Antidepressant Medication Adverse Reactions Like Weight, Blood Pressure Variations Vary by Drug

• An comprehensive new investigation determined that the adverse reactions of antidepressant medications vary substantially by drug.
• Certain pharmaceuticals caused weight loss, while different drugs led to increased body weight.
• Cardiac rhythm and arterial pressure additionally diverged notably between medications.
• Patients experiencing ongoing, severe, or concerning adverse reactions should consult a medical provider.

Recent investigations has discovered that antidepressant unwanted effects may be more varied than earlier believed.

The large-scale study, issued on October 21, examined the effect of antidepressant drugs on more than 58,000 individuals within the first eight weeks of commencing therapy.

These scientists studied 151 research projects of 30 pharmaceuticals frequently used to address depression. While not all individuals develops adverse reactions, some of the most frequent noted in the research were fluctuations in body weight, arterial pressure, and metabolic markers.

There were notable differences across antidepressant drugs. For example, an two-month regimen of agomelatine was linked to an average weight loss of around 2.4 kg (approximately 5.3 pounds), whereas maprotiline patients added close to 2 kg in the identical period.

Furthermore, significant changes in heart function: fluvoxamine tended to decrease pulse rate, whereas another medication elevated it, producing a disparity of about 21 beats per minute among the two medications. BP fluctuated too, with an 11 mmHg disparity observed among nortriptyline and doxepin.

Healthcare professionals noted that the study's results are not recent or startling to psychiatric specialists.

"We've long known that different antidepressants differ in their impacts on body weight, blood pressure, and further metabolic parameters," one specialist stated.

"Nonetheless, what is significant about this investigation is the thorough, relative quantification of these variations throughout a broad array of physiological parameters utilizing findings from over 58,000 participants," the professional commented.

This investigation delivers robust support of the extent of unwanted effects, several of which are more prevalent than different reactions. Common depression drug adverse reactions may encompass:

• gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, loose stools, irregularity)
• intimacy issues (lowered desire, anorgasmia)
• weight changes (increase or decrease, depending on the drug)
• rest issues (sleeplessness or drowsiness)
• dry mouth, sweating, head pain

Meanwhile, rarer but clinically significant side effects may comprise:

• rises in arterial pressure or pulse rate (especially with SNRIs and some tricyclic antidepressants)
• hyponatremia (especially in elderly individuals, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• increased liver enzymes
• QTc lengthening (risk of irregular heartbeat, especially with citalopram and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
• diminished feelings or apathy

"One thing to remember in this context is that there are several varying categories of antidepressant medications, which lead to the varying unwanted medication side effects," another specialist commented.

"Furthermore, antidepressant drugs can impact each person differently, and negative reactions can range depending on the particular drug, amount, and personal factors including metabolic rate or comorbidities."

Although several side effects, including changes in sleep, hunger, or energy levels, are reasonably common and commonly get better over time, other effects may be less frequent or continuing.

Antidepressant medication unwanted effects may range in severity, which could justify a modification in your treatment.

"An change in antidepressant medication may be appropriate if the patient experiences ongoing or intolerable unwanted effects that fail to enhance with passing days or supportive measures," one specialist commented.

"Moreover, if there is an development of new health problems that may be worsened by the existing drug, for instance elevated BP, arrhythmia, or substantial increased body weight."

You may also consider speaking with your healthcare provider concerning any deficiency of significant improvement in depression-related or anxiety-related signs subsequent to an appropriate testing period. An sufficient trial period is generally 4–8 weeks duration at a effective dose.

Patient inclination is additionally important. Certain individuals may want to prevent certain side effects, including sexual dysfunction or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition