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

• An comprehensive recent study discovered that the unwanted effects of antidepressant medications vary substantially by drug.
• Some pharmaceuticals resulted in weight loss, whereas other medications caused weight gain.
• Cardiac rhythm and blood pressure also varied notably among drugs.
• Patients experiencing continuing, intense, or troubling adverse reactions must speak with a physician.

Latest investigations has revealed that antidepressant medication adverse reactions may be more extensive than previously thought.

The comprehensive investigation, published on the 21st of October, analyzed the effect of antidepressant medications on over 58,000 individuals within the initial 60 days of starting medication.

These investigators analyzed 151 studies of 30 pharmaceuticals frequently employed to manage depression. While not all individuals encounters unwanted effects, some of the most prevalent observed in the study were changes in weight, arterial pressure, and metabolic parameters.

Researchers observed notable differences across antidepressant drugs. As an illustration, an two-month treatment period of agomelatine was associated with an average reduction in body weight of about 2.4 kg (about 5.3 lbs), whereas another drug users gained close to 2 kg in the equivalent period.

There were also, marked variations in cardiovascular activity: one antidepressant was likely to slow cardiac rhythm, in contrast nortriptyline elevated it, creating a disparity of around 21 heartbeats per minute across the two drugs. Blood pressure varied also, with an 11 mmHg difference observed across one drug and doxepin.

Healthcare professionals commented that the investigation's findings are not considered recent or startling to psychiatric specialists.

"We've long known that distinct depression drugs vary in their effects on body weight, arterial pressure, and other metabolic parameters," a professional explained.

"However, what is notable about this research is the comprehensive, comparison-based quantification of these variations across a extensive array of physiological parameters utilizing information from more than 58,000 participants," this expert noted.

The study delivers robust support of the magnitude of side effects, some of which are more frequent than other effects. Common antidepressant adverse reactions may include:

• digestive issues (sickness, diarrhea, irregularity)
• sexual dysfunction (reduced sex drive, inability to orgasm)
• weight changes (increase or decrease, depending on the agent)
• sleep disturbances (insomnia or sedation)
• mouth dryness, sweating, headache

At the same time, rarer but medically important adverse reactions may include:

• rises in BP or heart rate (notably with SNRIs and certain tricyclics)
• hyponatremia (notably in senior patients, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and SNRIs)
• increased liver enzymes
• Corrected QT interval lengthening (chance of irregular heartbeat, notably with citalopram and some tricyclic antidepressants)
• diminished feelings or lack of interest

"One thing to consider regarding this matter is that there are multiple different classes of depression drugs, which result in the distinct negative pharmaceutical reactions," another professional explained.

"Additionally, antidepressant drugs can affect every individual differently, and unwanted effects can range according to the exact medication, amount, and personal elements such as metabolic rate or co-occurring conditions."

While several adverse reactions, such as fluctuations in rest, appetite, or stamina, are reasonably typical and commonly enhance with time, different reactions may be less common or more persistent.

Antidepressant medication adverse reactions may range in seriousness, which could require a modification in your drug.

"A adjustment in antidepressant may be warranted if the individual suffers persistent or intolerable adverse reactions that don't get better with time or supportive measures," one professional said.

"Moreover, if there is an appearance of recently developed medical issues that may be aggravated by the present medication, such as high blood pressure, arrhythmia, or considerable mass addition."

Individuals may additionally contemplate speaking with your physician concerning any lack of substantial improvement in depression-related or anxiety-related symptoms after an adequate testing period. An sufficient evaluation duration is usually 4–8 weeks duration at a therapeutic amount.

Patient choice is furthermore crucial. Certain individuals may prefer to evade certain unwanted effects, like sexual dysfunction or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition