Depression Drug Adverse Reactions Like Weight, BP Variations Differ by Drug

• A large new investigation determined that the adverse reactions of antidepressant medications range substantially by drug.
• Certain pharmaceuticals led to reduced body weight, while different drugs resulted in increased body weight.
• Heart rate and BP also diverged markedly between medications.
• Those experiencing ongoing, severe, or concerning adverse reactions ought to speak with a healthcare professional.

Recent research has found that antidepressant medication unwanted effects may be more varied than earlier believed.

This extensive study, published on October 21st, examined the effect of antidepressant drugs on in excess of 58,000 participants within the initial eight weeks of starting treatment.

The researchers examined 151 investigations of 30 pharmaceuticals frequently prescribed to address major depression. Although not every patient develops adverse reactions, some of the most prevalent recorded in the investigation were variations in weight, BP, and metabolic parameters.

Researchers observed striking variations between depression treatments. As an illustration, an 60-day treatment period of one medication was associated with an typical reduction in body weight of approximately 2.4 kg (about 5.3 pounds), whereas maprotiline individuals gained almost 2 kg in the same duration.

Furthermore, significant variations in cardiac function: fluvoxamine was likely to reduce cardiac rhythm, in contrast another medication elevated it, creating a gap of approximately 21 heartbeats per minute among the both treatments. BP differed too, with an 11 millimeters of mercury variation noted across nortriptyline and another medication.

Medical professionals noted that the research's results are not considered new or surprising to mental health professionals.

"It has long been understood that various antidepressant medications differ in their impacts on body weight, arterial pressure, and other metabolic indicators," one professional explained.

"However, what is remarkable about this study is the thorough, comparative quantification of these disparities across a broad spectrum of physiological parameters employing data from over 58,000 participants," the professional added.

This study offers strong support of the degree of adverse reactions, certain of which are more prevalent than others. Common antidepressant medication unwanted effects may include:

• digestive issues (nausea, diarrhea, blockage)
• sexual problems (reduced sex drive, orgasmic dysfunction)
• body weight fluctuations (increase or reduction, depending on the agent)
• rest issues (inability to sleep or drowsiness)
• dry mouth, moisture, headache

At the same time, less common but medically important unwanted effects may include:

• increases in blood pressure or cardiac rhythm (particularly with SNRIs and some tricyclic antidepressants)
• low sodium (especially in elderly individuals, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and SNRIs)
• elevated hepatic parameters
• Corrected QT interval lengthening (risk of irregular heartbeat, particularly with one medication and some tricyclic antidepressants)
• emotional blunting or lack of interest

"An important point to note here is that there are multiple different types of depression drugs, which contribute to the varying unwanted pharmaceutical effects," another professional commented.

"Additionally, depression treatments can influence each person differently, and negative reactions can differ according to the exact pharmaceutical, amount, and patient factors like body chemistry or co-occurring conditions."

Although certain side effects, such as changes in sleep, appetite, or vitality, are quite common and frequently enhance as time passes, other effects may be less common or continuing.

Antidepressant unwanted effects may vary in intensity, which could warrant a modification in your treatment.

"A change in depression drug may be appropriate if the patient experiences ongoing or unacceptable adverse reactions that do not improve with time or supportive care," one expert stated.

"Additionally, if there is an emergence of new medical issues that may be worsened by the existing treatment, for instance high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, or considerable increased body weight."

Patients may furthermore contemplate consulting with your healthcare provider about any lack of substantial enhancement in depressive or anxiety-related indicators subsequent to an adequate evaluation duration. The adequate trial period is typically 4–8 weeks at a treatment dosage.

Individual inclination is also crucial. Certain patients may want to evade certain unwanted effects, such as sexual dysfunction or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition