Depression Drug Unwanted Effects Like Body Weight, Blood Pressure Variations Range by Drug

• An extensive new investigation found that the unwanted effects of antidepressants differ substantially by drug.
• Certain drugs resulted in weight loss, while others led to weight gain.
• Cardiac rhythm and blood pressure also differed significantly between medications.
• Patients encountering ongoing, severe, or troubling adverse reactions should consult a medical provider.

Recent studies has revealed that antidepressant medication unwanted effects may be more varied than earlier believed.

This comprehensive investigation, released on the 21st of October, assessed the influence of antidepressant medications on more than 58,000 participants within the first two months of starting medication.

These researchers examined 151 investigations of 30 drugs typically employed to manage depression. While not everyone encounters side effects, some of the most prevalent observed in the research were changes in weight, BP, and metabolic markers.

Researchers observed significant differences across antidepressant drugs. As an illustration, an two-month regimen of one medication was connected with an typical reduction in body weight of approximately 2.4 kg (roughly 5.3 pounds), whereas another drug patients added almost 2 kg in the identical period.

There were also, marked fluctuations in cardiovascular activity: one antidepressant was likely to decrease heart rate, while another medication elevated it, causing a disparity of around 21 heartbeats per minute between the two drugs. Blood pressure fluctuated too, with an 11 millimeters of mercury disparity noted across nortriptyline and doxepin.

Clinical experts noted that the investigation's results aren't new or surprising to mental health professionals.

"Clinicians have long recognized that distinct antidepressants differ in their influences on body weight, arterial pressure, and other metabolic measures," one specialist commented.

"Nonetheless, what is notable about this investigation is the thorough, relative assessment of these differences throughout a broad spectrum of physiological parameters using information from more than 58,000 individuals," the specialist noted.

This study provides comprehensive support of the degree of unwanted effects, several of which are more frequent than other effects. Frequent depression drug unwanted effects may include:

• gastrointestinal symptoms (sickness, diarrhea, blockage)
• sexual problems (lowered desire, anorgasmia)
• weight changes (addition or reduction, based on the drug)
• sleep problems (sleeplessness or drowsiness)
• mouth dryness, perspiration, headache

At the same time, less frequent but clinically significant unwanted effects may comprise:

• rises in blood pressure or cardiac rhythm (particularly with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
• hyponatremia (notably in older adults, with SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• elevated hepatic parameters
• QTc lengthening (risk of abnormal heart rhythm, particularly with citalopram and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
• emotional blunting or lack of interest

"One thing to note in this context is that there are several different types of antidepressant medications, which lead to the varying adverse drug side effects," a different specialist commented.

"Furthermore, depression treatments can affect every individual variably, and negative reactions can range according to the particular drug, dosage, and patient elements like body chemistry or comorbidities."

While certain unwanted effects, such as changes in sleep, appetite, or vitality, are quite common and commonly get better over time, other effects may be less typical or more persistent.

Depression drug side effects may range in severity, which could require a modification in your medication.

"A adjustment in antidepressant medication may be necessary if the person encounters persistent or intolerable unwanted effects that fail to enhance with duration or supportive measures," a professional commented.

"Additionally, if there is an appearance of new medical conditions that may be aggravated by the current medication, for instance high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, or considerable increased body weight."

Individuals may additionally consider speaking with your healthcare provider about any lack of meaningful improvement in low mood or anxiety signs subsequent to an sufficient evaluation duration. An appropriate trial period is usually 4–8 weeks duration at a therapeutic dose.

Patient inclination is also important. Some individuals may prefer to evade specific adverse reactions, such as sexual problems or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition