Antidepressant Medication Side Effects Including Weight, Blood Pressure Fluctuations Differ Depending on Medication

• A extensive new investigation discovered that the adverse reactions of antidepressant medications range significantly by drug.
• Some pharmaceuticals resulted in decreased mass, whereas other medications led to increased body weight.
• Cardiac rhythm and BP additionally differed markedly across medications.
• Patients suffering from continuing, intense, or concerning adverse reactions should speak with a healthcare professional.

Latest research has discovered that depression drug unwanted effects may be more varied than previously thought.

This comprehensive investigation, published on October 21, examined the influence of antidepressant drugs on in excess of 58,000 participants within the initial two months of commencing therapy.

These scientists examined 151 research projects of 30 pharmaceuticals commonly employed to treat major depression. While not every patient experiences side effects, certain of the most prevalent recorded in the investigation were fluctuations in weight, arterial pressure, and metabolic markers.

There were striking variations between antidepressant medications. As an illustration, an eight-week regimen of one medication was connected with an typical reduction in body weight of about 2.4 kg (about 5.3 lbs), while another drug patients increased nearly 2 kg in the identical timeframe.

Furthermore, notable fluctuations in cardiac function: fluvoxamine was likely to slow pulse rate, in contrast nortriptyline elevated it, causing a gap of around 21 heartbeats per minute among the two drugs. Blood pressure fluctuated as well, with an 11 millimeters of mercury disparity noted among one drug and doxepin.

Healthcare professionals noted that the investigation's findings aren't new or startling to psychiatrists.

"Clinicians have long recognized that various antidepressants vary in their effects on body weight, arterial pressure, and further metabolic parameters," a expert stated.

"Nevertheless, what is remarkable about this study is the comprehensive, relative quantification of these variations among a wide array of physiological parameters utilizing findings from over 58,000 individuals," the professional added.

This investigation delivers robust support of the extent of adverse reactions, several of which are more prevalent than other effects. Common antidepressant medication unwanted effects may encompass:

• gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, loose stools, constipation)
• sexual dysfunction (reduced sex drive, orgasmic dysfunction)
• mass variations (addition or reduction, based on the medication)
• rest issues (sleeplessness or drowsiness)
• mouth dryness, moisture, headache

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

• elevations in blood pressure or heart rate (notably with SNRIs and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
• reduced blood sodium (especially in senior patients, with SSRIs and SNRIs)
• elevated hepatic parameters
• QTc extension (risk of irregular heartbeat, notably with citalopram and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
• reduced emotions or apathy

"One thing to consider regarding this matter is that there are multiple distinct categories of antidepressants, which contribute to the varying adverse pharmaceutical effects," a different specialist stated.

"Furthermore, antidepressant medications can impact each person differently, and adverse effects can range depending on the specific medication, amount, and patient considerations like metabolic rate or simultaneous health issues."

Although several side effects, including fluctuations in rest, appetite, or vitality, are reasonably typical and frequently enhance with time, different reactions may be less common or more persistent.

Depression drug unwanted effects may range in seriousness, which could warrant a modification in your drug.

"A modification in depression drug may be necessary if the person suffers continuing or unacceptable side effects that do not improve with time or supportive care," one expert said.

"Furthermore, if there is an appearance of recent medical conditions that may be exacerbated by the present treatment, for example hypertension, arrhythmia, or substantial increased body weight."

You may additionally contemplate speaking with your healthcare provider regarding any lack of significant enhancement in low mood or anxiety-related signs following an appropriate testing period. An sufficient evaluation duration is typically 4–8 weeks at a therapeutic dose.

Personal inclination is also crucial. Certain people may prefer to prevent specific adverse reactions, including intimacy issues or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition