Antidepressant Medication Side Effects Like Body Weight, Blood Pressure Fluctuations Range by Drug

• A large new study found that the unwanted effects of antidepressants range substantially by drug.
• Some pharmaceuticals caused reduced body weight, while different drugs caused weight gain.
• Heart rate and blood pressure furthermore differed significantly across medications.
• Patients experiencing persistent, serious, or concerning side effects must consult a medical provider.

New studies has found that antidepressant adverse reactions may be more varied than once assumed.

This large-scale study, published on October 21st, analyzed the influence of antidepressant medications on more than 58,000 participants within the initial 60 days of starting treatment.

The researchers studied 151 studies of 30 drugs frequently prescribed to address major depression. While not every patient encounters unwanted effects, several of the most frequent recorded in the research were variations in weight, blood pressure, and metabolic markers.

The study revealed significant variations between antidepressant drugs. For instance, an 60-day regimen of one medication was associated with an average decrease in mass of approximately 2.4 kilos (about 5.3 lbs), while maprotiline patients gained nearly 2 kg in the same duration.

There were also, notable variations in cardiovascular activity: one antidepressant tended to reduce cardiac rhythm, in contrast another medication elevated it, causing a gap of about 21 heartbeats per minute among the two drugs. BP varied also, with an 11 millimeters of mercury variation seen among one drug and doxepin.

Healthcare professionals noted that the investigation's conclusions are not novel or surprising to psychiatrists.

"We've long known that different depression drugs vary in their impacts on weight, BP, and further metabolic indicators," a professional stated.

"Nonetheless, what is significant about this research is the rigorous, relative measurement of these disparities across a wide range of physical indicators using findings from more than 58,000 participants," this professional added.

The investigation delivers strong evidence of the extent of side effects, certain of which are more prevalent than others. Common antidepressant unwanted effects may comprise:

• digestive issues (queasiness, loose stools, constipation)
• sexual dysfunction (decreased libido, inability to orgasm)
• mass variations (addition or loss, according to the medication)
• rest issues (inability to sleep or sleepiness)
• mouth dryness, perspiration, headache

Additionally, less frequent but clinically significant adverse reactions may include:

• elevations in BP or heart rate (particularly with SNRIs and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
• low sodium (notably in older adults, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• elevated hepatic parameters
• QTc lengthening (risk of abnormal heart rhythm, particularly with one medication and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
• diminished feelings or indifference

"An important point to note here is that there are various different categories of antidepressant medications, which contribute to the different adverse medication effects," a different specialist stated.

"Moreover, depression treatments can impact each person distinctly, and adverse side effects can differ based on the particular drug, dosage, and patient factors such as body chemistry or comorbidities."

Although some side effects, such as variations in rest, hunger, or vitality, are fairly frequent and frequently enhance over time, different reactions may be less typical or more persistent.

Antidepressant medication side effects may differ in seriousness, which could require a modification in your medication.

"A change in antidepressant medication may be necessary if the patient encounters continuing or unacceptable side effects that fail to enhance with time or management strategies," one professional stated.

"Additionally, if there is an appearance of recently developed medical issues that may be worsened by the existing medication, for instance elevated BP, irregular heartbeat, or considerable mass addition."

You may additionally contemplate consulting with your physician regarding any deficiency of substantial enhancement in depression-related or worry signs subsequent to an appropriate trial period. An sufficient testing period is usually 4–8 weeks duration at a treatment dosage.

Patient inclination is furthermore crucial. Some patients may choose to evade particular side effects, such as sexual problems or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition