Antidepressant Side Effects Such as Weight, Blood Pressure Changes Differ Depending on Medication

• An comprehensive latest study discovered that the side effects of depression drugs differ significantly by drug.
• Some pharmaceuticals led to reduced body weight, while different drugs caused increased body weight.
• Cardiac rhythm and blood pressure additionally diverged notably across drugs.
• Those experiencing ongoing, serious, or worrisome unwanted effects must discuss with a medical provider.

New investigations has revealed that antidepressant unwanted effects may be more varied than previously thought.

The large-scale study, published on the 21st of October, examined the effect of antidepressant drugs on more than 58,000 individuals within the initial two months of beginning treatment.

The scientists studied 151 studies of 30 medications typically prescribed to address depression. Although not every patient experiences adverse reactions, some of the most frequent recorded in the investigation were changes in body weight, BP, and metabolic markers.

Researchers observed striking variations among depression treatments. For instance, an 60-day course of one medication was linked to an average reduction in body weight of about 2.4 kilos (approximately 5.3 lbs), whereas another drug individuals gained close to 2 kg in the identical duration.

Additionally, notable changes in heart function: one antidepressant tended to slow heart rate, whereas nortriptyline raised it, creating a gap of about 21 heartbeats per minute among the two drugs. Arterial pressure fluctuated as well, with an 11 mmHg variation seen across one drug and another medication.

Healthcare professionals commented that the investigation's results are not considered recent or surprising to psychiatric specialists.

"It has long been understood that different depression drugs differ in their influences on body weight, arterial pressure, and additional metabolic measures," a expert stated.

"Nevertheless, what is notable about this research is the rigorous, comparison-based assessment of these variations among a broad array of physical indicators utilizing data from over 58,000 individuals," this professional noted.

This study provides comprehensive evidence of the degree of unwanted effects, certain of which are more frequent than different reactions. Typical antidepressant medication adverse reactions may encompass:

• gastrointestinal symptoms (queasiness, loose stools, irregularity)
• intimacy issues (decreased libido, inability to orgasm)
• mass variations (increase or reduction, based on the medication)
• sleep problems (insomnia or sleepiness)
• dry mouth, sweating, migraine

At the same time, less common but therapeutically relevant adverse reactions may include:

• elevations in blood pressure or pulse rate (particularly with SNRIs and certain tricyclics)
• hyponatremia (particularly in senior patients, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• elevated hepatic parameters
• Corrected QT interval prolongation (potential of arrhythmia, especially with one medication and some tricyclics)
• reduced emotions or apathy

"One thing to remember regarding this matter is that there are several different classes of antidepressants, which result in the different negative pharmaceutical effects," another expert explained.

"Moreover, antidepressant drugs can affect each patient distinctly, and unwanted reactions can vary depending on the particular drug, amount, and personal factors such as metabolic rate or comorbidities."

While certain side effects, including fluctuations in sleep, appetite, or energy levels, are reasonably typical and commonly enhance as time passes, other effects may be less typical or continuing.

Depression drug unwanted effects may range in intensity, which could justify a adjustment in your treatment.

"An change in antidepressant may be warranted if the individual encounters ongoing or unacceptable unwanted effects that do not improve with passing days or management strategies," one specialist stated.

"Additionally, if there is an development of recent medical conditions that may be exacerbated by the present treatment, for example high blood pressure, arrhythmia, or substantial mass addition."

Patients may additionally contemplate consulting with your physician concerning any absence of substantial enhancement in depression-related or worry signs following an appropriate trial period. An appropriate trial period is usually 4–8 weeks duration at a treatment amount.

Personal inclination is additionally important. Some people may choose to evade particular unwanted effects, such as sexual problems or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition