Antidepressant Medication Adverse Reactions Like Body Weight, Blood Pressure Changes Range by Drug

• An comprehensive new investigation found that the adverse reactions of antidepressants vary substantially by drug.
• Certain drugs caused reduced body weight, while other medications resulted in weight gain.
• Heart rate and BP also differed notably across medications.
• Individuals suffering from continuing, serious, or concerning side effects must discuss with a healthcare professional.

Recent research has revealed that antidepressant unwanted effects may be more extensive than earlier believed.

The large-scale research, published on October 21st, examined the effect of antidepressant medications on in excess of 58,000 subjects within the initial eight weeks of starting therapy.

These scientists examined 151 research projects of 30 pharmaceuticals typically employed to manage depression. Although not every patient experiences unwanted effects, certain of the most common noted in the investigation were variations in weight, blood pressure, and metabolic indicators.

The study revealed significant disparities across antidepressant drugs. As an illustration, an two-month treatment period of one medication was connected with an average decrease in mass of around 2.4 kilos (approximately 5.3 pounds), while maprotiline users added nearly 2 kg in the equivalent duration.

There were also, notable variations in cardiovascular activity: one antidepressant tended to decrease pulse rate, while another medication raised it, creating a gap of about 21 BPM among the two medications. BP varied as well, with an 11 mmHg difference noted among nortriptyline and another medication.

Clinical professionals commented that the research's findings aren't recent or surprising to mental health professionals.

"Clinicians have long recognized that various antidepressant medications vary in their impacts on weight, BP, and additional metabolic measures," one expert stated.

"However, what is notable about this study is the comprehensive, comparison-based measurement of these differences throughout a broad range of bodily measurements utilizing data from more than 58,000 participants," this specialist noted.

The investigation offers robust support of the magnitude of side effects, several of which are more frequent than different reactions. Typical antidepressant medication adverse reactions may encompass:

• stomach problems (nausea, loose stools, constipation)
• sexual dysfunction (reduced sex drive, inability to orgasm)
• mass variations (increase or loss, depending on the medication)
• sleep problems (inability to sleep or drowsiness)
• mouth dryness, perspiration, migraine

At the same time, less frequent but medically important unwanted effects may comprise:

• rises in arterial pressure or heart rate (notably with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and some tricyclic antidepressants)
• low sodium (particularly in older adults, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• elevated hepatic parameters
• Corrected QT interval lengthening (potential of arrhythmia, particularly with one medication and some tricyclic antidepressants)
• emotional blunting or apathy

"A key factor to remember here is that there are various distinct categories of antidepressants, which result in the different adverse medication effects," a different professional explained.

"Furthermore, depression treatments can impact each patient distinctly, and adverse side effects can vary based on the particular medication, amount, and personal factors like metabolism or co-occurring conditions."

Although some side effects, like variations in sleep, hunger, or vitality, are fairly frequent and often improve over time, others may be less typical or longer-lasting.

Antidepressant adverse reactions may range in severity, which could justify a modification in your drug.

"An modification in antidepressant medication may be warranted if the individual encounters continuing or unbearable side effects that do not improve with time or management strategies," a expert commented.

"Furthermore, if there is an appearance of recently developed medical issues that may be worsened by the existing drug, for example elevated BP, irregular heartbeat, or considerable weight gain."

Patients may additionally consider speaking with your healthcare provider regarding any lack of substantial improvement in low mood or anxiety symptoms following an adequate evaluation duration. An adequate evaluation duration is typically 4–8 weeks duration at a treatment amount.

Patient inclination is additionally crucial. Some people may prefer to prevent specific unwanted effects, including sexual dysfunction or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition