Antidepressant Side Effects Such as Body Weight, Blood Pressure Changes Differ Depending on Medication

• A large latest investigation discovered that the adverse reactions of depression drugs vary considerably by drug.
• Some drugs resulted in decreased mass, while different drugs caused added mass.
• Cardiac rhythm and BP also varied markedly across medications.
• Those experiencing continuing, intense, or worrisome unwanted effects should speak with a physician.

Recent investigations has found that antidepressant adverse reactions may be more varied than once assumed.

This extensive research, published on the 21st of October, analyzed the impact of depression treatments on over 58,000 individuals within the initial eight weeks of beginning medication.

These scientists examined 151 studies of 30 medications typically employed to manage depression. Although not everyone experiences adverse reactions, several of the most prevalent observed in the study were changes in body weight, arterial pressure, and metabolic indicators.

Researchers observed significant disparities between antidepressant drugs. For example, an eight-week regimen of one medication was associated with an typical decrease in mass of about 2.4 kilos (approximately 5.3 pounds), while another drug patients gained almost 2 kg in the same timeframe.

Additionally, marked changes in heart function: fluvoxamine tended to decrease heart rate, in contrast another medication raised it, causing a disparity of about 21 heartbeats per minute between the both treatments. Blood pressure varied too, with an 11 millimeters of mercury variation noted among nortriptyline and doxepin.

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

"Clinicians have long recognized that distinct antidepressant medications vary in their effects on body weight, BP, and other metabolic indicators," a expert commented.

"However, what is significant about this investigation is the thorough, comparative measurement of these differences across a broad spectrum of bodily measurements utilizing findings from over 58,000 subjects," the professional commented.

This investigation delivers strong evidence of the extent of side effects, some of which are more prevalent than other effects. Frequent antidepressant adverse reactions may comprise:

• stomach problems (queasiness, bowel issues, blockage)
• intimacy issues (lowered desire, inability to orgasm)
• body weight fluctuations (gain or loss, according to the agent)
• sleep problems (insomnia or drowsiness)
• oral dehydration, moisture, migraine

At the same time, rarer but therapeutically relevant adverse reactions may encompass:

• elevations in blood pressure or cardiac rhythm (notably with SNRIs and some tricyclics)
• reduced blood sodium (particularly in older adults, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• increased liver enzymes
• Corrected QT interval lengthening (potential of irregular heartbeat, notably with one medication and certain tricyclics)
• emotional blunting or indifference

"An important point to consider regarding this matter is that there are multiple distinct categories of antidepressants, which result in the distinct negative pharmaceutical reactions," another professional commented.

"Furthermore, depression treatments can affect every individual distinctly, and adverse effects can vary depending on the particular pharmaceutical, dosage, and patient factors including body chemistry or simultaneous health issues."

Although certain adverse reactions, such as fluctuations in sleep, appetite, or energy levels, are fairly typical and frequently improve with time, others may be less frequent or continuing.

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

"A modification in antidepressant may be appropriate if the patient encounters ongoing or unacceptable unwanted effects that fail to enhance with time or management strategies," one professional said.

"Additionally, if there is an development of recently developed medical conditions that may be aggravated by the present treatment, for instance hypertension, irregular heartbeat, or considerable weight gain."

You may furthermore contemplate talking with your doctor regarding any absence of significant improvement in depression-related or anxiety-related indicators after an appropriate testing period. The sufficient trial period is generally 4–8 weeks at a effective dosage.

Patient preference is furthermore important. Some people may prefer to evade particular adverse reactions, like intimacy issues or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition