Antidepressant Side Effects Including Body Weight, BP Variations Vary by Drug

• An comprehensive recent study found that the adverse reactions of antidepressants vary significantly by drug.
• Certain medications caused reduced body weight, while different drugs caused increased body weight.
• Cardiac rhythm and BP furthermore differed markedly between medications.
• Those experiencing persistent, serious, or concerning adverse reactions must speak with a physician.

Latest research has revealed that antidepressant medication side effects may be more extensive than earlier believed.

The extensive study, released on October 21, assessed the impact of antidepressant medications on more than 58,000 subjects within the first eight weeks of starting treatment.

These researchers examined 151 studies of 30 drugs frequently prescribed to treat depression. Although not everyone experiences unwanted effects, several of the most frequent recorded in the investigation were variations in body weight, arterial pressure, and metabolic indicators.

The study revealed striking variations among depression treatments. For example, an eight-week course of agomelatine was connected with an average weight loss of around 2.4 kg (roughly 5.3 lbs), whereas maprotiline individuals added almost 2 kg in the same timeframe.

Additionally, marked changes in cardiovascular activity: one antidepressant often would reduce heart rate, while another medication elevated it, causing a gap of approximately 21 heartbeats per minute across the both treatments. BP varied as well, with an 11 mmHg difference seen between one drug and doxepin.

Clinical professionals noted that the investigation's results are not considered recent or surprising to mental health professionals.

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

"However, what is notable about this research is the rigorous, comparison-based measurement of these differences among a broad array of physical indicators using findings from over 58,000 subjects," the professional added.

The investigation provides strong support of the degree of side effects, several of which are more frequent than different reactions. Common antidepressant medication unwanted effects may comprise:

• stomach problems (sickness, bowel issues, irregularity)
• sexual dysfunction (decreased libido, anorgasmia)
• weight changes (addition or decrease, according to the drug)
• rest issues (insomnia or sedation)
• mouth dryness, sweating, headache

At the same time, less common but medically important adverse reactions may comprise:

• elevations in arterial pressure or cardiac rhythm (particularly with SNRIs and certain tricyclics)
• reduced blood sodium (particularly in elderly individuals, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• elevated hepatic parameters
• QTc lengthening (risk of abnormal heart rhythm, notably with citalopram and some tricyclics)
• emotional blunting or indifference

"One thing to consider in this context is that there are various different types of antidepressants, which result in the different negative pharmaceutical effects," a different specialist explained.

"Furthermore, antidepressant medications can impact each person differently, and unwanted reactions can vary depending on the exact drug, dose, and individual elements like metabolism or comorbidities."

While certain unwanted effects, like fluctuations in rest, hunger, or stamina, are fairly common and frequently improve as time passes, other effects may be less frequent or more persistent.

Antidepressant adverse reactions may vary in intensity, which could warrant a adjustment in your treatment.

"An modification in antidepressant medication may be appropriate if the individual encounters continuing or intolerable unwanted effects that do not improve with time or management strategies," one specialist commented.

"Furthermore, if there is an appearance of recently developed medical issues that may be aggravated by the existing treatment, such as hypertension, irregular heartbeat, or considerable mass addition."

Individuals may furthermore think about talking with your physician about any lack of substantial progress in depression-related or anxiety-related symptoms after an sufficient evaluation duration. The adequate testing period is generally 4–8 weeks' time at a therapeutic dose.

Patient preference is furthermore important. Some patients may prefer to evade specific adverse reactions, such as sexual problems or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition