Antidepressant Side Effects Like Weight, Blood Pressure Changes Differ Depending on Medication

• A large latest research determined that the side effects of depression drugs range considerably by drug.
• Some drugs resulted in decreased mass, whereas other medications led to added mass.
• Cardiac rhythm and blood pressure furthermore differed notably between medications.
• Individuals suffering from ongoing, severe, or worrisome adverse reactions should discuss with a healthcare professional.

Latest studies has revealed that depression drug adverse reactions may be more varied than previously thought.

The extensive research, released on October 21, examined the effect of depression treatments on over 58,000 individuals within the first 60 days of commencing treatment.

The researchers analyzed 151 research projects of 30 medications commonly prescribed to manage major depression. Although not everyone develops adverse reactions, certain of the most common recorded in the research were changes in body weight, blood pressure, and metabolic parameters.

There were striking differences across antidepressant medications. As an illustration, an two-month course of agomelatine was associated with an average weight loss of around 2.4 kilos (approximately 5.3 lbs), while maprotiline patients added nearly 2 kg in the equivalent period.

Additionally, marked changes in heart function: one antidepressant was likely to reduce pulse rate, in contrast nortriptyline raised it, causing a gap of approximately 21 heartbeats per minute across the two medications. Blood pressure differed as well, with an 11 mmHg variation noted across one drug and doxepin.

Healthcare specialists commented that the research's results are not new or unexpected to mental health professionals.

"Clinicians have long recognized that distinct antidepressants range in their effects on weight, arterial pressure, and other metabolic measures," a expert explained.

"However, what is significant about this investigation is the comprehensive, comparison-based measurement of these disparities across a wide array of bodily measurements utilizing information from in excess of 58,000 individuals," the specialist commented.

The study provides strong evidence of the degree of side effects, some of which are more common than different reactions. Frequent antidepressant medication adverse reactions may include:

• stomach problems (nausea, bowel issues, irregularity)
• sexual dysfunction (reduced sex drive, inability to orgasm)
• mass variations (gain or decrease, according to the drug)
• rest issues (inability to sleep or drowsiness)
• dry mouth, sweating, head pain

At the same time, less common but clinically significant adverse reactions may comprise:

• rises in arterial pressure or heart rate (notably with SNRIs and certain tricyclics)
• low sodium (particularly in older adults, with SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• liver enzyme elevations
• Corrected QT interval lengthening (potential of abnormal heart rhythm, particularly with citalopram and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
• emotional blunting or indifference

"One thing to note in this context is that there are several distinct categories of antidepressants, which lead to the distinct adverse pharmaceutical reactions," a different professional explained.

"Additionally, antidepressant medications can impact every individual distinctly, and unwanted effects can differ according to the particular pharmaceutical, dosage, and individual elements including body chemistry or comorbidities."

While some side effects, including fluctuations in sleep, appetite, or vitality, are fairly frequent and often get better with time, different reactions may be less common or more persistent.

Antidepressant adverse reactions may differ in seriousness, which could warrant a change in your medication.

"A change in antidepressant may be warranted if the patient experiences continuing or unbearable unwanted effects that don't get better with duration or supportive measures," one professional said.

"Furthermore, if there is an emergence of recently developed medical issues that may be worsened by the current medication, such as elevated BP, irregular heartbeat, or considerable mass addition."

You may also think about speaking with your physician regarding any absence of significant progress in depressive or worry signs subsequent to an sufficient trial period. An sufficient testing period is usually 4–8 weeks at a therapeutic amount.

Patient choice is also important. Some patients may prefer to evade particular unwanted effects, such as intimacy issues or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition