Antidepressant Side Effects Such as Weight, Blood Pressure Fluctuations Vary by Drug

• A extensive latest investigation discovered that the unwanted effects of antidepressant medications vary considerably by drug.
• Certain medications resulted in decreased mass, whereas other medications resulted in added mass.
• Pulse rate and blood pressure furthermore diverged markedly across treatments.
• Those suffering from ongoing, severe, or troubling side effects ought to consult a healthcare professional.

Recent investigations has found that depression drug adverse reactions may be more diverse than earlier believed.

The extensive investigation, issued on October 21st, examined the impact of antidepressant drugs on over 58,000 individuals within the first 60 days of beginning therapy.

The researchers analyzed 151 research projects of 30 drugs frequently prescribed to address depression. Although not everyone develops adverse reactions, several of the most common recorded in the research were variations in body weight, BP, and metabolic indicators.

The study revealed notable variations across antidepressant medications. For instance, an eight-week course of one medication was linked to an mean weight loss of approximately 2.4 kilograms (approximately 5.3 lbs), whereas maprotiline users increased almost 2 kg in the equivalent timeframe.

There were also, significant fluctuations in heart function: one antidepressant was likely to decrease pulse rate, whereas another medication increased it, creating a disparity of about 21 BPM across the two medications. Blood pressure fluctuated as well, with an 11 mmHg disparity noted between nortriptyline and doxepin.

Healthcare professionals observed that the research's conclusions are not considered novel or unexpected to mental health professionals.

"It has long been understood that distinct antidepressant medications range in their effects on weight, blood pressure, and further metabolic indicators," a expert stated.

"However, what is significant about this research is the thorough, comparative quantification of these disparities across a extensive array of physical indicators employing information from in excess of 58,000 individuals," the specialist noted.

This study delivers robust proof of the magnitude of adverse reactions, certain of which are more prevalent than different reactions. Typical depression drug side effects may comprise:

• gastrointestinal symptoms (sickness, bowel issues, blockage)
• sexual dysfunction (reduced sex drive, anorgasmia)
• body weight fluctuations (addition or loss, depending on the agent)
• sleep disturbances (sleeplessness or sleepiness)
• dry mouth, sweating, headache

Additionally, less frequent but therapeutically relevant adverse reactions may include:

• increases in blood pressure or pulse rate (particularly with SNRIs and some tricyclics)
• hyponatremia (notably in older adults, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and SNRIs)
• liver enzyme elevations
• QTc extension (potential of abnormal heart rhythm, notably with citalopram and certain tricyclics)
• emotional blunting or apathy

"A key factor to remember here is that there are various varying categories of depression drugs, which result in the different negative medication reactions," a different professional stated.

"Additionally, antidepressant medications can affect every individual differently, and unwanted reactions can range according to the particular pharmaceutical, dose, and personal considerations including metabolic rate or comorbidities."

Although several side effects, like variations in rest, appetite, or stamina, are quite typical and frequently improve as time passes, other effects may be less typical or continuing.

Antidepressant medication side effects may vary in seriousness, which could warrant a change in your treatment.

"A change in depression drug may be appropriate if the person encounters continuing or intolerable adverse reactions that do not improve with duration or management strategies," a expert stated.

"Furthermore, if there is an appearance of new medical conditions that may be worsened by the current medication, such as high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythm, or considerable increased body weight."

Patients may also contemplate talking with your physician concerning any deficiency of significant progress in low mood or worry symptoms following an adequate testing period. The adequate evaluation duration is generally 4–8 weeks duration at a treatment dose.

Personal preference is also important. Certain individuals may want to avoid particular adverse reactions, like sexual dysfunction or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition