Antidepressant Unwanted Effects Including Weight, BP Fluctuations Range by Drug

• An extensive recent study determined that the unwanted effects of antidepressants range substantially by drug.
• Some pharmaceuticals resulted in reduced body weight, whereas others led to added mass.
• Cardiac rhythm and arterial pressure also diverged markedly among treatments.
• Those encountering ongoing, serious, or concerning side effects must speak with a medical provider.

New research has revealed that depression drug unwanted effects may be more extensive than previously thought.

This comprehensive research, published on October 21, assessed the influence of antidepressant medications on over 58,000 subjects within the first eight weeks of commencing therapy.

The scientists analyzed 151 investigations of 30 pharmaceuticals typically employed to treat clinical depression. While not all individuals experiences adverse reactions, several of the most prevalent observed in the research were changes in weight, blood pressure, and metabolic parameters.

There were notable variations among antidepressant drugs. For instance, an eight-week treatment period of agomelatine was associated with an average weight loss of approximately 2.4 kilos (roughly 5.3 lbs), whereas another drug patients increased nearly 2 kg in the same timeframe.

Furthermore, marked fluctuations in cardiovascular activity: one antidepressant tended to reduce heart rate, in contrast another medication increased it, causing a gap of about 21 heartbeats per minute among the both treatments. Arterial pressure differed too, with an 11 millimeters of mercury variation noted among one drug and doxepin.

Clinical experts noted that the research's results are not considered new or unexpected to mental health professionals.

"Clinicians have long recognized that different antidepressants range in their effects on weight, blood pressure, and further metabolic indicators," a specialist stated.

"However, what is notable about this study is the thorough, comparison-based quantification of these disparities throughout a wide array of physical indicators using information from over 58,000 participants," the expert noted.

This study offers strong proof of the extent of unwanted effects, some of which are more frequent than other effects. Frequent depression drug adverse reactions may include:

• gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, bowel issues, irregularity)
• sexual problems (decreased libido, orgasmic dysfunction)
• mass variations (increase or loss, based on the medication)
• sleep problems (insomnia or sleepiness)
• mouth dryness, sweating, headache

Additionally, less common but medically important unwanted effects may include:

• increases in arterial pressure or cardiac rhythm (notably with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and some tricyclics)
• hyponatremia (notably in senior patients, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• increased liver enzymes
• QTc extension (potential of arrhythmia, especially with one medication and some tricyclics)
• reduced emotions or lack of interest

"A key factor to note here is that there are various different types of depression drugs, which result in the varying unwanted pharmaceutical effects," a different professional explained.

"Moreover, depression treatments can influence each person variably, and unwanted side effects can differ based on the specific drug, dose, and patient elements including body chemistry or simultaneous health issues."

While several unwanted effects, including variations in sleep, hunger, or stamina, are fairly frequent and often get better with time, others may be less common or longer-lasting.

Antidepressant adverse reactions may range in seriousness, which could justify a adjustment in your treatment.

"An modification in antidepressant medication may be appropriate if the individual experiences continuing or unbearable unwanted effects that don't get better with passing days or supportive care," a professional commented.

"Moreover, if there is an appearance of new medical issues that may be worsened by the present treatment, such as high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, or significant increased body weight."

You may furthermore think about speaking with your healthcare provider regarding any lack of significant progress in depressive or worry symptoms subsequent to an sufficient testing period. An sufficient testing period is typically 4–8 weeks duration at a therapeutic amount.

Individual inclination is additionally crucial. Some patients may choose to evade certain side effects, such as sexual problems or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition