Antidepressant Medication Side Effects Including Body Weight, BP Fluctuations Range by Drug

• A extensive recent investigation found that the unwanted effects of antidepressant medications range substantially by drug.
• Certain pharmaceuticals resulted in reduced body weight, whereas other medications resulted in added mass.
• Cardiac rhythm and arterial pressure additionally diverged markedly among medications.
• Those experiencing ongoing, intense, or concerning adverse reactions should consult a healthcare professional.

New investigations has revealed that antidepressant side effects may be more varied than previously thought.

This extensive study, published on October 21, analyzed the influence of antidepressant drugs on over 58,000 individuals within the beginning eight weeks of beginning treatment.

The researchers studied 151 investigations of 30 pharmaceuticals frequently employed to manage clinical depression. While not every patient encounters unwanted effects, some of the most prevalent observed in the research were changes in weight, blood pressure, and metabolic indicators.

The study revealed striking variations between depression treatments. As an illustration, an eight-week treatment period of one medication was connected with an mean reduction in body weight of around 2.4 kilos (roughly 5.3 lbs), whereas maprotiline patients increased close to 2 kg in the identical duration.

Additionally, notable fluctuations in cardiovascular activity: one antidepressant was likely to decrease pulse rate, while nortriptyline elevated it, creating a difference of approximately 21 BPM between the both treatments. Arterial pressure differed as well, with an 11 millimeters of mercury variation noted among one drug and doxepin.

Healthcare experts noted that the study's conclusions are not novel or surprising to psychiatrists.

"We've long known that different antidepressants range in their impacts on body weight, BP, and additional metabolic parameters," one specialist explained.

"Nevertheless, what is notable about this study is the rigorous, relative quantification of these disparities among a broad range of bodily measurements utilizing findings from in excess of 58,000 subjects," this expert noted.

This study provides comprehensive evidence of the degree of adverse reactions, some of which are more common than different reactions. Typical depression drug adverse reactions may include:

• digestive issues (queasiness, bowel issues, irregularity)
• intimacy issues (decreased libido, anorgasmia)
• mass variations (addition or loss, based on the agent)
• sleep disturbances (inability to sleep or sleepiness)
• oral dehydration, sweating, head pain

Meanwhile, less common but clinically significant unwanted effects may include:

• increases in BP or cardiac rhythm (especially with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and certain tricyclics)
• low sodium (especially in elderly individuals, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and SNRIs)
• increased liver enzymes
• Corrected QT interval prolongation (chance of irregular heartbeat, especially with citalopram and some tricyclic antidepressants)
• emotional blunting or apathy

"An important point to remember here is that there are multiple varying types of depression drugs, which contribute to the different negative pharmaceutical effects," a different professional commented.

"Furthermore, depression treatments can influence every individual variably, and adverse side effects can vary based on the specific medication, dosage, and individual considerations including metabolism or comorbidities."

Although several side effects, including changes in sleep, hunger, or vitality, are quite typical and commonly improve over time, other effects may be less frequent or continuing.

Antidepressant adverse reactions may vary in intensity, which could require a change in your treatment.

"A change in antidepressant may be appropriate if the person encounters persistent or unbearable side effects that don't get better with passing days or supportive measures," a professional stated.

"Moreover, if there is an development of recent medical conditions that may be worsened by the existing treatment, for example elevated BP, irregular heartbeat, or considerable increased body weight."

You may also think about consulting with your physician about any absence of substantial progress in low mood or anxiety indicators following an appropriate testing period. An appropriate trial period is usually 4–8 weeks at a treatment dosage.

Individual inclination is additionally crucial. Some individuals may prefer to avoid certain side effects, like sexual problems or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition