Antidepressant Unwanted Effects Like Weight, Blood Pressure Fluctuations Range by Drug

• A large recent investigation determined that the side effects of antidepressant medications differ considerably by drug.
• Some medications led to reduced body weight, while other medications led to weight gain.
• Heart rate and arterial pressure additionally diverged notably across medications.
• Patients encountering ongoing, severe, or troubling side effects ought to speak with a physician.

Recent investigations has revealed that depression drug unwanted effects may be more varied than previously thought.

This comprehensive investigation, issued on the 21st of October, assessed the impact of antidepressant drugs on in excess of 58,000 individuals within the beginning eight weeks of starting treatment.

These scientists studied 151 investigations of 30 pharmaceuticals frequently used to treat depression. While not everyone develops adverse reactions, several of the most common observed in the investigation were variations in body weight, BP, and metabolic indicators.

There were notable disparities across depression treatments. As an illustration, an 60-day treatment period of one medication was linked to an mean weight loss of around 2.4 kg (approximately 5.3 lbs), whereas maprotiline patients increased almost 2 kg in the equivalent period.

Furthermore, marked variations in heart function: one antidepressant tended to reduce cardiac rhythm, in contrast another medication elevated it, causing a difference of about 21 heartbeats per minute among the both treatments. Blood pressure fluctuated too, with an 11 mmHg difference observed among nortriptyline and another medication.

Clinical specialists commented that the investigation's conclusions are not considered new or unexpected to psychiatrists.

"Clinicians have long recognized that different antidepressants differ in their impacts on body weight, BP, and other metabolic parameters," one professional explained.

"However, what is notable about this investigation is the comprehensive, relative assessment of these disparities among a wide range of physical indicators utilizing data from more than 58,000 participants," this professional added.

This research offers robust evidence of the extent of adverse reactions, several of which are more frequent than other effects. Frequent depression drug side effects may comprise:

• stomach problems (queasiness, bowel issues, irregularity)
• sexual dysfunction (reduced sex drive, orgasmic dysfunction)
• mass variations (increase or decrease, according to the drug)
• rest issues (inability to sleep or drowsiness)
• dry mouth, sweating, headache

Meanwhile, less common but therapeutically relevant unwanted effects may include:

• rises in BP or heart rate (especially with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and some tricyclics)
• low sodium (particularly in older adults, with SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• liver enzyme elevations
• QTc extension (risk of arrhythmia, particularly with citalopram and some tricyclics)
• emotional blunting or indifference

"An important point to remember in this context is that there are multiple different types of antidepressant medications, which lead to the different negative pharmaceutical side effects," another expert commented.

"Additionally, depression treatments can affect each patient differently, and negative reactions can vary based on the specific pharmaceutical, amount, and personal considerations like body chemistry or comorbidities."

Although several adverse reactions, like fluctuations in rest, hunger, or vitality, are quite common and commonly get better with time, others may be less frequent or more persistent.

Antidepressant medication adverse reactions may range in intensity, which could warrant a adjustment in your drug.

"A adjustment in antidepressant medication may be appropriate if the individual experiences continuing or unacceptable adverse reactions that fail to enhance with duration or supportive care," a specialist stated.

"Furthermore, if there is an emergence of new health problems that may be worsened by the current medication, such as high blood pressure, arrhythmia, or considerable weight gain."

Individuals may also think about consulting with your healthcare provider concerning any deficiency of meaningful improvement in low mood or anxiety symptoms after an appropriate evaluation duration. The appropriate trial period is usually 4–8 weeks at a therapeutic dosage.

Patient choice is also important. Some people may prefer to prevent specific side effects, such as intimacy issues or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition