Depression Drug Side Effects Such as Weight, Blood Pressure Variations Vary Depending on Medication

• An extensive latest study discovered that the adverse reactions of antidepressant medications vary substantially by drug.
• Some drugs led to weight loss, while others caused increased body weight.
• Pulse rate and BP additionally diverged significantly across medications.
• Individuals encountering continuing, serious, or concerning adverse reactions must discuss with a physician.

New investigations has revealed that antidepressant side effects may be more diverse than once assumed.

This extensive research, released on the 21st of October, analyzed the impact of depression treatments on over 58,000 individuals within the first 60 days of beginning medication.

These investigators studied 151 research projects of 30 drugs frequently used to treat clinical depression. Although not every patient develops adverse reactions, some of the most frequent noted in the research were variations in weight, blood pressure, and metabolic indicators.

There were striking disparities between antidepressant medications. As an illustration, an two-month regimen of one medication was linked to an average weight loss of about 2.4 kilograms (roughly 5.3 pounds), while maprotiline individuals gained almost 2 kg in the identical timeframe.

There were also, notable changes in cardiac function: fluvoxamine often would reduce pulse rate, while nortriptyline increased it, creating a disparity of approximately 21 beats per minute among the both treatments. Arterial pressure varied as well, with an 11 mmHg disparity noted across one drug and doxepin.

Clinical professionals commented that the study's conclusions aren't recent or startling to psychiatric specialists.

"It has long been understood that various depression drugs differ in their influences on body weight, BP, and further metabolic indicators," one professional commented.

"However, what is remarkable about this investigation is the thorough, comparative quantification of these disparities throughout a wide range of physical indicators using data from in excess of 58,000 individuals," this specialist noted.

The study provides strong evidence of the degree of side effects, several of which are more common than others. Common depression drug side effects may encompass:

• digestive issues (nausea, loose stools, irregularity)
• intimacy issues (decreased libido, inability to orgasm)
• body weight fluctuations (addition or reduction, based on the agent)
• rest issues (sleeplessness or sedation)
• oral dehydration, perspiration, head pain

Additionally, less common but medically important adverse reactions may encompass:

• increases in blood pressure or cardiac rhythm (especially with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
• low sodium (especially in senior patients, with SSRIs and SNRIs)
• liver enzyme elevations
• Corrected QT interval extension (risk of abnormal heart rhythm, particularly with one medication and certain tricyclics)
• diminished feelings or indifference

"An important point to note regarding this matter is that there are various varying classes of antidepressants, which result in the varying negative drug reactions," another professional stated.

"Furthermore, antidepressant medications can influence each person variably, and unwanted reactions can range based on the particular drug, amount, and patient considerations such as metabolic rate or comorbidities."

While several side effects, such as variations in sleep, appetite, or energy levels, are fairly typical and frequently improve with time, other effects may be less typical or longer-lasting.

Antidepressant medication adverse reactions may differ in severity, which could warrant a change in your medication.

"A change in antidepressant may be appropriate if the person encounters continuing or intolerable unwanted effects that do not improve with passing days or supportive measures," one specialist said.

"Furthermore, if there is an emergence of new medical issues that may be aggravated by the present drug, for example elevated BP, abnormal heart rhythm, or substantial weight gain."

Individuals may furthermore think about speaking with your doctor concerning any deficiency of meaningful improvement in depression-related or worry signs subsequent to an adequate evaluation duration. An sufficient testing period is generally 4–8 weeks duration at a therapeutic amount.

Individual preference is furthermore crucial. Some individuals may want to prevent specific side effects, like sexual dysfunction or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition