Antidepressant Unwanted Effects Such as Weight, Blood Pressure Fluctuations Range by Drug

• A large recent investigation found that the side effects of antidepressant medications vary considerably by drug.
• Some pharmaceuticals resulted in weight loss, whereas different drugs resulted in increased body weight.
• Cardiac rhythm and BP additionally varied significantly across treatments.
• Those suffering from persistent, serious, or troubling side effects should discuss with a healthcare professional.

New research has revealed that antidepressant medication side effects may be more extensive than earlier believed.

This comprehensive study, issued on October 21st, examined the impact of depression treatments on more than 58,000 participants within the first 60 days of starting medication.

These investigators studied 151 studies of 30 medications typically prescribed to manage depression. While not all individuals encounters unwanted effects, some of the most frequent recorded in the investigation were variations in weight, BP, and metabolic indicators.

The study revealed notable differences across depression treatments. For example, an two-month course of agomelatine was connected with an mean reduction in body weight of about 2.4 kilos (approximately 5.3 pounds), whereas maprotiline users increased nearly 2 kg in the identical timeframe.

Additionally, significant changes in heart function: one antidepressant was likely to decrease pulse rate, whereas nortriptyline increased it, creating a gap of around 21 beats per minute between the two drugs. BP differed as well, with an 11 millimeters of mercury variation seen among nortriptyline and doxepin.

Healthcare experts observed that the research's results are not novel or startling to psychiatrists.

"It has long been understood that various antidepressant medications differ in their impacts on weight, arterial pressure, and other metabolic indicators," one professional commented.

"Nevertheless, what is notable about this investigation is the comprehensive, comparative assessment of these disparities throughout a wide array of physical indicators using data from more than 58,000 participants," this specialist noted.

This study offers robust support of the degree of side effects, some of which are more common than other effects. Common antidepressant adverse reactions may comprise:

• gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, bowel issues, constipation)
• intimacy issues (lowered desire, anorgasmia)
• weight changes (increase or decrease, according to the agent)
• sleep disturbances (sleeplessness or drowsiness)
• dry mouth, perspiration, headache

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

• elevations in BP or cardiac rhythm (notably with SNRIs and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
• hyponatremia (particularly in senior patients, with SSRIs and SNRIs)
• liver enzyme elevations
• QTc extension (chance of arrhythmia, notably with citalopram and some tricyclic antidepressants)
• emotional blunting or indifference

"An important point to consider in this context is that there are various distinct categories of depression drugs, which result in the distinct negative drug side effects," another professional stated.

"Furthermore, antidepressant drugs can impact each patient differently, and negative side effects can differ depending on the specific drug, dosage, and individual elements like metabolic rate or comorbidities."

While some adverse reactions, including changes in sleep, hunger, or vitality, are quite frequent and frequently enhance with time, others may be less typical or continuing.

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

"A adjustment in antidepressant medication may be warranted if the patient encounters ongoing or unbearable side effects that do not improve with duration or management strategies," one expert commented.

"Additionally, if there is an appearance of new health problems that may be aggravated by the current medication, such as hypertension, abnormal heart rhythm, or significant mass addition."

Individuals may also think about speaking with your physician regarding any absence of meaningful improvement in depression-related or anxiety signs after an appropriate testing period. The appropriate testing period is usually 4–8 weeks at a effective amount.

Personal inclination is additionally important. Certain people may prefer to prevent particular unwanted effects, like sexual problems or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition