Antidepressant Medication Side Effects Such as Body Weight, BP Variations Differ by Drug

• An extensive new research found that the adverse reactions of antidepressant medications differ significantly by drug.
• Certain medications led to reduced body weight, whereas other medications resulted in weight gain.
• Pulse rate and arterial pressure also differed markedly between treatments.
• Individuals suffering from persistent, serious, or concerning side effects should speak with a medical provider.

Latest studies has revealed that depression drug unwanted effects may be more extensive than previously thought.

The extensive investigation, issued on October 21st, analyzed the effect of depression treatments on in excess of 58,000 individuals within the first two months of starting medication.

The scientists analyzed 151 research projects of 30 drugs commonly used to manage depression. Although not everyone encounters adverse reactions, certain of the most prevalent recorded in the investigation were changes in weight, blood pressure, and metabolic markers.

There were notable differences between antidepressant drugs. For example, an eight-week course of one medication was connected with an average decrease in mass of about 2.4 kg (roughly 5.3 lbs), whereas another drug patients increased almost 2 kg in the equivalent duration.

Furthermore, notable fluctuations in heart function: one antidepressant tended to slow pulse rate, while nortriptyline raised it, creating a disparity of approximately 21 heartbeats per minute among the both treatments. Blood pressure fluctuated also, with an 11 millimeters of mercury disparity noted across one drug and another medication.

Medical professionals commented that the investigation's findings are not considered recent or startling to psychiatrists.

"It has long been understood that various antidepressants range in their influences on weight, arterial pressure, and other metabolic indicators," one specialist commented.

"Nevertheless, what is significant about this research is the thorough, comparison-based assessment of these disparities throughout a broad array of physiological parameters employing data from over 58,000 individuals," the professional added.

The research offers robust proof of the extent of unwanted effects, some of which are more prevalent than others. Frequent antidepressant adverse reactions may encompass:

• gastrointestinal symptoms (sickness, loose stools, irregularity)
• sexual dysfunction (reduced sex drive, inability to orgasm)
• mass variations (increase or loss, based on the agent)
• rest issues (inability to sleep or sedation)
• oral dehydration, sweating, headache

Additionally, less common but clinically significant unwanted effects may encompass:

• rises in blood pressure or pulse rate (especially with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and certain tricyclics)
• reduced blood sodium (especially in elderly individuals, with SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• elevated hepatic parameters
• Corrected QT interval extension (risk of irregular heartbeat, particularly with one medication and some tricyclics)
• diminished feelings or apathy

"A key factor to remember here is that there are several distinct classes of depression drugs, which result in the different negative drug effects," another expert commented.

"Additionally, depression treatments can influence each person variably, and adverse effects can range based on the particular drug, dose, and individual factors such as metabolism or comorbidities."

While some unwanted effects, such as fluctuations in rest, hunger, or stamina, are fairly common and often get better over time, other effects may be less frequent or continuing.

Antidepressant medication adverse reactions may vary in severity, which could warrant a modification in your medication.

"A adjustment in antidepressant medication may be appropriate if the patient encounters continuing or unbearable side effects that do not improve with duration or management strategies," a specialist said.

"Additionally, if there is an emergence of new health problems that may be exacerbated by the present treatment, such as elevated BP, abnormal heart rhythm, or substantial weight gain."

You may furthermore think about talking with your physician concerning any absence of substantial improvement in depression-related or anxiety indicators after an sufficient evaluation duration. An adequate evaluation duration is typically 4–8 weeks at a effective dosage.

Patient preference is additionally significant. Certain people may choose to prevent specific adverse reactions, such as intimacy issues or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition