Antidepressant Unwanted Effects Including Body Weight, Blood Pressure Fluctuations Differ by Drug

• A comprehensive new research found that the unwanted effects of antidepressant medications vary considerably by drug.
• Some pharmaceuticals resulted in decreased mass, while different drugs resulted in weight gain.
• Pulse rate and BP additionally differed notably across drugs.
• Those suffering from persistent, severe, or concerning adverse reactions should consult a physician.

Latest research has found that antidepressant side effects may be more varied than earlier believed.

This large-scale research, published on the 21st of October, analyzed the impact of depression treatments on over 58,000 individuals within the beginning two months of starting therapy.

The scientists analyzed 151 studies of 30 pharmaceuticals frequently used to manage clinical depression. Although not every patient develops unwanted effects, several of the most common recorded in the research were changes in body weight, arterial pressure, and metabolic markers.

Researchers observed significant differences between antidepressant drugs. As an illustration, an eight-week course of one medication was connected with an average decrease in mass of approximately 2.4 kilos (roughly 5.3 lbs), while another drug patients gained close to 2 kg in the equivalent period.

Furthermore, significant variations in heart function: fluvoxamine often would reduce heart rate, whereas another medication raised it, creating a gap of around 21 beats per minute between the both treatments. BP varied also, with an 11 mmHg difference observed across one drug and doxepin.

Healthcare professionals observed that the research's conclusions are not recent or startling to psychiatric specialists.

"It has long been understood that different antidepressants differ in their impacts on body weight, BP, and further metabolic indicators," one expert stated.

"However, what is significant about this investigation is the thorough, comparison-based measurement of these variations among a extensive spectrum of physical indicators employing data from in excess of 58,000 participants," the expert commented.

This research offers strong support of the extent of adverse reactions, certain of which are more frequent than different reactions. Frequent antidepressant medication side effects may encompass:

• digestive issues (nausea, diarrhea, constipation)
• sexual dysfunction (lowered desire, inability to orgasm)
• body weight fluctuations (addition or decrease, based on the medication)
• rest issues (inability to sleep or drowsiness)
• dry mouth, sweating, headache

Meanwhile, rarer but medically important side effects may comprise:

• elevations in arterial pressure or heart rate (particularly with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and some tricyclics)
• reduced blood sodium (notably in older adults, with SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• liver enzyme elevations
• QTc extension (risk of arrhythmia, especially with one medication and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
• reduced emotions or lack of interest

"A key factor to note regarding this matter is that there are multiple varying types of antidepressants, which result in the distinct negative drug reactions," another specialist stated.

"Additionally, antidepressant medications can affect each person variably, and negative side effects can range depending on the specific drug, dose, and patient elements including body chemistry or simultaneous health issues."

Although several side effects, including fluctuations in sleep, hunger, or energy levels, are fairly common and frequently get better with time, different reactions may be less typical or longer-lasting.

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

"A adjustment in antidepressant may be appropriate if the patient suffers continuing or unacceptable adverse reactions that fail to enhance with time or supportive measures," one expert said.

"Moreover, if there is an development of new medical conditions that may be worsened by the existing drug, for instance hypertension, irregular heartbeat, or considerable mass addition."

Patients may additionally think about talking with your physician concerning any absence of significant progress in depressive or worry signs after an appropriate trial period. The adequate evaluation duration is typically 4–8 weeks' time at a therapeutic amount.

Personal preference is additionally important. Certain individuals may choose to evade specific adverse reactions, like sexual problems or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition