Depression Drug Side Effects Including Weight, Blood Pressure Fluctuations Range Depending on Medication

• A large recent research found that the side effects of depression drugs differ substantially by drug.
• Certain medications led to weight loss, while different drugs caused added mass.
• Cardiac rhythm and BP also differed markedly among treatments.
• Individuals encountering ongoing, severe, or concerning side effects should discuss with a physician.

Recent research has discovered that antidepressant unwanted effects may be more diverse than earlier believed.

This extensive research, published on the 21st of October, examined the effect of antidepressant medications on in excess of 58,000 participants within the beginning two months of beginning treatment.

The scientists analyzed 151 research projects of 30 pharmaceuticals frequently used to treat major depression. While not every patient encounters side effects, several of the most frequent observed in the investigation were variations in body weight, arterial pressure, and metabolic indicators.

Researchers observed striking differences between antidepressant drugs. For example, an 60-day treatment period of agomelatine was linked to an mean decrease in mass of approximately 2.4 kilograms (approximately 5.3 pounds), whereas another drug users gained close to 2 kg in the same timeframe.

Furthermore, marked fluctuations in cardiovascular activity: one antidepressant tended to slow pulse rate, while another medication raised it, creating a difference of approximately 21 beats per minute between the both treatments. BP fluctuated as well, with an 11 millimeters of mercury disparity observed between nortriptyline and another medication.

Medical experts noted that the research's conclusions are not considered novel or surprising to mental health professionals.

"It has long been understood that distinct antidepressants range in their impacts on body weight, BP, and additional metabolic indicators," a specialist stated.

"Nonetheless, what is significant about this study is the rigorous, relative assessment of these differences throughout a broad array of bodily measurements using data from over 58,000 subjects," the specialist added.

This research offers robust proof of the magnitude of adverse reactions, certain of which are more common than others. Typical antidepressant unwanted effects may encompass:

• gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, bowel issues, irregularity)
• sexual dysfunction (decreased libido, orgasmic dysfunction)
• mass variations (addition or loss, depending on the drug)
• sleep problems (inability to sleep or sedation)
• oral dehydration, sweating, headache

Additionally, less frequent but medically important side effects may encompass:

• increases in arterial pressure or heart rate (notably with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and some tricyclic antidepressants)
• low sodium (particularly in senior patients, with SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• elevated hepatic parameters
• QTc extension (potential of arrhythmia, especially with one medication and some tricyclics)
• diminished feelings or apathy

"A key factor to consider here is that there are multiple varying classes of antidepressants, which lead to the varying unwanted pharmaceutical effects," another specialist commented.

"Furthermore, antidepressant medications can influence each patient variably, and unwanted reactions can vary depending on the exact pharmaceutical, dose, and personal considerations such as body chemistry or co-occurring conditions."

While several side effects, such as changes in sleep, appetite, or stamina, are reasonably typical and often enhance over time, others may be less common or continuing.

Antidepressant medication adverse reactions may range in intensity, which could justify a adjustment in your medication.

"An adjustment in antidepressant medication may be warranted if the person encounters ongoing or unacceptable adverse reactions that don't get better with passing days or supportive measures," a expert said.

"Additionally, if there is an appearance of recent medical issues that may be aggravated by the current drug, for example elevated BP, abnormal heart rhythm, or considerable weight gain."

You may furthermore think about speaking with your doctor regarding any deficiency of significant enhancement in depression-related or anxiety-related symptoms subsequent to an adequate testing period. The adequate trial period is generally 4–8 weeks duration at a therapeutic dosage.

Individual preference is additionally crucial. Certain patients may choose to evade particular side effects, such as sexual dysfunction or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition