Antidepressant Medication Unwanted Effects Like Body Weight, BP Variations Vary by Drug

• A extensive latest investigation determined that the adverse reactions of antidepressant medications vary substantially by drug.
• Certain drugs resulted in reduced body weight, whereas other medications led to added mass.
• Pulse rate and blood pressure additionally varied significantly across medications.
• Those experiencing continuing, intense, or worrisome side effects must speak with a physician.

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

This extensive study, issued on the 21st of October, analyzed the effect of depression treatments on over 58,000 participants within the beginning eight weeks of beginning medication.

These investigators examined 151 investigations of 30 pharmaceuticals commonly prescribed to address depression. While not all individuals develops side effects, certain of the most frequent observed in the research were changes in body weight, arterial pressure, and metabolic indicators.

The study revealed notable disparities between antidepressant medications. For example, an 60-day regimen of one medication was linked to an mean weight loss of around 2.4 kg (roughly 5.3 lbs), whereas another drug users increased nearly 2 kg in the identical timeframe.

Additionally, notable variations in cardiac function: fluvoxamine often would slow cardiac rhythm, while nortriptyline increased it, causing a gap of approximately 21 beats per minute across the two medications. Blood pressure differed also, with an 11 millimeters of mercury difference seen among nortriptyline and another medication.

Healthcare professionals commented that the research's findings are not new or unexpected to mental health professionals.

"Clinicians have long recognized that various antidepressants differ in their impacts on body weight, BP, and other metabolic measures," one specialist commented.

"Nonetheless, what is notable about this study is the thorough, comparative measurement of these differences throughout a broad range of physical indicators using information from over 58,000 individuals," the specialist noted.

The research offers robust proof of the extent of adverse reactions, some of which are more common than others. Frequent antidepressant medication adverse reactions may encompass:

• stomach problems (nausea, bowel issues, constipation)
• intimacy issues (reduced sex drive, orgasmic dysfunction)
• mass variations (gain or reduction, based on the agent)
• sleep problems (sleeplessness or drowsiness)
• oral dehydration, sweating, head pain

Meanwhile, rarer but therapeutically relevant unwanted effects may include:

• elevations in arterial pressure or heart rate (especially with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and some tricyclics)
• hyponatremia (particularly in elderly individuals, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and SNRIs)
• elevated hepatic parameters
• Corrected QT interval extension (risk of arrhythmia, particularly with citalopram and some tricyclics)
• reduced emotions or indifference

"A key factor to remember regarding this matter is that there are various different categories of antidepressant medications, which contribute to the distinct unwanted pharmaceutical effects," a different specialist explained.

"Furthermore, antidepressant medications can impact every individual differently, and adverse side effects can vary depending on the particular medication, dose, and individual factors including body chemistry or co-occurring conditions."

While several unwanted effects, like variations in sleep, hunger, or vitality, are quite frequent and commonly get better with time, other effects may be less frequent or continuing.

Antidepressant medication adverse reactions may vary in seriousness, which could require a change in your drug.

"An adjustment in depression drug may be appropriate if the patient experiences ongoing or unacceptable unwanted effects that fail to enhance with passing days or supportive measures," a specialist said.

"Furthermore, if there is an emergence of recent medical conditions that may be aggravated by the current treatment, such as elevated BP, abnormal heart rhythm, or considerable mass addition."

Individuals may furthermore think about consulting with your physician concerning any absence of substantial progress in low mood or anxiety indicators after an appropriate testing period. The appropriate evaluation duration is typically 4–8 weeks' time at a therapeutic amount.

Individual choice is furthermore important. Certain people may want to avoid specific adverse reactions, including sexual dysfunction or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition