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

• A extensive latest study found that the adverse reactions of depression drugs vary significantly by drug.
• Some pharmaceuticals resulted in reduced body weight, whereas other medications caused increased body weight.
• Heart rate and BP furthermore varied notably between drugs.
• Individuals encountering ongoing, serious, or concerning unwanted effects ought to speak with a healthcare professional.

Recent research has found that antidepressant adverse reactions may be more diverse than once assumed.

The extensive investigation, published on October 21st, analyzed the influence of antidepressant drugs on over 58,000 subjects within the first 60 days of commencing treatment.

These researchers analyzed 151 research projects of 30 pharmaceuticals typically employed to manage clinical depression. Although not all individuals encounters unwanted effects, several of the most prevalent observed in the investigation were changes in body weight, arterial pressure, and metabolic markers.

Researchers observed striking variations among antidepressant medications. For example, an eight-week course of agomelatine was connected with an mean reduction in body weight of around 2.4 kilos (about 5.3 pounds), whereas maprotiline individuals added close to 2 kg in the same period.

Additionally, significant changes in cardiac function: fluvoxamine tended to decrease pulse rate, whereas nortriptyline raised it, causing a difference of about 21 beats per minute among the two medications. Blood pressure differed also, with an 11 mmHg difference seen among nortriptyline and another medication.

Medical specialists commented that the study's results aren't recent or surprising to psychiatric specialists.

"Clinicians have long recognized that various antidepressant medications vary in their effects on weight, BP, and further metabolic measures," one specialist explained.

"Nevertheless, what is remarkable about this study is the comprehensive, comparative measurement of these disparities among a extensive array of bodily measurements employing information from more than 58,000 individuals," the professional noted.

The research delivers comprehensive evidence of the extent of adverse reactions, some of which are more prevalent than different reactions. Common antidepressant medication adverse reactions may include:

• gastrointestinal symptoms (sickness, loose stools, blockage)
• sexual dysfunction (lowered desire, orgasmic dysfunction)
• mass variations (addition or reduction, based on the medication)
• sleep problems (inability to sleep or drowsiness)
• mouth dryness, moisture, migraine

Meanwhile, rarer but clinically significant adverse reactions may include:

• rises in arterial pressure or pulse rate (especially with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and certain tricyclics)
• hyponatremia (particularly in elderly individuals, with SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• increased liver enzymes
• Corrected QT interval extension (potential of irregular heartbeat, notably with one medication and some tricyclics)
• reduced emotions or apathy

"An important point to remember regarding this matter is that there are several varying types of depression drugs, which contribute to the distinct negative pharmaceutical side effects," a different expert commented.

"Furthermore, depression treatments can impact every individual distinctly, and unwanted reactions can vary depending on the exact medication, dose, and patient considerations like metabolic rate or simultaneous health issues."

Although some side effects, like changes in rest, appetite, or vitality, are reasonably typical and commonly improve as time passes, other effects may be less typical or continuing.

Depression drug unwanted effects may differ in severity, which could justify a adjustment in your drug.

"A adjustment in depression drug may be necessary if the individual encounters persistent or unacceptable adverse reactions that don't get better with duration or management strategies," a expert said.

"Moreover, if there is an development of new medical issues that may be aggravated by the current drug, for instance high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, or significant mass addition."

Patients may additionally consider consulting with your physician concerning any deficiency of meaningful enhancement in depression-related or anxiety symptoms subsequent to an adequate trial period. The adequate testing period is generally 4–8 weeks' time at a effective dosage.

Individual inclination is also crucial. Certain individuals may choose to evade certain unwanted effects, such as intimacy issues or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition