Antidepressant Medication Adverse Reactions Including Body Weight, Blood Pressure Variations Differ by Drug

• A extensive latest investigation found that the unwanted effects of depression drugs differ substantially by drug.
• Certain pharmaceuticals caused reduced body weight, whereas other medications led to weight gain.
• Cardiac rhythm and BP also differed markedly across drugs.
• Patients encountering ongoing, serious, or worrisome side effects should consult a physician.

New investigations has discovered that antidepressant side effects may be more varied than once assumed.

The comprehensive study, issued on October 21, examined the effect of depression treatments on over 58,000 subjects within the initial eight weeks of starting treatment.

The scientists studied 151 research projects of 30 pharmaceuticals typically employed to treat major depression. Although not every patient develops adverse reactions, some of the most prevalent observed in the investigation were changes in weight, blood pressure, and metabolic markers.

There were significant disparities across antidepressant medications. For example, an eight-week course of agomelatine was linked to an typical decrease in mass of about 2.4 kilograms (roughly 5.3 pounds), while maprotiline patients gained almost 2 kg in the same duration.

There were also, marked fluctuations in heart function: one antidepressant was likely to reduce pulse rate, in contrast nortriptyline raised it, producing a gap of around 21 heartbeats per minute among the both treatments. Blood pressure varied too, with an 11 millimeters of mercury disparity observed across one drug and doxepin.

Medical experts noted that the research's results are not considered recent or startling to psychiatrists.

"We've long known that various antidepressant medications vary in their influences on weight, BP, and other metabolic parameters," a expert stated.

"Nevertheless, what is significant about this study is the comprehensive, comparative assessment of these disparities across a wide array of physiological parameters using information from more than 58,000 subjects," this expert added.

The investigation offers strong evidence of the magnitude of adverse reactions, several of which are more common than other effects. Frequent antidepressant adverse reactions may comprise:

• gastrointestinal symptoms (queasiness, loose stools, blockage)
• sexual dysfunction (reduced sex drive, inability to orgasm)
• weight changes (gain or reduction, depending on the agent)
• rest issues (insomnia or drowsiness)
• mouth dryness, moisture, headache

Additionally, less frequent but medically important adverse reactions may include:

• rises in arterial pressure or cardiac rhythm (particularly with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and certain tricyclics)
• hyponatremia (especially in senior patients, with SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• liver enzyme elevations
• Corrected QT interval prolongation (risk of arrhythmia, notably with citalopram and some tricyclics)
• diminished feelings or apathy

"One thing to consider here is that there are several distinct categories of antidepressant medications, which lead to the distinct unwanted pharmaceutical reactions," a different expert explained.

"Additionally, antidepressant drugs can influence each person distinctly, and adverse side effects can differ based on the exact pharmaceutical, amount, and personal elements like metabolism or co-occurring conditions."

Although some unwanted effects, like changes in rest, appetite, or stamina, are reasonably common and frequently improve over time, different reactions may be less typical or continuing.

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

"A modification in antidepressant may be warranted if the individual experiences persistent or unacceptable adverse reactions that fail to enhance with passing days or supportive care," one professional commented.

"Furthermore, if there is an appearance of new medical conditions that may be aggravated by the present medication, for instance high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, or considerable increased body weight."

Patients may additionally contemplate talking with your doctor concerning any lack of substantial improvement in low mood or worry indicators after an appropriate testing period. The sufficient testing period is generally 4–8 weeks duration at a effective amount.

Individual inclination is also important. Certain individuals may want to evade certain unwanted effects, such as intimacy issues or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition