Depression Drug Side Effects Such as Weight, BP Changes Vary by Drug

• A comprehensive latest study found that the adverse reactions of antidepressant medications differ substantially by drug.
• Some medications caused reduced body weight, while others led to weight gain.
• Cardiac rhythm and arterial pressure additionally diverged notably across medications.
• Those experiencing persistent, severe, or troubling adverse reactions ought to speak with a physician.

Latest studies has found that antidepressant medication side effects may be more diverse than previously thought.

The large-scale study, released on October 21st, examined the impact of depression treatments on over 58,000 participants within the initial two months of beginning medication.

The investigators examined 151 research projects of 30 drugs commonly used to manage major depression. While not every patient develops adverse reactions, several of the most prevalent recorded in the study were variations in weight, blood pressure, and metabolic parameters.

The study revealed striking disparities between antidepressant drugs. For example, an eight-week regimen of one medication was connected with an typical weight loss of about 2.4 kg (about 5.3 lbs), while another drug patients gained nearly 2 kg in the identical period.

Additionally, notable fluctuations in cardiac function: fluvoxamine was likely to decrease pulse rate, in contrast nortriptyline elevated it, causing a gap of about 21 heartbeats per minute across the two drugs. Arterial pressure fluctuated as well, with an 11 mmHg difference observed among nortriptyline and another medication.

Medical specialists observed that the study's results are not considered recent or surprising to mental health professionals.

"Clinicians have long recognized that different antidepressant medications differ in their impacts on weight, arterial pressure, and additional metabolic indicators," one professional stated.

"Nonetheless, what is remarkable about this study is the rigorous, comparative assessment of these differences among a wide array of bodily measurements utilizing information from in excess of 58,000 individuals," this professional added.

This study delivers robust support of the extent of unwanted effects, certain of which are more frequent than different reactions. Typical antidepressant side effects may comprise:

• stomach problems (sickness, loose stools, irregularity)
• sexual problems (lowered desire, inability to orgasm)
• body weight fluctuations (gain or decrease, based on the medication)
• rest issues (sleeplessness or drowsiness)
• oral dehydration, sweating, headache

At the same time, less common but medically important adverse reactions may encompass:

• increases in arterial pressure or heart rate (particularly with SNRIs and some tricyclic antidepressants)
• low sodium (especially in elderly individuals, with SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• elevated hepatic parameters
• QTc extension (chance of irregular heartbeat, notably with citalopram and some tricyclic antidepressants)
• reduced emotions or apathy

"One thing to consider regarding this matter is that there are multiple different categories of antidepressants, which lead to the distinct unwanted medication reactions," a different specialist explained.

"Furthermore, depression treatments can impact every individual distinctly, and adverse side effects can differ depending on the specific medication, dosage, and personal considerations such as body chemistry or comorbidities."

While several side effects, including fluctuations in rest, appetite, or stamina, are fairly typical and frequently get better over time, others may be less frequent or continuing.

Depression drug side effects may vary in seriousness, which could require a modification in your drug.

"A adjustment in depression drug may be warranted if the patient encounters persistent or unbearable adverse reactions that do not improve with passing days or management strategies," a specialist said.

"Moreover, if there is an appearance of recent health problems that may be aggravated by the existing medication, for example elevated BP, abnormal heart rhythm, or considerable mass addition."

Patients may also contemplate talking with your doctor regarding any deficiency of meaningful progress in depression-related or anxiety symptoms after an adequate evaluation duration. The adequate evaluation duration is usually 4–8 weeks' time at a treatment dosage.

Personal inclination is furthermore important. Some individuals may choose to prevent certain unwanted effects, including intimacy issues or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition