Depression Drug Adverse Reactions Like Body Weight, BP Variations Vary Depending on Medication

• An large recent investigation found that the adverse reactions of antidepressants range considerably by drug.
• Certain drugs resulted in weight loss, whereas others resulted in weight gain.
• Cardiac rhythm and arterial pressure additionally differed markedly across medications.
• Individuals encountering continuing, intense, or troubling side effects must discuss with a healthcare professional.

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

This large-scale study, issued on October 21, analyzed the impact of antidepressant medications on more than 58,000 participants within the initial 60 days of commencing therapy.

These investigators studied 151 research projects of 30 medications commonly used to manage major depression. Although not every patient develops adverse reactions, certain of the most prevalent noted in the study were variations in body weight, BP, and metabolic parameters.

There were notable differences across antidepressant drugs. As an illustration, an 60-day course of agomelatine was associated with an typical reduction in body weight of around 2.4 kg (approximately 5.3 lbs), while another drug patients gained almost 2 kg in the identical period.

There were also, notable variations in heart function: fluvoxamine tended to decrease cardiac rhythm, in contrast another medication increased it, causing a difference of about 21 beats per minute between the both treatments. Blood pressure differed as well, with an 11 millimeters of mercury difference noted between nortriptyline and doxepin.

Clinical specialists observed that the investigation's conclusions are not recent or unexpected to mental health professionals.

"Clinicians have long recognized that various antidepressant medications vary in their effects on body weight, BP, and further metabolic parameters," a professional commented.

"However, what is notable about this research is the rigorous, comparative assessment of these differences throughout a extensive spectrum of physiological parameters using findings from in excess of 58,000 subjects," this specialist commented.

The study delivers robust support of the extent of adverse reactions, several of which are more prevalent than others. Typical antidepressant medication adverse reactions may encompass:

• stomach problems (queasiness, diarrhea, blockage)
• sexual dysfunction (reduced sex drive, anorgasmia)
• weight changes (addition or reduction, depending on the medication)
• rest issues (insomnia or drowsiness)
• mouth dryness, sweating, head pain

At the same time, rarer but medically important side effects may encompass:

• increases in arterial pressure or pulse rate (particularly with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and some tricyclic antidepressants)
• reduced blood sodium (particularly in older adults, with SSRIs and SNRIs)
• liver enzyme elevations
• QTc lengthening (risk of irregular heartbeat, particularly with one medication and some tricyclic antidepressants)
• diminished feelings or indifference

"A key factor to note in this context is that there are various distinct classes of antidepressants, which contribute to the distinct unwanted medication reactions," another professional stated.

"Furthermore, depression treatments can influence each person variably, and adverse reactions can vary depending on the particular pharmaceutical, dose, and individual factors including metabolic rate or simultaneous health issues."

Although certain adverse reactions, including variations in sleep, hunger, or vitality, are quite frequent and frequently get better with time, others may be less typical or longer-lasting.

Antidepressant medication adverse reactions may differ in seriousness, which could warrant a modification in your treatment.

"An adjustment in antidepressant medication may be appropriate if the person experiences ongoing or intolerable side effects that don't get better with passing days or supportive measures," a expert said.

"Furthermore, if there is an development of recently developed medical issues that may be aggravated by the existing drug, such as hypertension, arrhythmia, or significant mass addition."

You may furthermore think about speaking with your healthcare provider about any lack of significant progress in depression-related or anxiety signs subsequent to an appropriate evaluation duration. The appropriate trial period is typically 4–8 weeks duration at a treatment dosage.

Individual preference is also important. Some individuals may choose to prevent specific unwanted effects, including sexual problems or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition