Antidepressant Side Effects Including Weight, BP Changes Vary Based on Pharmaceutical

• An large new investigation determined that the unwanted effects of depression drugs vary considerably by drug.
• Certain medications caused decreased mass, whereas different drugs led to increased body weight.
• Heart rate and arterial pressure additionally varied markedly between treatments.
• Individuals encountering continuing, serious, or concerning unwanted effects must discuss with a physician.

New research has revealed that antidepressant medication side effects may be more extensive than once assumed.

This large-scale study, released on the 21st of October, examined the influence of depression treatments on over 58,000 individuals within the beginning 60 days of commencing medication.

These investigators studied 151 investigations of 30 medications commonly used to manage major depression. While not every patient develops unwanted effects, certain of the most frequent noted in the study were fluctuations in weight, blood pressure, and metabolic parameters.

There were striking disparities among antidepressant drugs. For instance, an eight-week regimen of agomelatine was connected with an mean weight loss of approximately 2.4 kilograms (approximately 5.3 pounds), whereas maprotiline users added close to 2 kg in the identical period.

Furthermore, significant changes in cardiac function: one antidepressant tended to decrease heart rate, whereas nortriptyline raised it, producing a difference of around 21 beats per minute across the both treatments. BP varied too, with an 11 mmHg disparity seen among nortriptyline and doxepin.

Clinical specialists commented that the investigation's results are not considered new or surprising to mental health professionals.

"Clinicians have long recognized that distinct antidepressant medications differ in their influences on weight, arterial pressure, and further metabolic parameters," a specialist explained.

"Nevertheless, what is notable about this investigation is the thorough, relative assessment of these differences throughout a broad array of bodily measurements employing information from over 58,000 subjects," the professional commented.

This study offers robust proof of the extent of side effects, several of which are more prevalent than others. Common antidepressant side effects may comprise:

• digestive issues (queasiness, diarrhea, irregularity)
• sexual dysfunction (lowered desire, inability to orgasm)
• body weight fluctuations (gain or loss, based on the medication)
• sleep disturbances (inability to sleep or sedation)
• oral dehydration, moisture, headache

Meanwhile, rarer but medically important unwanted effects may comprise:

• rises in blood pressure or heart rate (particularly with SNRIs and some tricyclics)
• low sodium (notably in older adults, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• increased liver enzymes
• Corrected QT interval extension (potential of arrhythmia, especially with one medication and certain tricyclics)
• diminished feelings or indifference

"A key factor to consider here is that there are several varying types of antidepressant medications, which result in the varying negative drug effects," a different specialist explained.

"Additionally, depression treatments can affect each person differently, and adverse reactions can differ based on the exact pharmaceutical, dosage, and personal considerations such as metabolic rate or co-occurring conditions."

Although several unwanted effects, like changes in sleep, appetite, or energy levels, are reasonably common and commonly enhance with time, different reactions may be less frequent or continuing.

Depression drug unwanted effects may differ in intensity, which could warrant a modification in your drug.

"A modification in antidepressant may be warranted if the individual experiences continuing or unbearable side effects that fail to enhance with passing days or supportive measures," one specialist stated.

"Furthermore, if there is an emergence of recently developed medical conditions that may be aggravated by the existing treatment, for instance hypertension, abnormal heart rhythm, or substantial mass addition."

You may furthermore think about consulting with your doctor concerning any lack of meaningful enhancement in depression-related or anxiety-related symptoms following an appropriate evaluation duration. An appropriate evaluation duration is usually 4–8 weeks at a treatment amount.

Patient inclination is also important. Certain patients may want to prevent certain unwanted effects, such as sexual dysfunction or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition