwanted effects that fail to enhance with duration or supportive measures," a specialist said.

"Moreover, if there is an emergence of recent medical conditions that may be worsened by the current drug, for instance high blood pressure, arrhythmia, or substantial increased body weight."

Patients may also contemplate speaking with your healthcare provider concerning any absence of significant improvement in depression-related or anxiety-related signs after an appropriate testing period. The appropriate testing period is typically 4–8 weeks' time at a therapeutic dose.

Patient preference is also significant. Certain individuals may choose to avoid certain adverse reactions, like sexual problems or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition