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

• An large recent study found that the adverse reactions of antidepressants vary considerably by drug.
• Some medications resulted in weight loss, while different drugs resulted in weight gain.
• Pulse rate and BP additionally diverged significantly across drugs.
• Those encountering persistent, serious, or troubling side effects ought to discuss with a medical provider.

New research has revealed that depression drug side effects may be more diverse than once assumed.

This comprehensive study, published on the 21st of October, examined the impact of depression treatments on in excess of 58,000 participants within the initial eight weeks of starting treatment.

These researchers analyzed 151 investigations of 30 pharmaceuticals typically employed to treat clinical depression. While not everyone develops side effects, some of the most common recorded in the research were fluctuations in body weight, arterial pressure, and metabolic indicators.

The study revealed significant differences among antidepressant drugs. As an illustration, an eight-week course of one medication was linked to an mean weight loss of around 2.4 kilograms (about 5.3 pounds), whereas maprotiline individuals added almost 2 kg in the same duration.

There were also, significant changes in cardiac function: fluvoxamine tended to decrease heart rate, while another medication raised it, causing a gap of about 21 BPM between the two drugs. Arterial pressure varied too, with an 11 millimeters of mercury disparity seen across one drug and doxepin.

Healthcare specialists observed that the investigation's results are not new or surprising to psychiatrists.

"Clinicians have long recognized that distinct antidepressant medications vary in their impacts on body weight, arterial pressure, and other metabolic indicators," a professional commented.

"However, what is remarkable about this research is the rigorous, comparison-based measurement of these differences throughout a wide range of physiological parameters using findings from in excess of 58,000 participants," this expert added.

This investigation offers comprehensive support of the extent of unwanted effects, several of which are more common than other effects. Typical antidepressant medication unwanted effects may include:

• stomach problems (nausea, diarrhea, constipation)
• intimacy issues (decreased libido, anorgasmia)
• body weight fluctuations (addition or loss, based on the drug)
• rest issues (inability to sleep or drowsiness)
• mouth dryness, perspiration, headache

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

• elevations in arterial pressure or pulse rate (particularly with SNRIs and some tricyclic antidepressants)
• hyponatremia (especially in elderly individuals, with SSRIs and SNRIs)
• increased liver enzymes
• Corrected QT interval prolongation (potential of irregular heartbeat, notably with citalopram and some tricyclics)
• emotional blunting or lack of interest

"One thing to consider regarding this matter is that there are several different classes of depression drugs, which lead to the varying unwanted medication effects," another expert stated.

"Additionally, antidepressant medications can impact each person differently, and unwanted reactions can range according to the particular pharmaceutical, dosage, and individual factors like metabolic rate or co-occurring conditions."

Although certain adverse reactions, like fluctuations in rest, appetite, or stamina, are reasonably typical and frequently get better with time, other effects may be less frequent or more persistent.

Depression drug side effects may vary in severity, which could require a modification in your treatment.

"A adjustment in antidepressant may be necessary if the patient encounters persistent or intolerable adverse reactions that fail to enhance with duration or supportive measures," one expert commented.

"Furthermore, if there is an emergence of new medical conditions that may be worsened by the present drug, such as high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, or considerable increased body weight."

You may additionally consider speaking with your doctor regarding any absence of substantial enhancement in low mood or anxiety-related signs after an sufficient trial period. An appropriate testing period is typically 4–8 weeks at a effective dosage.

Patient preference is also crucial. Certain people may want to avoid specific unwanted effects, including sexual problems or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition