Antidepressant Side Effects Like Weight, Blood Pressure Changes Differ by Drug

• An comprehensive latest study found that the unwanted effects of antidepressants range significantly by drug.
• Some medications led to reduced body weight, whereas different drugs led to increased body weight.
• Heart rate and BP furthermore varied notably between drugs.
• Individuals encountering ongoing, intense, or troubling side effects should discuss with a healthcare professional.

Latest investigations has found that antidepressant medication adverse reactions may be more extensive than once assumed.

This comprehensive study, published on October 21, assessed the influence of antidepressant medications on more than 58,000 subjects within the beginning two months of starting therapy.

The scientists examined 151 studies of 30 drugs frequently employed to manage major depression. While not every patient experiences adverse reactions, certain of the most common noted in the study were fluctuations in weight, BP, and metabolic parameters.

The study revealed significant disparities among antidepressant medications. For instance, an two-month regimen of one medication was connected with an typical weight loss of about 2.4 kilograms (approximately 5.3 lbs), while another drug individuals increased almost 2 kg in the equivalent timeframe.

Additionally, significant fluctuations in cardiac function: fluvoxamine was likely to slow cardiac rhythm, in contrast nortriptyline raised it, producing a disparity of around 21 beats per minute among the two drugs. BP differed as well, with an 11 millimeters of mercury variation seen between one drug and doxepin.

Healthcare specialists observed that the research's conclusions are not considered novel or startling to psychiatrists.

"Clinicians have long recognized that different antidepressant medications differ in their impacts on body weight, arterial pressure, and additional metabolic parameters," one specialist explained.

"Nonetheless, what is remarkable about this study is the rigorous, comparison-based measurement of these differences across a wide range of physical indicators employing information from over 58,000 subjects," the specialist added.

The study offers robust evidence of the degree of unwanted effects, several of which are more common than other effects. Typical depression drug adverse reactions may comprise:

• stomach problems (nausea, loose stools, blockage)
• intimacy issues (lowered desire, inability to orgasm)
• body weight fluctuations (addition or reduction, based on the agent)
• sleep problems (sleeplessness or sleepiness)
• dry mouth, moisture, headache

At the same time, rarer but clinically significant unwanted effects may encompass:

• rises in BP or cardiac rhythm (particularly with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and some tricyclics)
• low sodium (notably in elderly individuals, with SSRIs and SNRIs)
• elevated hepatic parameters
• QTc extension (risk of abnormal heart rhythm, particularly with one medication and certain tricyclics)
• diminished feelings or apathy

"One thing to remember here is that there are several varying classes of depression drugs, which lead to the distinct unwanted pharmaceutical effects," another professional stated.

"Additionally, antidepressant drugs can affect every individual distinctly, and unwanted effects can differ depending on the particular pharmaceutical, dosage, and patient factors like metabolism or simultaneous health issues."

While some side effects, like variations in rest, hunger, or energy levels, are quite common and frequently get better over time, other effects may be less typical or longer-lasting.

Antidepressant adverse reactions may range in seriousness, which could require a change in your treatment.

"An adjustment in antidepressant may be appropriate if the patient experiences continuing or unbearable adverse reactions that do not improve with time or supportive care," a professional commented.

"Furthermore, if there is an emergence of recently developed medical issues that may be worsened by the present medication, for instance hypertension, irregular heartbeat, or substantial weight gain."

Individuals may additionally consider consulting with your physician concerning any lack of meaningful progress in low mood or worry indicators subsequent to an sufficient evaluation duration. An adequate trial period is usually 4–8 weeks' time at a effective amount.

Personal inclination is also crucial. Certain patients may choose to prevent specific side effects, like sexual problems or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition