Antidepressant Adverse Reactions Such as Weight, BP Variations Vary Depending on Medication

• A extensive new investigation discovered that the unwanted effects of depression drugs range considerably by drug.
• Certain drugs caused decreased mass, while others resulted in weight gain.
• Cardiac rhythm and blood pressure furthermore diverged significantly between medications.
• Patients suffering from persistent, severe, or troubling unwanted effects must speak with a healthcare professional.

Latest research has found that depression drug side effects may be more diverse than previously thought.

This large-scale investigation, published on the 21st of October, analyzed the influence of antidepressant medications on more than 58,000 participants within the first two months of starting therapy.

The scientists analyzed 151 research projects of 30 drugs commonly prescribed to address major depression. While not all individuals experiences unwanted effects, several of the most common noted in the investigation were changes in body weight, blood pressure, and metabolic parameters.

Researchers observed significant disparities among antidepressant drugs. For instance, an two-month regimen of one medication was associated with an mean decrease in mass of approximately 2.4 kilos (about 5.3 lbs), whereas another drug individuals increased nearly 2 kg in the identical duration.

Furthermore, marked variations in heart function: fluvoxamine often would decrease heart rate, in contrast another medication raised it, creating a difference of approximately 21 heartbeats per minute between the two medications. Blood pressure fluctuated too, with an 11 millimeters of mercury disparity observed across nortriptyline and another medication.

Clinical specialists observed that the research's results aren't new or unexpected to psychiatric specialists.

"We've long known that various depression drugs differ in their influences on body weight, BP, and additional metabolic measures," a expert explained.

"Nonetheless, what is significant about this study is the thorough, comparison-based measurement of these disparities across a wide spectrum of physiological parameters using findings from over 58,000 subjects," the specialist commented.

This study offers robust support of the extent of adverse reactions, some of which are more frequent than others. Typical antidepressant medication unwanted effects may include:

• stomach problems (sickness, diarrhea, blockage)
• sexual problems (decreased libido, orgasmic dysfunction)
• mass variations (addition or decrease, according to the medication)
• sleep problems (sleeplessness or drowsiness)
• dry mouth, perspiration, head pain

At the same time, less common but therapeutically relevant unwanted effects may include:

• increases in blood pressure or cardiac rhythm (especially with SNRIs and some tricyclic antidepressants)
• low sodium (particularly in senior patients, with SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• liver enzyme elevations
• QTc prolongation (risk of arrhythmia, especially with citalopram and certain tricyclics)
• emotional blunting or lack of interest

"An important point to remember here is that there are various distinct types of antidepressant medications, which result in the distinct unwanted drug effects," a different professional commented.

"Moreover, antidepressant drugs can affect each person distinctly, and unwanted effects can differ based on the exact drug, dose, and personal factors including metabolic rate or co-occurring conditions."

Although certain adverse reactions, such as changes in sleep, appetite, or vitality, are quite frequent and often get better as time passes, different reactions may be less common or more persistent.

Depression drug adverse reactions may vary in severity, which could warrant a modification in your treatment.

"A adjustment in antidepressant medication may be warranted if the individual suffers ongoing or intolerable side effects that fail to enhance with duration or management strategies," one specialist stated.

"Additionally, if there is an appearance of recent health problems that may be worsened by the current treatment, for example elevated BP, abnormal heart rhythm, or considerable mass addition."

Individuals may furthermore think about speaking with your doctor concerning any absence of significant progress in low mood or anxiety-related signs subsequent to an sufficient testing period. The sufficient trial period is generally 4–8 weeks' time at a treatment dose.

Patient preference is furthermore significant. Certain patients may prefer to prevent particular unwanted effects, like sexual dysfunction or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition