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

• An extensive recent investigation determined that the unwanted effects of depression drugs range considerably by drug.
• Some medications resulted in weight loss, while other medications resulted in added mass.
• Pulse rate and blood pressure also differed markedly across drugs.
• Individuals experiencing persistent, intense, or troubling adverse reactions should consult a healthcare professional.

New research has found that depression drug side effects may be more diverse than previously thought.

The extensive research, released on October 21st, analyzed the influence of depression treatments on over 58,000 subjects within the initial eight weeks of commencing medication.

The investigators studied 151 investigations of 30 medications frequently employed to manage depression. While not every patient encounters adverse reactions, several of the most prevalent observed in the research were fluctuations in weight, arterial pressure, and metabolic parameters.

Researchers observed significant differences between depression treatments. As an illustration, an 60-day regimen of one medication was connected with an mean reduction in body weight of around 2.4 kg (approximately 5.3 pounds), whereas maprotiline patients increased almost 2 kg in the same period.

There were also, marked variations in cardiovascular activity: one antidepressant was likely to decrease cardiac rhythm, in contrast nortriptyline elevated it, creating a difference of around 21 heartbeats per minute across the two medications. BP varied too, with an 11 mmHg disparity seen between nortriptyline and another medication.

Healthcare experts noted that the investigation's results aren't new or unexpected to mental health professionals.

"It has long been understood that distinct antidepressant medications vary in their effects on body weight, blood pressure, and other metabolic parameters," one specialist stated.

"Nonetheless, what is notable about this research is the thorough, comparative measurement of these variations across a broad spectrum of physiological parameters utilizing findings from more than 58,000 individuals," the specialist commented.

The study delivers strong support of the degree of unwanted effects, several of which are more frequent than other effects. Frequent antidepressant adverse reactions may encompass:

• digestive issues (nausea, bowel issues, constipation)
• intimacy issues (reduced sex drive, orgasmic dysfunction)
• weight changes (increase or reduction, based on the agent)
• rest issues (sleeplessness or sedation)
• dry mouth, perspiration, migraine

Additionally, rarer but medically important side effects may encompass:

• rises in arterial pressure or pulse rate (especially with SNRIs and some tricyclics)
• reduced blood sodium (especially in senior patients, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• liver enzyme elevations
• QTc prolongation (risk of irregular heartbeat, particularly with citalopram and some tricyclic antidepressants)
• diminished feelings or apathy

"A key factor to note in this context is that there are multiple different categories of antidepressants, which contribute to the different unwanted drug side effects," a different specialist stated.

"Furthermore, depression treatments can impact each person variably, and adverse side effects can differ based on the particular drug, dose, and patient factors like metabolic rate or simultaneous health issues."

Although several unwanted effects, like changes in rest, hunger, or energy levels, are fairly typical and commonly improve with time, other effects may be less typical or longer-lasting.

Depression drug side effects may range in intensity, which could justify a change in your drug.

"An modification in antidepressant may be warranted if the person encounters ongoing or unacceptable side effects that fail to enhance with duration or supportive measures," one professional stated.

"Moreover, if there is an emergence of new medical conditions that may be worsened by the current drug, for example hypertension, arrhythmia, or considerable increased body weight."

You may additionally think about speaking with your healthcare provider regarding any lack of substantial progress in low mood or worry indicators subsequent to an appropriate testing period. The sufficient trial period is usually 4–8 weeks at a effective dose.

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