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

• A large new research determined that the unwanted effects of depression drugs range significantly by drug.
• Some drugs caused weight loss, whereas other medications resulted in increased body weight.
• Pulse rate and arterial pressure additionally diverged significantly between treatments.
• Those experiencing continuing, intense, or worrisome adverse reactions must speak with a medical provider.

Latest investigations has found that depression drug side effects may be more varied than once assumed.

The large-scale investigation, released on October 21, analyzed the influence of depression treatments on more than 58,000 individuals within the first two months of starting medication.

These investigators examined 151 studies of 30 pharmaceuticals frequently prescribed to treat depression. Although not everyone develops unwanted effects, certain of the most common recorded in the study were changes in weight, BP, and metabolic parameters.

There were striking disparities across antidepressant medications. As an illustration, an two-month treatment period of one medication was connected with an typical reduction in body weight of about 2.4 kg (roughly 5.3 lbs), whereas another drug patients increased almost 2 kg in the equivalent period.

There were also, significant variations in cardiac function: one antidepressant was likely to reduce cardiac rhythm, in contrast nortriptyline raised it, producing a disparity of around 21 heartbeats per minute among the two drugs. Blood pressure varied too, with an 11 millimeters of mercury disparity noted across one drug and doxepin.

Medical experts commented that the study's results are not novel or startling to psychiatrists.

"It has long been understood that various depression drugs range in their impacts on body weight, BP, and further metabolic indicators," one specialist explained.

"However, what is remarkable about this research is the comprehensive, comparative assessment of these disparities among a extensive array of physiological parameters utilizing data from in excess of 58,000 subjects," this professional added.

The research provides comprehensive evidence of the degree of unwanted effects, certain of which are more frequent than others. Typical antidepressant unwanted effects may encompass:

• stomach problems (nausea, loose stools, blockage)
• sexual dysfunction (lowered desire, inability to orgasm)
• mass variations (addition or decrease, according to the medication)
• sleep problems (inability to sleep or drowsiness)
• oral dehydration, moisture, headache

Meanwhile, less frequent but therapeutically relevant side effects may comprise:

• elevations in arterial pressure or cardiac rhythm (notably with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and some tricyclic antidepressants)
• low sodium (especially in senior patients, with SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• increased liver enzymes
• Corrected QT interval prolongation (potential of irregular heartbeat, especially with one medication and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
• emotional blunting or apathy

"A key factor to remember regarding this matter is that there are multiple distinct types of antidepressants, which contribute to the distinct negative pharmaceutical reactions," another specialist stated.

"Furthermore, antidepressant drugs can impact each patient distinctly, and adverse side effects can range according to the specific pharmaceutical, amount, and individual elements such as metabolism or co-occurring conditions."

Although certain side effects, such as variations in sleep, hunger, or stamina, are fairly typical and commonly improve as time passes, different reactions may be less typical or more persistent.

Antidepressant side effects may vary in intensity, which could warrant a adjustment in your drug.

"A adjustment in antidepressant medication may be necessary if the person suffers persistent or intolerable adverse reactions that do not improve with time or management strategies," a specialist stated.

"Moreover, if there is an development of recent medical issues that may be exacerbated by the existing drug, for instance hypertension, abnormal heart rhythm, or considerable mass addition."

You may furthermore think about speaking with your physician concerning any lack of substantial enhancement in depression-related or anxiety-related signs following an adequate trial period. An appropriate evaluation duration is typically 4–8 weeks duration at a therapeutic dose.

Patient inclination is additionally crucial. Some people may prefer to evade specific adverse reactions, including sexual dysfunction or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition