Antidepressant Unwanted Effects Like Weight, BP Fluctuations Vary by Drug

• A large new investigation determined that the unwanted effects of antidepressants differ significantly by drug.
• Some medications resulted in decreased mass, while other medications caused increased body weight.
• Heart rate and BP furthermore diverged notably between drugs.
• Patients experiencing ongoing, intense, or troubling side effects should speak with a physician.

New investigations has revealed that antidepressant adverse reactions may be more diverse than previously thought.

The large-scale study, published on October 21, assessed the impact of antidepressant drugs on in excess of 58,000 individuals within the beginning 60 days of commencing treatment.

The researchers analyzed 151 investigations of 30 pharmaceuticals frequently prescribed to address major depression. While not all individuals experiences adverse reactions, some of the most common noted in the study were changes in body weight, blood pressure, and metabolic indicators.

The study revealed notable disparities between antidepressant medications. For instance, an 60-day treatment period of one medication was associated with an average decrease in mass of approximately 2.4 kilograms (about 5.3 lbs), whereas maprotiline users increased almost 2 kg in the identical duration.

Additionally, notable changes in cardiovascular activity: one antidepressant tended to decrease pulse rate, in contrast another medication raised it, causing a disparity of about 21 beats per minute between the both treatments. BP fluctuated also, with an 11 millimeters of mercury disparity observed across nortriptyline and doxepin.

Medical experts observed that the investigation's conclusions are not new or unexpected to mental health professionals.

"Clinicians have long recognized that various antidepressants range in their impacts on weight, arterial pressure, and further metabolic parameters," one specialist stated.

"Nevertheless, what is notable about this investigation is the rigorous, relative measurement of these disparities throughout a broad range of bodily measurements using findings from more than 58,000 individuals," the professional commented.

This study delivers comprehensive proof of the extent of adverse reactions, some of which are more prevalent than different reactions. Frequent depression drug adverse reactions may include:

• stomach problems (sickness, bowel issues, blockage)
• sexual problems (reduced sex drive, anorgasmia)
• weight changes (gain or loss, based on the drug)
• sleep disturbances (inability to sleep or drowsiness)
• oral dehydration, sweating, head pain

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

• elevations in blood pressure or pulse rate (notably with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and certain tricyclics)
• hyponatremia (notably in elderly individuals, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• increased liver enzymes
• Corrected QT interval lengthening (potential of arrhythmia, particularly with one medication and certain tricyclics)
• reduced emotions or lack of interest

"An important point to note here is that there are multiple distinct types of antidepressants, which lead to the different unwanted drug effects," a different professional commented.

"Moreover, antidepressant medications can impact every individual distinctly, and unwanted side effects can vary depending on the particular pharmaceutical, amount, and personal considerations such as metabolic rate or co-occurring conditions."

Although some unwanted effects, including variations in rest, appetite, or stamina, are quite common and often get better with time, other effects may be less frequent or longer-lasting.

Antidepressant side effects may vary in intensity, which could require a adjustment in your medication.

"A adjustment in depression drug may be appropriate if the individual encounters continuing or unbearable adverse reactions that do not improve with duration or supportive measures," one specialist commented.

"Additionally, if there is an emergence of new medical issues that may be exacerbated by the current medication, such as elevated BP, abnormal heart rhythm, or significant increased body weight."

Patients may furthermore contemplate talking with your physician regarding any lack of meaningful improvement in depression-related or anxiety indicators following an adequate evaluation duration. An adequate evaluation duration is usually 4–8 weeks duration at a therapeutic amount.

Personal choice is furthermore significant. Some patients may prefer to evade specific adverse reactions, including sexual problems or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition