Antidepressant Side Effects Like Body Weight, BP Changes Vary Depending on Medication

• An large recent investigation determined that the adverse reactions of antidepressants range substantially by drug.
• Some pharmaceuticals resulted in reduced body weight, whereas others caused weight gain.
• Cardiac rhythm and BP also diverged significantly among medications.
• Patients experiencing ongoing, severe, or worrisome adverse reactions must speak with a medical provider.

Recent investigations has found that antidepressant medication adverse reactions may be more varied than previously thought.

This comprehensive investigation, issued on October 21, examined the impact of antidepressant medications on in excess of 58,000 participants within the first two months of commencing medication.

These researchers analyzed 151 research projects of 30 drugs typically prescribed to manage depression. While not all individuals develops unwanted effects, certain of the most prevalent noted in the study were fluctuations in body weight, blood pressure, and metabolic parameters.

There were notable variations across antidepressant drugs. For example, an 60-day regimen of one medication was linked to an mean weight loss of approximately 2.4 kilos (about 5.3 lbs), while another drug individuals gained almost 2 kg in the identical timeframe.

Furthermore, notable fluctuations in cardiovascular activity: fluvoxamine was likely to slow pulse rate, while nortriptyline elevated it, producing a disparity of about 21 beats per minute among the two medications. BP differed too, with an 11 mmHg difference noted among nortriptyline and another medication.

Clinical professionals noted that the investigation's conclusions are not considered novel or startling to psychiatric specialists.

"Clinicians have long recognized that various antidepressant medications differ in their influences on body weight, arterial pressure, and additional metabolic measures," one specialist explained.

"Nevertheless, what is notable about this study is the comprehensive, comparison-based measurement of these differences across a broad spectrum of physical indicators utilizing findings from in excess of 58,000 participants," the professional noted.

This research delivers robust evidence of the degree of unwanted effects, certain of which are more prevalent than other effects. Frequent antidepressant medication unwanted effects may comprise:

• digestive issues (nausea, diarrhea, blockage)
• sexual dysfunction (decreased libido, inability to orgasm)
• mass variations (addition or reduction, depending on the medication)
• rest issues (inability to sleep or sedation)
• oral dehydration, sweating, headache

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

• rises in arterial pressure or pulse rate (especially with SNRIs and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
• reduced blood sodium (particularly in senior patients, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and SNRIs)
• liver enzyme elevations
• QTc extension (risk of abnormal heart rhythm, notably with citalopram and some tricyclic antidepressants)
• emotional blunting or apathy

"A key factor to note here is that there are various varying categories of depression drugs, which contribute to the varying unwanted pharmaceutical effects," a different specialist explained.

"Furthermore, depression treatments can affect each person differently, and adverse side effects can differ depending on the exact drug, dose, and patient elements like metabolism or comorbidities."

Although several adverse reactions, like changes in sleep, hunger, or stamina, are reasonably frequent and often improve over time, other effects may be less common or longer-lasting.

Antidepressant medication unwanted effects may range in severity, which could justify a modification in your medication.

"A change in depression drug may be appropriate if the patient encounters continuing or unbearable side effects that don't get better with duration or supportive care," a professional stated.

"Additionally, if there is an appearance of recent health problems that may be aggravated by the existing medication, for instance high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, or considerable mass addition."

Individuals may additionally contemplate talking with your physician concerning any absence of substantial improvement in low mood or anxiety indicators subsequent to an appropriate testing period. An sufficient trial period is usually 4–8 weeks at a therapeutic dose.

Patient inclination is also important. Certain individuals may want to prevent particular adverse reactions, such as sexual dysfunction or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition