Antidepressant Medication Adverse Reactions Including Weight, Blood Pressure Changes Vary Depending on Medication

• A large new study determined that the unwanted effects of antidepressants differ significantly by drug.
• Some drugs resulted in decreased mass, whereas different drugs caused increased body weight.
• Heart rate and arterial pressure furthermore diverged notably between medications.
• Patients experiencing ongoing, intense, or concerning unwanted effects must discuss with a physician.

Latest research has found that antidepressant medication adverse reactions may be more extensive than earlier believed.

The comprehensive investigation, published on October 21st, assessed the impact of depression treatments on more than 58,000 individuals within the beginning two months of beginning medication.

These researchers studied 151 studies of 30 medications typically used to address clinical depression. While not everyone experiences side effects, certain of the most common noted in the research were changes in body weight, blood pressure, and metabolic indicators.

There were significant disparities across depression treatments. As an illustration, an two-month course of one medication was linked to an average reduction in body weight of approximately 2.4 kilos (approximately 5.3 pounds), while maprotiline users added nearly 2 kg in the equivalent duration.

Additionally, significant fluctuations in cardiac function: one antidepressant was likely to decrease pulse rate, while nortriptyline increased it, creating a gap of around 21 BPM among the both treatments. BP differed as well, with an 11 millimeters of mercury difference noted between nortriptyline and another medication.

Clinical professionals noted that the research's findings aren't new or startling to psychiatrists.

"We've long known that distinct depression drugs differ in their effects on weight, BP, and additional metabolic parameters," a expert stated.

"Nevertheless, what is remarkable about this study is the thorough, comparative assessment of these disparities across a extensive spectrum of bodily measurements using information from over 58,000 individuals," the specialist commented.

This study provides strong evidence of the extent of adverse reactions, some of which are more prevalent than different reactions. Frequent antidepressant medication unwanted effects may encompass:

• digestive issues (sickness, bowel issues, irregularity)
• sexual dysfunction (reduced sex drive, inability to orgasm)
• weight changes (addition or loss, according to the drug)
• rest issues (insomnia or drowsiness)
• mouth dryness, perspiration, headache

Meanwhile, rarer but clinically significant unwanted effects may encompass:

• increases in BP or pulse rate (notably with SNRIs and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
• hyponatremia (especially in senior patients, with SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• elevated hepatic parameters
• QTc extension (potential of irregular heartbeat, notably with citalopram and some tricyclic antidepressants)
• emotional blunting or apathy

"One thing to consider here is that there are various distinct categories of depression drugs, which contribute to the distinct adverse pharmaceutical effects," a different professional explained.

"Moreover, depression treatments can impact each person variably, and negative effects can vary depending on the exact medication, dose, and individual considerations including body chemistry or simultaneous health issues."

While several side effects, including fluctuations in sleep, hunger, or stamina, are quite frequent and commonly improve with time, others may be less common or continuing.

Antidepressant adverse reactions may vary in seriousness, which could require a change in your drug.

"An adjustment in antidepressant may be appropriate if the individual experiences persistent or unacceptable unwanted effects that fail to enhance with time or supportive measures," one expert commented.

"Additionally, if there is an emergence of recently developed health problems that may be aggravated by the existing medication, for example hypertension, abnormal heart rhythm, or considerable increased body weight."

You may additionally contemplate consulting with your healthcare provider concerning any lack of substantial enhancement in depressive or worry signs after an sufficient trial period. An adequate trial period is generally 4–8 weeks duration at a therapeutic amount.

Patient inclination is additionally significant. Certain individuals may prefer to avoid particular side effects, such as intimacy issues or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition