Antidepressant Medication Side Effects Like Weight, BP Fluctuations Vary Depending on Medication

• An extensive recent research determined that the adverse reactions of depression drugs differ considerably by drug.
• Some drugs resulted in weight loss, while other medications led to added mass.
• Pulse rate and blood pressure also varied notably across drugs.
• Patients suffering from ongoing, intense, or concerning adverse reactions must consult a physician.

New investigations has found that depression drug side effects may be more diverse than previously thought.

The extensive research, issued on October 21, assessed the effect of antidepressant medications on in excess of 58,000 subjects within the first eight weeks of beginning treatment.

These investigators examined 151 investigations of 30 medications typically prescribed to address major depression. While not all individuals develops adverse reactions, several of the most frequent noted in the research were changes in weight, blood pressure, and metabolic indicators.

There were significant differences across antidepressant drugs. As an illustration, an 60-day treatment period of one medication was linked to an mean reduction in body weight of approximately 2.4 kg (about 5.3 lbs), while maprotiline patients added close to 2 kg in the equivalent period.

Furthermore, significant fluctuations in cardiovascular activity: fluvoxamine tended to decrease cardiac rhythm, while another medication elevated it, producing a difference of about 21 beats per minute across the two drugs. Blood pressure differed as well, with an 11 millimeters of mercury variation seen across one drug and another medication.

Medical specialists noted that the study's results are not considered novel or unexpected to mental health professionals.

"Clinicians have long recognized that various antidepressant medications vary in their impacts on body weight, arterial pressure, and additional metabolic parameters," one expert commented.

"However, what is remarkable about this research is the rigorous, comparison-based quantification of these differences across a wide spectrum of bodily measurements employing information from over 58,000 participants," this expert noted.

This research offers comprehensive evidence of the magnitude of side effects, several of which are more frequent than different reactions. Typical antidepressant adverse reactions may comprise:

• digestive issues (queasiness, bowel issues, constipation)
• sexual problems (reduced sex drive, anorgasmia)
• weight changes (gain or loss, based on the agent)
• sleep problems (inability to sleep or drowsiness)
• mouth dryness, moisture, head pain

Additionally, less common but medically important unwanted effects may include:

• rises in arterial pressure or pulse rate (especially with SNRIs and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
• reduced blood sodium (notably in older adults, with SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• increased liver enzymes
• Corrected QT interval extension (potential of abnormal heart rhythm, particularly with one medication and some tricyclic antidepressants)
• emotional blunting or lack of interest

"One thing to note here is that there are various varying types of depression drugs, which result in the different unwanted drug reactions," another professional explained.

"Furthermore, antidepressant drugs can affect every individual distinctly, and negative reactions can vary depending on the particular pharmaceutical, dosage, and individual elements including metabolism or co-occurring conditions."

While several adverse reactions, such as changes in sleep, hunger, or stamina, are quite typical and frequently get better over time, other effects may be less typical or continuing.

Depression drug unwanted effects may range in seriousness, which could warrant a change in your medication.

"A adjustment in antidepressant may be appropriate if the patient experiences ongoing or unbearable unwanted effects that fail to enhance with time or supportive measures," a professional stated.

"Furthermore, if there is an appearance of new health problems that may be worsened by the existing medication, such as elevated BP, irregular heartbeat, or significant increased body weight."

Individuals may furthermore contemplate speaking with your physician about any lack of substantial progress in low mood or anxiety symptoms after an appropriate evaluation duration. The appropriate testing period is usually 4–8 weeks' time at a treatment dose.

Patient inclination is additionally significant. Certain people may prefer to prevent certain side effects, like sexual problems or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition