Depression Drug Adverse Reactions Including Weight, BP Changes Differ Based on Pharmaceutical

• A comprehensive latest investigation found that the unwanted effects of antidepressant medications range significantly by drug.
• Certain pharmaceuticals resulted in reduced body weight, while other medications caused increased body weight.
• Heart rate and BP additionally varied notably between treatments.
• Those experiencing persistent, intense, or worrisome unwanted effects ought to speak with a medical provider.

New investigations has discovered that antidepressant medication adverse reactions may be more diverse than once assumed.

The large-scale study, issued on the 21st of October, assessed the impact of depression treatments on more than 58,000 individuals within the first 60 days of starting medication.

These researchers analyzed 151 studies of 30 pharmaceuticals typically employed to address major depression. Although not every patient encounters adverse reactions, several of the most prevalent noted in the study were variations in weight, BP, and metabolic parameters.

Researchers observed striking disparities between antidepressant drugs. As an illustration, an two-month course of agomelatine was connected with an average reduction in body weight of approximately 2.4 kg (approximately 5.3 pounds), while maprotiline individuals increased almost 2 kg in the same duration.

Additionally, significant variations in cardiovascular activity: one antidepressant tended to decrease pulse rate, while another medication increased it, creating a gap of about 21 heartbeats per minute among the two medications. Arterial pressure varied also, with an 11 mmHg disparity observed across nortriptyline and doxepin.

Medical experts noted that the research's results are not recent or surprising to psychiatrists.

"It has long been understood that different antidepressant medications differ in their influences on body weight, BP, and other metabolic parameters," a specialist stated.

"However, what is significant about this investigation is the comprehensive, relative assessment of these differences throughout a extensive array of physical indicators using information from more than 58,000 individuals," this professional commented.

The research provides strong proof of the magnitude of adverse reactions, several of which are more common than different reactions. Common antidepressant adverse reactions may encompass:

• digestive issues (nausea, bowel issues, blockage)
• sexual dysfunction (reduced sex drive, anorgasmia)
• weight changes (addition or loss, based on the medication)
• sleep disturbances (sleeplessness or sleepiness)
• mouth dryness, perspiration, headache

Additionally, less frequent but clinically significant side effects may comprise:

• rises in blood pressure or heart rate (notably with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
• reduced blood sodium (notably in older adults, with SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• liver enzyme elevations
• QTc prolongation (risk of irregular heartbeat, especially with one medication and certain tricyclics)
• emotional blunting or indifference

"A key factor to remember here is that there are various distinct classes of depression drugs, which contribute to the different negative drug effects," a different professional commented.

"Moreover, antidepressant medications can affect each patient variably, and unwanted side effects can vary according to the specific drug, dosage, and individual factors such as body chemistry or simultaneous health issues."

While certain side effects, such as fluctuations in sleep, hunger, or energy levels, are reasonably common and commonly improve over time, other effects may be less common or more persistent.

Antidepressant adverse reactions may differ in intensity, which could justify a change in your drug.

"A change in depression drug may be appropriate if the patient suffers persistent or unacceptable unwanted effects that do not improve with duration or management strategies," one professional commented.

"Furthermore, if there is an development of new medical issues that may be aggravated by the present medication, for example hypertension, abnormal heart rhythm, or significant mass addition."

Patients may furthermore think about talking with your healthcare provider about any lack of substantial enhancement in low mood or anxiety symptoms following an sufficient evaluation duration. The sufficient testing period is typically 4–8 weeks duration at a therapeutic dosage.

Individual inclination is furthermore crucial. Some patients may prefer to evade specific unwanted effects, including sexual problems or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition