Antidepressant Side Effects Like Body Weight, BP Changes Differ by Drug

• An extensive recent study discovered that the side effects of depression drugs differ substantially by drug.
• Some drugs caused weight loss, whereas other medications led to added mass.
• Pulse rate and blood pressure also diverged notably between medications.
• Patients encountering ongoing, serious, or troubling unwanted effects ought to discuss with a medical provider.

New research has discovered that antidepressant medication adverse reactions may be more varied than once assumed.

The extensive research, published on October 21st, examined the influence of antidepressant medications on more than 58,000 participants within the initial 60 days of starting medication.

The researchers examined 151 investigations of 30 pharmaceuticals commonly employed to manage major depression. While not all individuals encounters unwanted effects, some of the most frequent recorded in the research were variations in weight, blood pressure, and metabolic parameters.

There were notable differences between depression treatments. For example, an 60-day course of agomelatine was linked to an mean reduction in body weight of around 2.4 kilograms (approximately 5.3 lbs), while maprotiline individuals added nearly 2 kg in the equivalent timeframe.

Furthermore, significant changes in cardiovascular activity: fluvoxamine tended to reduce heart rate, while another medication raised it, creating a disparity of around 21 beats per minute across the two drugs. Blood pressure differed also, with an 11 millimeters of mercury difference observed between nortriptyline and doxepin.

Clinical experts noted that the research's findings are not new or surprising to psychiatrists.

"Clinicians have long recognized that different depression drugs range in their effects on weight, arterial pressure, and additional metabolic measures," one expert stated.

"Nevertheless, what is significant about this research is the rigorous, comparison-based quantification of these variations across a extensive array of physiological parameters using data from in excess of 58,000 subjects," this professional commented.

The investigation delivers robust support of the extent of side effects, certain of which are more prevalent than others. Typical depression drug unwanted effects may include:

• gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, diarrhea, blockage)
• sexual problems (decreased libido, inability to orgasm)
• mass variations (gain or reduction, based on the drug)
• sleep disturbances (insomnia or sleepiness)
• oral dehydration, sweating, headache

Additionally, less frequent but medically important unwanted effects may encompass:

• increases in blood pressure or pulse rate (particularly with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and some tricyclic antidepressants)
• low sodium (notably in senior patients, with SSRIs and SNRIs)
• elevated hepatic parameters
• QTc prolongation (chance of abnormal heart rhythm, particularly with one medication and some tricyclic antidepressants)
• reduced emotions or apathy

"An important point to consider regarding this matter is that there are multiple different categories of depression drugs, which result in the different unwanted pharmaceutical side effects," a different professional stated.

"Furthermore, depression treatments can affect each person distinctly, and negative reactions can vary based on the specific medication, amount, and individual considerations including metabolism or comorbidities."

While certain side effects, including fluctuations in sleep, hunger, or energy levels, are reasonably frequent and frequently get better over time, others may be less typical or continuing.

Antidepressant medication side effects may range in intensity, which could justify a change in your drug.

"An change in antidepressant may be warranted if the individual experiences ongoing or unacceptable unwanted effects that do not improve with passing days or management strategies," one specialist commented.

"Moreover, if there is an development of new medical issues that may be exacerbated by the present treatment, for instance hypertension, abnormal heart rhythm, or considerable increased body weight."

Individuals may additionally contemplate consulting with your healthcare provider regarding any deficiency of substantial progress in depressive or anxiety signs subsequent to an adequate trial period. The appropriate evaluation duration is typically 4–8 weeks at a treatment dose.

Personal choice is also significant. Some individuals may prefer to prevent particular side effects, like sexual problems or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition