Antidepressant Adverse Reactions Such as Weight, BP Variations Differ Depending on Medication

• An large new study found that the adverse reactions of antidepressant medications differ significantly by drug.
• Some medications resulted in decreased mass, whereas other medications resulted in increased body weight.
• Pulse rate and arterial pressure also differed notably between treatments.
• Those suffering from ongoing, intense, or troubling adverse reactions must speak with a physician.

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

This extensive investigation, issued on October 21, analyzed the impact of depression treatments on more than 58,000 individuals within the first eight weeks of commencing treatment.

These researchers studied 151 research projects of 30 pharmaceuticals typically prescribed to address depression. Although not everyone encounters side effects, some of the most frequent observed in the investigation were fluctuations in weight, BP, and metabolic parameters.

Researchers observed notable differences between antidepressant drugs. For instance, an eight-week course of one medication was linked to an typical weight loss of approximately 2.4 kilograms (roughly 5.3 lbs), while another drug individuals gained almost 2 kg in the identical duration.

Additionally, marked changes in heart function: fluvoxamine often would reduce pulse rate, while nortriptyline elevated it, producing a difference of approximately 21 BPM across the two drugs. Arterial pressure differed as well, with an 11 mmHg difference noted among one drug and doxepin.

Healthcare specialists observed that the investigation's findings are not considered new or startling to mental health professionals.

"It has long been understood that distinct antidepressant medications differ in their impacts on weight, arterial pressure, and other metabolic parameters," a specialist stated.

"Nonetheless, what is notable about this investigation is the thorough, comparative assessment of these disparities among a wide range of bodily measurements using information from over 58,000 participants," this professional added.

The research delivers comprehensive evidence of the degree of unwanted effects, some of which are more frequent than different reactions. Frequent depression drug adverse reactions may include:

• gastrointestinal symptoms (sickness, loose stools, irregularity)
• intimacy issues (lowered desire, inability to orgasm)
• body weight fluctuations (addition or reduction, based on the agent)
• sleep disturbances (insomnia or drowsiness)
• oral dehydration, moisture, head pain

Additionally, less frequent but therapeutically relevant side effects may include:

• elevations in blood pressure or pulse rate (particularly with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and some tricyclic antidepressants)
• low sodium (particularly in elderly individuals, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and SNRIs)
• liver enzyme elevations
• Corrected QT interval lengthening (chance of abnormal heart rhythm, particularly with citalopram and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
• emotional blunting or apathy

"One thing to note in this context is that there are several varying categories of antidepressant medications, which lead to the varying unwanted medication reactions," a different expert stated.

"Additionally, depression treatments can impact each person differently, and unwanted side effects can vary based on the specific pharmaceutical, dose, and individual elements like body chemistry or comorbidities."

Although certain unwanted effects, like variations in sleep, appetite, or vitality, are reasonably common and commonly enhance over time, others may be less typical or longer-lasting.

Antidepressant medication unwanted effects may range in intensity, which could justify a change in your treatment.

"An adjustment in antidepressant medication may be appropriate if the individual encounters persistent or intolerable side effects that do not improve with duration or management strategies," one professional said.

"Moreover, if there is an development of new medical issues that may be exacerbated by the existing treatment, such as hypertension, arrhythmia, or significant mass addition."

Individuals may also contemplate talking with your healthcare provider concerning any deficiency of significant improvement in depression-related or worry indicators following an sufficient testing period. An adequate trial period is usually 4–8 weeks duration at a therapeutic dosage.

Personal preference is additionally crucial. Some individuals may prefer to prevent specific adverse reactions, including intimacy issues or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition