Depression Drug Unwanted Effects Including Body Weight, Blood Pressure Changes Vary by Drug

• An comprehensive new study determined that the adverse reactions of depression drugs vary significantly by drug.
• Certain drugs led to reduced body weight, whereas different drugs resulted in added mass.
• Pulse rate and arterial pressure additionally varied markedly between medications.
• Individuals encountering ongoing, intense, or worrisome side effects should speak with a medical provider.

Latest research has found that depression drug adverse reactions may be more extensive than earlier believed.

The extensive investigation, released on October 21st, examined the effect of depression treatments on in excess of 58,000 subjects within the initial eight weeks of commencing therapy.

The investigators analyzed 151 studies of 30 medications commonly prescribed to manage clinical depression. While not every patient develops side effects, several of the most frequent observed in the research were variations in body weight, BP, and metabolic parameters.

The study revealed notable variations across depression treatments. For instance, an eight-week regimen of agomelatine was connected with an average reduction in body weight of around 2.4 kg (approximately 5.3 lbs), whereas another drug users gained almost 2 kg in the identical period.

Additionally, significant variations in cardiovascular activity: fluvoxamine often would slow heart rate, in contrast another medication raised it, creating a disparity of approximately 21 beats per minute between the both treatments. Arterial pressure varied as well, with an 11 millimeters of mercury difference seen between nortriptyline and another medication.

Medical experts observed that the research's findings aren't recent or unexpected to mental health professionals.

"We've long known that distinct antidepressants range in their influences on weight, BP, and further metabolic measures," a professional commented.

"However, what is significant about this research is the comprehensive, comparison-based quantification of these differences among a broad spectrum of bodily measurements employing data from in excess of 58,000 subjects," the expert noted.

The investigation provides robust proof of the extent of adverse reactions, some of which are more prevalent than others. Typical antidepressant medication adverse reactions may include:

• gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, bowel issues, blockage)
• intimacy issues (lowered desire, anorgasmia)
• mass variations (gain or reduction, based on the drug)
• sleep disturbances (sleeplessness or sleepiness)
• mouth dryness, sweating, head pain

Meanwhile, less frequent but therapeutically relevant adverse reactions may comprise:

• elevations in blood pressure or heart rate (notably with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and certain tricyclics)
• low sodium (notably in senior patients, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• increased liver enzymes
• QTc prolongation (potential of abnormal heart rhythm, particularly with citalopram and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
• diminished feelings or indifference

"One thing to consider here is that there are several distinct categories of antidepressant medications, which lead to the varying adverse medication effects," another professional stated.

"Furthermore, antidepressant medications can influence each patient differently, and adverse reactions can range depending on the particular pharmaceutical, dose, and patient elements like metabolic rate or comorbidities."

Although several side effects, like variations in sleep, appetite, or stamina, are quite typical and often enhance with time, other effects may be less frequent or continuing.

Antidepressant medication unwanted effects may range in intensity, which could warrant a adjustment in your drug.

"A modification in depression drug may be necessary if the individual encounters continuing or unacceptable adverse reactions that do not improve with passing days or management strategies," a specialist said.

"Moreover, if there is an emergence of new medical conditions that may be worsened by the present drug, for instance hypertension, abnormal heart rhythm, or significant mass addition."

You may furthermore think about speaking with your doctor about any deficiency of significant improvement in depressive or anxiety-related signs following an adequate trial period. The sufficient evaluation duration is generally 4–8 weeks' time at a treatment dosage.

Personal preference is additionally significant. Some patients may prefer to prevent specific unwanted effects, like sexual problems or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition