Antidepressant Medication Adverse Reactions Such as Weight, BP Variations Vary by Drug

• An comprehensive new study discovered that the side effects of antidepressant medications differ substantially by drug.
• Some medications led to decreased mass, while other medications caused added mass.
• Heart rate and arterial pressure also differed markedly across medications.
• Those experiencing persistent, serious, or worrisome unwanted effects should consult a healthcare professional.

Latest investigations has revealed that depression drug side effects may be more diverse than previously thought.

The large-scale study, released on the 21st of October, analyzed the impact of depression treatments on in excess of 58,000 subjects within the first 60 days of beginning medication.

The investigators examined 151 investigations of 30 drugs typically used to treat depression. While not everyone develops unwanted effects, several of the most prevalent recorded in the investigation were variations in weight, arterial pressure, and metabolic indicators.

There were striking differences between antidepressant drugs. For example, an two-month regimen of agomelatine was connected with an typical decrease in mass of about 2.4 kg (approximately 5.3 pounds), while another drug patients added close to 2 kg in the identical period.

Furthermore, notable changes in heart function: fluvoxamine was likely to decrease heart rate, whereas nortriptyline raised it, causing a difference of approximately 21 heartbeats per minute between the two drugs. Arterial pressure varied also, with an 11 millimeters of mercury variation noted across nortriptyline and another medication.

Healthcare experts observed that the research's conclusions are not considered novel or startling to mental health professionals.

"We've long known that distinct antidepressant medications range in their influences on body weight, arterial pressure, and further metabolic measures," a expert commented.

"Nevertheless, what is remarkable about this investigation is the rigorous, comparison-based measurement of these variations across a broad spectrum of bodily measurements using information from in excess of 58,000 individuals," this expert added.

This investigation offers robust proof of the extent of side effects, several of which are more common than others. Common antidepressant medication adverse reactions may comprise:

• stomach problems (sickness, loose stools, constipation)
• intimacy issues (lowered desire, inability to orgasm)
• mass variations (gain or decrease, depending on the drug)
• sleep problems (inability to sleep or sleepiness)
• mouth dryness, sweating, migraine

Additionally, rarer but therapeutically relevant adverse reactions may encompass:

• increases in arterial pressure or heart rate (especially with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and some tricyclics)
• hyponatremia (particularly in older adults, with SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• liver enzyme elevations
• Corrected QT interval lengthening (chance of irregular heartbeat, particularly with citalopram and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
• reduced emotions or lack of interest

"An important point to note here is that there are several different categories of antidepressants, which result in the varying negative drug effects," a different specialist stated.

"Furthermore, antidepressant medications can impact each patient variably, and adverse side effects can differ based on the exact medication, dose, and individual factors including metabolic rate or co-occurring conditions."

Although some adverse reactions, including changes in sleep, appetite, or energy levels, are quite typical and frequently improve with time, others may be less common or continuing.

Depression drug adverse reactions may differ in severity, which could require a change in your medication.

"A adjustment in antidepressant medication may be appropriate if the person experiences ongoing or unacceptable unwanted effects that fail to enhance with duration or supportive care," one expert said.

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

You may additionally consider consulting with your healthcare provider concerning any absence of meaningful progress in depression-related or anxiety symptoms following an appropriate trial period. The appropriate testing period is generally 4–8 weeks at a treatment dose.

Individual choice is also important. Certain people may want to evade certain side effects, such as sexual problems or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition