Antidepressant Adverse Reactions Including Weight, Blood Pressure Fluctuations Range Depending on Medication

• A extensive recent research discovered that the side effects of antidepressant medications vary significantly by drug.
• Certain pharmaceuticals resulted in reduced body weight, whereas others caused increased body weight.
• Cardiac rhythm and arterial pressure additionally varied markedly between medications.
• Those encountering persistent, intense, or concerning unwanted effects ought to consult a healthcare professional.

Latest research has found that depression drug adverse reactions may be more varied than once assumed.

The extensive study, released on the 21st of October, examined the influence of antidepressant medications on in excess of 58,000 participants within the first eight weeks of starting medication.

The researchers analyzed 151 investigations of 30 drugs frequently prescribed to manage depression. While not all individuals encounters side effects, some of the most prevalent noted in the research were variations in weight, arterial pressure, and metabolic markers.

There were significant differences between antidepressant drugs. For instance, an 60-day treatment period of one medication was linked to an typical decrease in mass of about 2.4 kg (approximately 5.3 pounds), while maprotiline individuals gained close to 2 kg in the identical duration.

Additionally, significant fluctuations in cardiac function: fluvoxamine was likely to reduce cardiac rhythm, while another medication raised it, producing a gap of approximately 21 heartbeats per minute among the two medications. BP varied too, with an 11 mmHg variation seen across nortriptyline and doxepin.

Clinical professionals commented that the research's findings are not recent or startling to psychiatric specialists.

"Clinicians have long recognized that distinct antidepressant medications differ in their effects on body weight, BP, and other metabolic parameters," a expert explained.

"Nonetheless, what is remarkable about this study is the thorough, relative quantification of these variations across a extensive range of physiological parameters utilizing information from over 58,000 participants," this specialist commented.

The research provides strong evidence of the degree of unwanted effects, certain of which are more prevalent than others. Frequent antidepressant medication side effects may comprise:

• stomach problems (queasiness, loose stools, constipation)
• sexual dysfunction (decreased libido, inability to orgasm)
• body weight fluctuations (increase or decrease, depending on the drug)
• sleep problems (sleeplessness or sleepiness)
• mouth dryness, moisture, head pain

Meanwhile, less common but therapeutically relevant unwanted effects may comprise:

• increases in blood pressure or heart rate (notably with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and some tricyclics)
• reduced blood sodium (notably in elderly individuals, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and SNRIs)
• elevated hepatic parameters
• QTc extension (risk of irregular heartbeat, particularly with citalopram and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
• diminished feelings or lack of interest

"One thing to note in this context is that there are several varying classes of antidepressant medications, which lead to the distinct unwanted pharmaceutical reactions," a different specialist commented.

"Moreover, antidepressant drugs can affect every individual variably, and negative effects can differ depending on the specific medication, dosage, and individual factors such as metabolism or simultaneous health issues."

Although several adverse reactions, such as changes in rest, hunger, or stamina, are quite common and commonly get better over time, other effects may be less typical or continuing.

Antidepressant medication unwanted effects may differ in seriousness, which could warrant a modification in your treatment.

"A change in depression drug may be warranted if the person encounters persistent or unacceptable adverse reactions that don't get better with time or supportive measures," a specialist stated.

"Moreover, if there is an emergence of recent medical conditions that may be aggravated by the current treatment, for example high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythm, or substantial increased body weight."

You may also think about consulting with your doctor about any deficiency of meaningful progress in depressive or worry symptoms subsequent to an appropriate trial period. The sufficient evaluation duration is typically 4–8 weeks' time at a treatment dose.

Patient preference is furthermore significant. Some patients may choose to prevent specific side effects, including sexual dysfunction or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition