Antidepressant Medication Unwanted Effects Including Body Weight, Blood Pressure Variations Vary by Drug

• An extensive new research found that the unwanted effects of antidepressants differ substantially by drug.
• Some drugs caused decreased mass, whereas other medications caused weight gain.
• Heart rate and blood pressure also differed markedly across treatments.
• Patients encountering continuing, serious, or worrisome adverse reactions must speak with a healthcare professional.

Latest investigations has revealed that depression drug adverse reactions may be more diverse than earlier believed.

This extensive study, released on October 21st, assessed the influence of antidepressant drugs on over 58,000 subjects within the initial eight weeks of beginning medication.

The investigators analyzed 151 research projects of 30 pharmaceuticals frequently employed to manage clinical depression. Although not everyone experiences adverse reactions, some of the most prevalent noted in the investigation were variations in body weight, blood pressure, and metabolic indicators.

The study revealed significant differences across antidepressant medications. For example, an two-month regimen of one medication was linked to an average reduction in body weight of around 2.4 kilograms (approximately 5.3 pounds), whereas maprotiline users gained almost 2 kg in the same timeframe.

Additionally, marked variations in cardiac function: fluvoxamine was likely to reduce pulse rate, while nortriptyline elevated it, creating a difference of around 21 beats per minute among the two drugs. BP varied as well, with an 11 millimeters of mercury variation observed between one drug and doxepin.

Medical experts observed that the investigation's conclusions are not new or unexpected to psychiatrists.

"It has long been understood that various antidepressants range in their impacts on body weight, arterial pressure, and other metabolic parameters," a expert stated.

"Nonetheless, what is significant about this study is the rigorous, comparative quantification of these differences among a broad array of physiological parameters using findings from over 58,000 participants," the expert noted.

This investigation offers robust support of the degree of unwanted effects, several of which are more common than different reactions. Typical antidepressant medication unwanted effects may comprise:

• gastrointestinal symptoms (sickness, loose stools, constipation)
• sexual dysfunction (decreased libido, orgasmic dysfunction)
• body weight fluctuations (gain or loss, based on the drug)
• sleep problems (insomnia or sleepiness)
• mouth dryness, sweating, head pain

Additionally, rarer but therapeutically relevant unwanted effects may encompass:

• increases in BP or heart rate (notably with SNRIs and some tricyclics)
• low sodium (particularly in elderly individuals, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• increased liver enzymes
• QTc prolongation (potential of abnormal heart rhythm, especially with citalopram and some tricyclics)
• emotional blunting or lack of interest

"One thing to consider here is that there are multiple distinct classes of antidepressant medications, which lead to the varying negative drug side effects," another expert explained.

"Additionally, antidepressant drugs can affect every individual variably, and unwanted side effects can range according to the exact pharmaceutical, dose, and patient factors like metabolic rate or co-occurring conditions."

While certain adverse reactions, such as fluctuations in rest, appetite, or energy levels, are quite typical and commonly enhance over time, different reactions may be less frequent or longer-lasting.

Depression drug side effects may range in intensity, which could require a adjustment in your medication.

"An change in antidepressant may be necessary if the individual suffers continuing or unbearable side effects that do not improve with passing days or management strategies," one professional commented.

"Additionally, if there is an appearance of new medical conditions that may be aggravated by the present drug, such as elevated BP, irregular heartbeat, or significant weight gain."

Patients may furthermore think about talking with your doctor concerning any deficiency of meaningful improvement in low mood or worry symptoms following an adequate trial period. An sufficient testing period is generally 4–8 weeks at a therapeutic dose.

Individual choice is additionally significant. Some individuals may prefer to avoid certain side effects, including sexual problems or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition