Antidepressant Side Effects Like Body Weight, BP Variations Vary by Drug

• An large new research determined that the side effects of antidepressants differ significantly by drug.
• Some medications led to reduced body weight, while other medications caused added mass.
• Heart rate and blood pressure furthermore differed markedly across drugs.
• Those experiencing continuing, severe, or worrisome unwanted effects ought to speak with a physician.

Recent research has revealed that antidepressant medication adverse reactions may be more diverse than once assumed.

The extensive research, released on October 21, analyzed the effect of antidepressant drugs on over 58,000 participants within the initial 60 days of beginning therapy.

The researchers analyzed 151 research projects of 30 drugs typically used to treat depression. While not every patient develops adverse reactions, certain of the most prevalent noted in the investigation were fluctuations in weight, arterial pressure, and metabolic indicators.

There were notable differences across depression treatments. For example, an eight-week regimen of one medication was associated with an average weight loss of about 2.4 kilos (approximately 5.3 pounds), whereas maprotiline patients added almost 2 kg in the equivalent timeframe.

Additionally, marked variations in cardiac function: one antidepressant tended to slow pulse rate, in contrast nortriptyline increased it, producing a disparity of around 21 beats per minute across the two drugs. Blood pressure varied as well, with an 11 millimeters of mercury variation seen across nortriptyline and another medication.

Healthcare specialists commented that the research's findings aren't recent or surprising to psychiatrists.

"It has long been understood that different antidepressants differ in their impacts on weight, arterial pressure, and further metabolic measures," a professional stated.

"Nonetheless, what is notable about this study is the thorough, comparison-based quantification of these variations across a broad range of physiological parameters utilizing data from more than 58,000 participants," the specialist noted.

This investigation offers robust support of the magnitude of adverse reactions, several of which are more common than other effects. Typical antidepressant medication unwanted effects may comprise:

• digestive issues (sickness, loose stools, constipation)
• sexual problems (reduced sex drive, anorgasmia)
• mass variations (increase or loss, according to the drug)
• sleep problems (inability to sleep or sleepiness)
• oral dehydration, perspiration, migraine

At the same time, less frequent but therapeutically relevant adverse reactions may include:

• rises in BP or cardiac rhythm (particularly with SNRIs and some tricyclic antidepressants)
• reduced blood sodium (especially in older adults, with SSRIs and SNRIs)
• liver enzyme elevations
• Corrected QT interval lengthening (risk of abnormal heart rhythm, especially with citalopram and some tricyclic antidepressants)
• diminished feelings or apathy

"An important point to note in this context is that there are several different categories of antidepressant medications, which lead to the distinct adverse medication effects," another specialist stated.

"Moreover, depression treatments can affect each patient distinctly, and negative effects can vary according to the particular medication, dose, and individual considerations like metabolic rate or co-occurring conditions."

While several adverse reactions, like variations in sleep, appetite, or stamina, are quite frequent and frequently enhance over time, other effects may be less typical or more persistent.

Antidepressant adverse reactions may differ in intensity, which could justify a adjustment in your treatment.

"An change in depression drug may be warranted if the person suffers ongoing or unacceptable side effects that do not improve with duration or supportive care," one expert said.

"Additionally, if there is an emergence of recent health problems that may be worsened by the existing drug, for example hypertension, irregular heartbeat, or considerable weight gain."

Patients may also contemplate speaking with your healthcare provider about any lack of substantial improvement in depressive or anxiety indicators subsequent to an sufficient evaluation duration. An adequate trial period is usually 4–8 weeks' time at a therapeutic dose.

Individual inclination is furthermore significant. Certain individuals may choose to avoid specific adverse reactions, such as intimacy issues or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition