Antidepressant Medication Side Effects Like Weight, Blood Pressure Changes Range Depending on Medication

• A large latest investigation discovered that the unwanted effects of antidepressants range considerably by drug.
• Some drugs led to weight loss, whereas other medications resulted in added mass.
• Cardiac rhythm and blood pressure additionally varied notably across treatments.
• Individuals encountering continuing, intense, or worrisome side effects must consult a medical provider.

New investigations has discovered that antidepressant unwanted effects may be more varied than earlier believed.

The extensive study, released on the 21st of October, assessed the influence of depression treatments on in excess of 58,000 individuals within the beginning two months of commencing medication.

These scientists analyzed 151 investigations of 30 drugs commonly prescribed to treat major depression. While not all individuals develops side effects, some of the most common recorded in the study were variations in weight, BP, and metabolic parameters.

There were notable variations among antidepressant medications. For example, an eight-week regimen of one medication was associated with an mean weight loss of about 2.4 kg (roughly 5.3 pounds), while maprotiline patients gained almost 2 kg in the same duration.

Additionally, marked changes in cardiovascular activity: one antidepressant tended to slow heart rate, while nortriptyline raised it, producing a gap of approximately 21 heartbeats per minute among the two drugs. Blood pressure differed as well, with an 11 millimeters of mercury variation seen across one drug and doxepin.

Clinical professionals observed that the investigation's conclusions aren't recent or startling to psychiatrists.

"Clinicians have long recognized that distinct antidepressants differ in their influences on body weight, arterial pressure, and additional metabolic indicators," one specialist stated.

"Nevertheless, what is significant about this research is the comprehensive, comparative quantification of these disparities across a wide array of bodily measurements using information from more than 58,000 participants," this specialist added.

This research provides strong support of the degree of side effects, some of which are more common than others. Common antidepressant side effects may comprise:

• digestive issues (queasiness, bowel issues, constipation)
• sexual dysfunction (reduced sex drive, inability to orgasm)
• weight changes (gain or loss, according to the medication)
• rest issues (inability to sleep or sedation)
• dry mouth, perspiration, head pain

Meanwhile, less frequent but clinically significant adverse reactions may comprise:

• rises in BP or heart rate (particularly with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and some tricyclics)
• low sodium (particularly in older adults, with SSRIs and SNRIs)
• increased liver enzymes
• QTc lengthening (risk of abnormal heart rhythm, particularly with citalopram and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
• emotional blunting or indifference

"A key factor to consider here is that there are several distinct categories of antidepressants, which lead to the distinct adverse medication effects," a different expert commented.

"Furthermore, antidepressant medications can affect each patient differently, and unwanted effects can range according to the specific pharmaceutical, dose, and individual elements like body chemistry or co-occurring conditions."

Although some unwanted effects, including changes in rest, hunger, or stamina, are quite frequent and commonly enhance with time, others may be less common or continuing.

Antidepressant medication unwanted effects may differ in seriousness, which could require a adjustment in your drug.

"An change in antidepressant medication may be warranted if the individual experiences persistent or intolerable adverse reactions that don't get better with time or management strategies," one professional said.

"Furthermore, if there is an emergence of new medical issues that may be aggravated by the current treatment, for instance hypertension, abnormal heart rhythm, or considerable weight gain."

You may furthermore think about consulting with your physician concerning any lack of substantial improvement in depressive or worry signs following an adequate evaluation duration. The appropriate trial period is typically 4–8 weeks' time at a therapeutic dose.

Individual choice is furthermore important. Some people may prefer to avoid certain adverse reactions, including intimacy issues or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition