Depression Drug Adverse Reactions Including Weight, BP Changes Vary Depending on Medication

• A comprehensive recent research found that the adverse reactions of depression drugs differ significantly by drug.
• Some pharmaceuticals caused reduced body weight, whereas other medications led to added mass.
• Cardiac rhythm and BP furthermore varied markedly between drugs.
• Patients experiencing continuing, serious, or concerning unwanted effects should consult a healthcare professional.

New research has found that antidepressant medication side effects may be more diverse than once assumed.

This comprehensive investigation, issued on the 21st of October, assessed the effect of antidepressant medications on more than 58,000 subjects within the first 60 days of beginning therapy.

These investigators analyzed 151 research projects of 30 pharmaceuticals frequently prescribed to manage clinical depression. While not everyone encounters unwanted effects, some of the most prevalent recorded in the investigation were fluctuations in body weight, arterial pressure, and metabolic indicators.

There were striking disparities between depression treatments. For instance, an two-month course of agomelatine was connected with an mean weight loss of around 2.4 kilos (approximately 5.3 pounds), while another drug individuals added nearly 2 kg in the same timeframe.

There were also, marked fluctuations in heart function: fluvoxamine tended to decrease cardiac rhythm, while nortriptyline raised it, causing a difference of approximately 21 heartbeats per minute across the both treatments. Blood pressure varied also, with an 11 millimeters of mercury variation observed across nortriptyline and doxepin.

Clinical professionals commented that the investigation's findings are not considered novel or surprising to mental health professionals.

"Clinicians have long recognized that distinct antidepressants differ in their impacts on weight, arterial pressure, and further metabolic measures," a specialist commented.

"However, what is notable about this investigation is the rigorous, relative quantification of these disparities among a broad array of physical indicators utilizing data from more than 58,000 subjects," the specialist commented.

This study offers robust support of the degree of unwanted effects, several of which are more frequent than other effects. Frequent antidepressant adverse reactions may comprise:

• gastrointestinal symptoms (queasiness, bowel issues, blockage)
• sexual dysfunction (reduced sex drive, inability to orgasm)
• mass variations (addition or decrease, depending on the medication)
• rest issues (insomnia or sedation)
• dry mouth, sweating, head pain

Additionally, rarer but medically important unwanted effects may comprise:

• increases in blood pressure or heart rate (notably with SNRIs and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
• hyponatremia (notably in elderly individuals, with SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• liver enzyme elevations
• QTc prolongation (risk of irregular heartbeat, especially with citalopram and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
• reduced emotions or lack of interest

"A key factor to note in this context is that there are various varying classes of depression drugs, which result in the different adverse medication reactions," another specialist stated.

"Moreover, depression treatments can influence each person distinctly, and adverse side effects can differ according to the particular medication, dose, and patient considerations including body chemistry or comorbidities."

While certain adverse reactions, including fluctuations in rest, hunger, or stamina, are reasonably frequent and commonly improve over time, other effects may be less frequent or longer-lasting.

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

"An modification in antidepressant may be appropriate if the patient experiences ongoing or unbearable unwanted effects that fail to enhance with passing days or management strategies," a expert stated.

"Moreover, if there is an development of recent medical issues that may be aggravated by the present treatment, such as hypertension, irregular heartbeat, or significant weight gain."

Individuals may also contemplate consulting with your doctor regarding any deficiency of significant progress in depression-related or worry symptoms after an sufficient testing period. The appropriate evaluation duration is generally 4–8 weeks' time at a treatment dosage.

Individual choice is additionally crucial. Certain individuals may want to prevent particular adverse reactions, including intimacy issues or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition