Antidepressant Side Effects Including Weight, Blood Pressure Variations Vary Depending on Medication

• A comprehensive new research discovered that the side effects of depression drugs vary considerably by drug.
• Certain medications caused weight loss, while different drugs caused weight gain.
• Heart rate and BP additionally differed significantly among medications.
• Patients encountering ongoing, serious, or troubling adverse reactions should discuss with a physician.

Recent studies has revealed that depression drug unwanted effects may be more diverse than earlier believed.

The comprehensive investigation, released on October 21st, examined the influence of antidepressant medications on over 58,000 individuals within the initial 60 days of commencing medication.

The investigators examined 151 studies of 30 pharmaceuticals frequently used to manage depression. Although not every patient develops adverse reactions, certain of the most common noted in the research were variations in body weight, blood pressure, and metabolic parameters.

Researchers observed significant differences among antidepressant medications. As an illustration, an eight-week regimen of one medication was connected with an mean decrease in mass of about 2.4 kilograms (about 5.3 lbs), while another drug patients added nearly 2 kg in the same duration.

Additionally, marked changes in cardiac function: one antidepressant tended to decrease pulse rate, in contrast nortriptyline raised it, producing a disparity of approximately 21 heartbeats per minute between the two drugs. Blood pressure varied too, with an 11 mmHg difference noted across nortriptyline and another medication.

Medical professionals commented that the study's results are not recent or unexpected to mental health professionals.

"It has long been understood that various depression drugs differ in their effects on weight, blood pressure, and further metabolic indicators," one specialist stated.

"Nevertheless, what is remarkable about this study is the thorough, relative measurement of these disparities across a broad range of bodily measurements using findings from over 58,000 subjects," this professional noted.

The research offers robust evidence of the magnitude of unwanted effects, several of which are more frequent than other effects. Common depression drug adverse reactions may comprise:

• stomach problems (nausea, loose stools, irregularity)
• sexual dysfunction (decreased libido, anorgasmia)
• mass variations (gain or reduction, depending on the agent)
• rest issues (sleeplessness or sleepiness)
• oral dehydration, moisture, head pain

Additionally, less frequent but therapeutically relevant side effects may comprise:

• rises in arterial pressure or heart rate (particularly with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
• reduced blood sodium (especially in elderly individuals, with SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• increased liver enzymes
• Corrected QT interval lengthening (chance of abnormal heart rhythm, notably with one medication and some tricyclics)
• reduced emotions or indifference

"A key factor to remember in this context is that there are several varying classes of antidepressant medications, which result in the different adverse medication reactions," another expert stated.

"Moreover, antidepressant medications can affect every individual distinctly, and unwanted reactions can range according to the specific pharmaceutical, dose, and patient considerations such as metabolism or co-occurring conditions."

Although certain side effects, like variations in rest, appetite, or stamina, are reasonably typical and often enhance as time passes, others may be less common or more persistent.

Depression drug adverse reactions may range in severity, which could justify a adjustment in your treatment.

"A modification in antidepressant medication may be necessary if the person experiences persistent or unbearable adverse reactions that fail to enhance with time or management strategies," one specialist said.

"Additionally, if there is an emergence of recently developed medical conditions that may be aggravated by the current drug, for example elevated BP, abnormal heart rhythm, or substantial weight gain."

You may furthermore consider consulting with your doctor regarding any deficiency of substantial progress in depression-related or worry signs subsequent to an appropriate trial period. The adequate evaluation duration is generally 4–8 weeks' time at a effective dosage.

Patient inclination is additionally significant. Certain patients may choose to evade specific side effects, including sexual dysfunction or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition