Antidepressant Medication Unwanted Effects Including Body Weight, Blood Pressure Changes Range by Drug

• An extensive recent investigation found that the side effects of antidepressant medications differ substantially by drug.
• Some drugs resulted in reduced body weight, whereas different drugs caused weight gain.
• Heart rate and blood pressure additionally diverged significantly among medications.
• Individuals encountering persistent, severe, or troubling unwanted effects ought to consult a medical provider.

Recent studies has revealed that antidepressant medication side effects may be more varied than previously thought.

This comprehensive research, published on October 21st, assessed the impact of antidepressant medications on over 58,000 individuals within the beginning 60 days of commencing treatment.

The researchers analyzed 151 investigations of 30 medications typically prescribed to manage clinical depression. Although not everyone encounters side effects, certain of the most prevalent observed in the study were fluctuations in body weight, BP, and metabolic parameters.

There were striking variations among depression treatments. For instance, an eight-week treatment period of agomelatine was associated with an typical weight loss of approximately 2.4 kilos (approximately 5.3 lbs), while maprotiline patients added almost 2 kg in the identical timeframe.

Furthermore, notable changes in cardiovascular activity: one antidepressant tended to reduce cardiac rhythm, while nortriptyline increased it, causing a disparity of about 21 BPM across the two drugs. Blood pressure fluctuated as well, with an 11 millimeters of mercury variation seen across one drug and another medication.

Clinical professionals observed that the investigation's findings are not considered new or surprising to psychiatrists.

"It has long been understood that various antidepressant medications vary in their impacts on body weight, blood pressure, and additional metabolic measures," one professional explained.

"Nonetheless, what is significant about this investigation is the rigorous, comparison-based quantification of these differences across a wide array of bodily measurements employing information from more than 58,000 individuals," this professional added.

The investigation provides robust proof of the magnitude of side effects, some of which are more frequent than different reactions. Frequent antidepressant side effects may include:

• gastrointestinal symptoms (sickness, loose stools, constipation)
• sexual dysfunction (lowered desire, orgasmic dysfunction)
• weight changes (addition or decrease, depending on the drug)
• sleep problems (inability to sleep or sedation)
• dry mouth, perspiration, head pain

Additionally, rarer but clinically significant side effects may include:

• rises in blood pressure or cardiac rhythm (notably with SNRIs and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
• reduced blood sodium (notably in elderly individuals, with SSRIs and SNRIs)
• liver enzyme elevations
• Corrected QT interval prolongation (chance of arrhythmia, notably with citalopram and some tricyclic antidepressants)
• diminished feelings or lack of interest

"An important point to note in this context is that there are several distinct classes of antidepressant medications, which contribute to the different unwanted medication effects," a different professional commented.

"Moreover, antidepressant medications can influence every individual variably, and negative reactions can range according to the specific drug, amount, and personal considerations such as metabolism or comorbidities."

While some side effects, including variations in rest, appetite, or energy levels, are quite typical and often get better with time, other effects may be less common or longer-lasting.

Depression drug side effects may vary in seriousness, which could justify a change in your medication.

"A modification in antidepressant may be necessary if the patient experiences persistent or intolerable unwanted effects that fail to enhance with passing days or supportive measures," one expert said.

"Moreover, if there is an development of recent medical conditions that may be worsened by the existing treatment, for example high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythm, or considerable weight gain."

You may additionally think about talking with your doctor regarding any deficiency of meaningful improvement in low mood or anxiety-related indicators after an sufficient evaluation duration. The adequate evaluation duration is typically 4–8 weeks duration at a treatment dose.

Patient choice is additionally crucial. Certain people may prefer to evade specific adverse reactions, such as intimacy issues or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition