Depression Drug Side Effects Such as Weight, Blood Pressure Changes Differ Depending on Medication

• An extensive new study discovered that the unwanted effects of antidepressants vary significantly by drug.
• Certain medications resulted in reduced body weight, while others resulted in weight gain.
• Cardiac rhythm and arterial pressure furthermore varied markedly across medications.
• Individuals encountering continuing, severe, or concerning unwanted effects should speak with a medical provider.

New investigations has discovered that antidepressant side effects may be more varied than previously thought.

This comprehensive study, issued on October 21st, analyzed the effect of antidepressant drugs on more than 58,000 participants within the beginning 60 days of starting medication.

The researchers analyzed 151 investigations of 30 drugs frequently used to treat depression. While not all individuals develops unwanted effects, several of the most prevalent observed in the study were changes in weight, arterial pressure, and metabolic indicators.

The study revealed striking disparities across antidepressant medications. As an illustration, an 60-day course of one medication was associated with an mean weight loss of approximately 2.4 kilos (roughly 5.3 lbs), whereas maprotiline individuals added nearly 2 kg in the same duration.

Additionally, marked changes in heart function: fluvoxamine often would slow pulse rate, while nortriptyline raised it, producing a difference of about 21 beats per minute between the two medications. Blood pressure differed also, with an 11 mmHg variation seen among nortriptyline and doxepin.

Clinical specialists observed that the study's conclusions aren't recent or startling to psychiatrists.

"It has long been understood that distinct antidepressants range in their influences on weight, arterial pressure, and additional metabolic parameters," one expert explained.

"However, what is remarkable about this investigation is the rigorous, relative measurement of these differences throughout a wide range of bodily measurements using data from in excess of 58,000 individuals," the expert noted.

This study offers robust proof of the degree of adverse reactions, some of which are more common than different reactions. Typical depression drug side effects may encompass:

• stomach problems (queasiness, loose stools, blockage)
• intimacy issues (lowered desire, inability to orgasm)
• body weight fluctuations (gain or loss, according to the agent)
• sleep disturbances (insomnia or drowsiness)
• oral dehydration, sweating, headache

At the same time, less frequent but clinically significant unwanted effects may include:

• increases in arterial pressure or heart rate (notably with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and certain tricyclics)
• hyponatremia (notably in elderly individuals, with SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• elevated hepatic parameters
• QTc lengthening (risk of arrhythmia, particularly with one medication and some tricyclics)
• diminished feelings or indifference

"An important point to remember in this context is that there are several distinct categories of antidepressant medications, which result in the varying negative drug side effects," a different expert stated.

"Additionally, depression treatments can impact every individual differently, and unwanted side effects can vary based on the particular pharmaceutical, dosage, and patient considerations like metabolic rate or comorbidities."

While some unwanted effects, like changes in sleep, appetite, or energy levels, are reasonably common and frequently get better as time passes, other effects may be less common or more persistent.

Depression drug side effects may differ in seriousness, which could warrant a modification in your medication.

"An modification in depression drug may be warranted if the individual suffers continuing or unacceptable side effects that don't get better with duration or supportive care," a specialist stated.

"Moreover, if there is an appearance of recently developed health problems that may be aggravated by the present medication, for instance high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, or considerable increased body weight."

Individuals may also think about speaking with your physician about any deficiency of meaningful enhancement in depressive or anxiety symptoms subsequent to an appropriate evaluation duration. An adequate testing period is usually 4–8 weeks duration at a therapeutic amount.

Personal preference is also significant. Certain people may want to prevent particular adverse reactions, like sexual dysfunction or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition