Antidepressant Unwanted Effects Such as Weight, Blood Pressure Changes Range by Drug

• An extensive recent study found that the side effects of antidepressants differ considerably by drug.
• Certain drugs resulted in weight loss, while different drugs led to increased body weight.
• Pulse rate and arterial pressure also diverged markedly across treatments.
• Individuals encountering persistent, intense, or troubling adverse reactions ought to speak with a medical provider.

New research has found that antidepressant medication side effects may be more varied than previously thought.

The large-scale investigation, published on October 21, examined the influence of antidepressant drugs on more than 58,000 participants within the beginning eight weeks of commencing therapy.

These scientists studied 151 research projects of 30 drugs frequently prescribed to address clinical depression. While not everyone develops adverse reactions, several of the most frequent recorded in the research were fluctuations in body weight, blood pressure, and metabolic parameters.

Researchers observed significant disparities across antidepressant medications. As an illustration, an two-month treatment period of one medication was connected with an average reduction in body weight of around 2.4 kg (about 5.3 lbs), whereas maprotiline individuals increased almost 2 kg in the equivalent duration.

Furthermore, significant variations in cardiac function: fluvoxamine tended to decrease heart rate, whereas nortriptyline raised it, creating a disparity of around 21 heartbeats per minute across the both treatments. Blood pressure varied as well, with an 11 millimeters of mercury disparity seen between one drug and doxepin.

Healthcare experts observed that the investigation's results are not novel or surprising to mental health professionals.

"We've long known that different antidepressant medications differ in their influences on body weight, arterial pressure, and other metabolic measures," a expert explained.

"Nonetheless, what is remarkable about this research is the comprehensive, relative assessment of these disparities across a broad spectrum of physiological parameters using information from over 58,000 subjects," this professional added.

The research provides strong evidence of the extent of adverse reactions, several of which are more frequent than others. Typical antidepressant side effects may encompass:

• gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, loose stools, blockage)
• intimacy issues (lowered desire, anorgasmia)
• body weight fluctuations (gain or decrease, depending on the agent)
• sleep disturbances (sleeplessness or sedation)
• mouth dryness, perspiration, migraine

Meanwhile, rarer but medically important adverse reactions may encompass:

• elevations in arterial pressure or pulse rate (especially with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and certain tricyclics)
• low sodium (especially in older adults, with SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• increased liver enzymes
• QTc lengthening (potential of arrhythmia, especially with citalopram and certain tricyclics)
• reduced emotions or lack of interest

"An important point to note in this context is that there are multiple varying categories of antidepressant medications, which lead to the varying adverse pharmaceutical side effects," a different expert stated.

"Furthermore, depression treatments can impact every individual distinctly, and unwanted effects can range according to the exact medication, dosage, and patient factors such as body chemistry or comorbidities."

Although several side effects, including changes in sleep, appetite, or vitality, are reasonably frequent and frequently improve with time, different reactions may be less frequent or continuing.

Antidepressant medication side effects may differ in intensity, which could require a change in your drug.

"An modification in antidepressant medication may be necessary if the person encounters ongoing or unacceptable side effects that fail to enhance with passing days or supportive care," a specialist said.

"Furthermore, if there is an development of recent medical conditions that may be worsened by the current treatment, for instance elevated BP, irregular heartbeat, or significant mass addition."

Patients may additionally consider talking with your physician about any deficiency of meaningful improvement in low mood or anxiety-related signs subsequent to an appropriate evaluation duration. An sufficient trial period is generally 4–8 weeks' time at a treatment dose.

Patient choice is additionally crucial. Certain people may choose to avoid particular side effects, like sexual problems or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition