Antidepressant Medication Unwanted Effects Like Weight, BP Changes Vary Depending on Medication

• A extensive recent investigation determined that the unwanted effects of antidepressant medications vary substantially by drug.
• Some drugs caused weight loss, whereas others resulted in weight gain.
• Pulse rate and arterial pressure additionally varied markedly across treatments.
• Individuals experiencing persistent, intense, or troubling adverse reactions should consult a healthcare professional.

Recent studies has found that depression drug unwanted effects may be more diverse than previously thought.

This large-scale research, issued on October 21st, assessed the effect of antidepressant medications on more than 58,000 subjects within the beginning two months of starting medication.

The researchers examined 151 research projects of 30 drugs frequently used to address depression. Although not everyone encounters unwanted effects, some of the most common recorded in the investigation were variations in weight, blood pressure, and metabolic markers.

There were striking disparities between depression treatments. For instance, an 60-day course of one medication was connected with an typical decrease in mass of about 2.4 kg (roughly 5.3 pounds), while another drug individuals added nearly 2 kg in the identical timeframe.

There were also, marked changes in heart function: one antidepressant often would reduce pulse rate, while another medication elevated it, producing a disparity of around 21 beats per minute between the two drugs. BP varied as well, with an 11 millimeters of mercury difference noted across nortriptyline and another medication.

Healthcare specialists noted that the research's conclusions are not considered novel or startling to psychiatrists.

"Clinicians have long recognized that distinct antidepressants range in their influences on body weight, BP, and additional metabolic measures," a professional commented.

"Nonetheless, what is significant about this research is the comprehensive, comparison-based measurement of these variations across a wide array of bodily measurements using data from more than 58,000 subjects," this professional noted.

This study offers comprehensive evidence of the degree of unwanted effects, several of which are more common than different reactions. Typical antidepressant unwanted effects may include:

• gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, diarrhea, blockage)
• sexual problems (lowered desire, inability to orgasm)
• weight changes (addition or decrease, according to the agent)
• sleep disturbances (sleeplessness or sedation)
• dry mouth, sweating, head pain

Meanwhile, rarer but medically important side effects may include:

• increases in BP or pulse rate (especially with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and certain tricyclics)
• low sodium (notably in senior patients, with SSRIs and SNRIs)
• liver enzyme elevations
• Corrected QT interval prolongation (risk of irregular heartbeat, notably with citalopram and certain tricyclics)
• reduced emotions or indifference

"An important point to remember in this context is that there are multiple distinct types of antidepressants, which lead to the varying adverse medication side effects," another professional explained.

"Moreover, depression treatments can affect every individual variably, and negative reactions can range depending on the particular pharmaceutical, dose, and personal factors like body chemistry or comorbidities."

While certain side effects, such as changes in sleep, hunger, or stamina, are fairly common and commonly enhance as time passes, others may be less frequent or continuing.

Antidepressant unwanted effects may differ in intensity, which could require a modification in your treatment.

"An change in antidepressant medication may be appropriate if the individual encounters persistent or unbearable unwanted effects that fail to enhance with duration or supportive measures," a expert said.

"Additionally, if there is an appearance of new medical conditions that may be aggravated by the existing medication, for instance hypertension, arrhythmia, or significant mass addition."

You may additionally contemplate consulting with your physician concerning any absence of meaningful progress in depressive or anxiety-related signs after an appropriate evaluation duration. An adequate trial period is usually 4–8 weeks duration at a effective amount.

Personal choice is also crucial. Certain people may want to evade certain unwanted effects, including sexual dysfunction or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition