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

• An comprehensive new study determined that the adverse reactions of depression drugs vary significantly by drug.
• Some pharmaceuticals resulted in decreased mass, whereas other medications led to added mass.
• Heart rate and arterial pressure also varied markedly among drugs.
• Individuals experiencing continuing, severe, or troubling side effects must discuss with a healthcare professional.

Recent research has revealed that antidepressant medication side effects may be more varied than earlier believed.

This extensive study, published on October 21, assessed the impact of depression treatments on in excess of 58,000 participants within the first eight weeks of starting medication.

The scientists studied 151 research projects of 30 pharmaceuticals commonly used to address major depression. While not all individuals encounters unwanted effects, several of the most common noted in the research were fluctuations in body weight, blood pressure, and metabolic parameters.

The study revealed striking differences among antidepressant medications. For instance, an 60-day treatment period of agomelatine was connected with an average reduction in body weight of approximately 2.4 kilograms (approximately 5.3 pounds), while maprotiline patients added nearly 2 kg in the equivalent period.

Additionally, marked variations in heart function: one antidepressant was likely to slow cardiac rhythm, while nortriptyline raised it, causing a difference of around 21 heartbeats per minute between the two drugs. Arterial pressure differed too, with an 11 mmHg disparity observed across nortriptyline and doxepin.

Clinical experts commented that the investigation's findings are not considered new or startling to mental health professionals.

"We've long known that different antidepressants vary in their effects on body weight, arterial pressure, and additional metabolic indicators," a specialist explained.

"However, what is remarkable about this research is the rigorous, comparative assessment of these variations throughout a broad range of bodily measurements using data from in excess of 58,000 individuals," this specialist noted.

This study offers robust proof of the extent of adverse reactions, certain of which are more frequent than others. Frequent depression drug adverse reactions may include:

• stomach problems (sickness, loose stools, irregularity)
• sexual dysfunction (lowered desire, orgasmic dysfunction)
• weight changes (increase or decrease, based on the drug)
• sleep problems (inability to sleep or sedation)
• mouth dryness, moisture, headache

At the same time, rarer but clinically significant side effects may encompass:

• rises in blood pressure or heart rate (notably with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and some tricyclics)
• low sodium (notably in older adults, with SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• elevated hepatic parameters
• Corrected QT interval lengthening (potential of arrhythmia, particularly with one medication and some tricyclic antidepressants)
• reduced emotions or apathy

"A key factor to remember regarding this matter is that there are various different categories of depression drugs, which contribute to the different unwanted medication reactions," a different specialist stated.

"Moreover, antidepressant drugs can affect each patient distinctly, and negative reactions can differ depending on the specific pharmaceutical, amount, and personal factors including metabolism or co-occurring conditions."

While some unwanted effects, including fluctuations in rest, hunger, or energy levels, are quite common and often enhance over time, other effects may be less common or more persistent.

Antidepressant medication unwanted effects may differ in intensity, which could justify a change in your drug.

"An change in depression drug may be warranted if the person experiences ongoing or intolerable side effects that do not improve with duration or supportive care," one expert commented.

"Additionally, if there is an appearance of recently developed medical conditions that may be aggravated by the present medication, for example elevated BP, abnormal heart rhythm, or considerable mass addition."

You may also consider speaking with your healthcare provider regarding any absence of meaningful improvement in depression-related or worry symptoms after an adequate testing period. The adequate evaluation duration is generally 4–8 weeks at a therapeutic dosage.

Patient choice is additionally crucial. Certain people may want to avoid certain side effects, like intimacy issues or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition