Depression Drug Side Effects Such as Weight, Blood Pressure Changes Range Depending on Medication

• A extensive recent investigation found that the adverse reactions of depression drugs range considerably by drug.
• Certain medications resulted in reduced body weight, whereas others caused weight gain.
• Cardiac rhythm and blood pressure also differed notably among drugs.
• Patients experiencing persistent, severe, or worrisome adverse reactions must discuss with a medical provider.

Recent studies has discovered that antidepressant side effects may be more extensive than previously thought.

This extensive research, published on October 21, assessed the effect of antidepressant drugs on more than 58,000 subjects within the initial 60 days of commencing therapy.

The investigators analyzed 151 research projects of 30 pharmaceuticals typically used to manage clinical depression. While not every patient experiences adverse reactions, certain of the most frequent recorded in the study were variations in body weight, BP, and metabolic markers.

The study revealed striking variations between depression treatments. For instance, an two-month treatment period of one medication was linked to an average weight loss of approximately 2.4 kg (roughly 5.3 pounds), while another drug individuals gained close to 2 kg in the equivalent timeframe.

Furthermore, marked fluctuations in cardiovascular activity: fluvoxamine often would decrease heart rate, whereas nortriptyline elevated it, creating a disparity of around 21 beats per minute between the two drugs. BP differed also, with an 11 mmHg difference noted across one drug and another medication.

Clinical professionals commented that the investigation's findings are not considered recent or startling to psychiatrists.

"Clinicians have long recognized that distinct depression drugs range in their impacts on weight, blood pressure, and additional metabolic indicators," a specialist stated.

"Nonetheless, what is notable about this research is the rigorous, comparative measurement of these variations throughout a broad array of bodily measurements utilizing information from in excess of 58,000 individuals," the professional added.

This investigation delivers comprehensive proof of the degree of adverse reactions, some of which are more common than others. Common antidepressant adverse reactions may encompass:

• gastrointestinal symptoms (queasiness, loose stools, irregularity)
• intimacy issues (decreased libido, orgasmic dysfunction)
• body weight fluctuations (addition or loss, according to the medication)
• sleep problems (sleeplessness or sleepiness)
• oral dehydration, sweating, headache

Additionally, less common but medically important side effects may comprise:

• elevations in arterial pressure or cardiac rhythm (particularly with SNRIs and certain tricyclics)
• hyponatremia (notably in senior patients, with SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• elevated hepatic parameters
• Corrected QT interval extension (potential of abnormal heart rhythm, particularly with one medication and certain tricyclics)
• emotional blunting or apathy

"One thing to remember regarding this matter is that there are several different categories of antidepressants, which result in the distinct negative pharmaceutical reactions," another expert stated.

"Furthermore, depression treatments can influence every individual variably, and unwanted side effects can vary depending on the particular drug, dosage, and personal factors such as body chemistry or co-occurring conditions."

While some unwanted effects, like changes in rest, hunger, or stamina, are fairly common and frequently enhance with time, different reactions may be less common or continuing.

Antidepressant unwanted effects may range in intensity, which could warrant a adjustment in your medication.

"A change in antidepressant medication may be appropriate if the patient suffers persistent or unbearable side effects that do not improve with duration or supportive care," a expert commented.

"Moreover, if there is an emergence of new health problems that may be worsened by the current drug, for instance high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, or substantial increased body weight."

Individuals may furthermore think about speaking with your healthcare provider about any deficiency of substantial enhancement in depressive or anxiety-related indicators after an sufficient testing period. The sufficient testing period is generally 4–8 weeks duration at a therapeutic dose.

Individual inclination is furthermore crucial. Certain people may want to avoid certain adverse reactions, including sexual problems or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition