Antidepressant Unwanted Effects Such as Weight, Blood Pressure Fluctuations Range Depending on Medication

• An large new study determined that the side effects of depression drugs vary substantially by drug.
• Some medications resulted in decreased mass, whereas other medications resulted in weight gain.
• Heart rate and blood pressure also varied notably among medications.
• Individuals experiencing ongoing, severe, or worrisome side effects should speak with a physician.

Latest investigations has revealed that antidepressant medication side effects may be more varied than once assumed.

This extensive investigation, issued on October 21, examined the influence of antidepressant medications on more than 58,000 subjects within the beginning two months of starting treatment.

These scientists studied 151 research projects of 30 medications frequently prescribed to address clinical depression. Although not everyone experiences side effects, several of the most prevalent observed in the research were variations in weight, arterial pressure, and metabolic markers.

There were notable differences across antidepressant medications. As an illustration, an two-month regimen of agomelatine was associated with an typical decrease in mass of around 2.4 kilos (approximately 5.3 lbs), whereas maprotiline individuals gained close to 2 kg in the identical duration.

Furthermore, notable fluctuations in heart function: one antidepressant often would decrease heart rate, in contrast nortriptyline increased it, causing a gap of approximately 21 BPM across the two medications. BP varied too, with an 11 millimeters of mercury difference seen between nortriptyline and another medication.

Medical experts commented that the study's findings are not considered recent or unexpected to mental health professionals.

"Clinicians have long recognized that different antidepressants vary in their influences on weight, arterial pressure, and further metabolic parameters," one professional explained.

"However, what is significant about this study is the thorough, comparative assessment of these variations across a broad array of bodily measurements using findings from over 58,000 subjects," this specialist commented.

The investigation offers strong evidence of the magnitude of unwanted effects, some of which are more common than different reactions. Common antidepressant medication unwanted effects may include:

• digestive issues (nausea, bowel issues, blockage)
• sexual problems (lowered desire, orgasmic dysfunction)
• mass variations (increase or loss, according to the drug)
• rest issues (sleeplessness or sleepiness)
• oral dehydration, sweating, migraine

Additionally, less common but medically important adverse reactions may encompass:

• increases in blood pressure or cardiac rhythm (notably with SNRIs and some tricyclics)
• reduced blood sodium (especially in elderly individuals, with SSRIs and SNRIs)
• elevated hepatic parameters
• Corrected QT interval prolongation (potential of irregular heartbeat, particularly with one medication and certain tricyclics)
• emotional blunting or lack of interest

"An important point to note regarding this matter is that there are multiple distinct types of antidepressant medications, which lead to the varying adverse drug reactions," another specialist stated.

"Furthermore, antidepressant drugs can affect every individual distinctly, and negative side effects can range according to the exact drug, amount, and personal factors including metabolism or simultaneous health issues."

While several unwanted effects, such as fluctuations in sleep, appetite, or vitality, are fairly common and frequently enhance with time, other effects may be less frequent or more persistent.

Antidepressant medication adverse reactions may range in seriousness, which could justify a change in your treatment.

"A change in antidepressant medication may be warranted if the patient experiences persistent or unbearable side effects that fail to enhance with duration or supportive care," a professional said.

"Furthermore, if there is an emergence of new medical conditions that may be exacerbated by the existing drug, such as hypertension, irregular heartbeat, or considerable weight gain."

You may furthermore think about consulting with your doctor about any lack of significant progress in depression-related or anxiety symptoms subsequent to an appropriate evaluation duration. An adequate trial period is generally 4–8 weeks' time at a treatment dose.

Patient choice is additionally important. Some individuals may prefer to evade particular side effects, like intimacy issues or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition