Antidepressant Medication Side Effects Like Body Weight, Blood Pressure Fluctuations Vary Depending on Medication

• A comprehensive new investigation determined that the adverse reactions of antidepressants range considerably by drug.
• Some medications led to reduced body weight, whereas different drugs resulted in increased body weight.
• Heart rate and BP additionally varied significantly between medications.
• Patients suffering from persistent, severe, or troubling side effects should speak with a physician.

New investigations has found that antidepressant side effects may be more extensive than once assumed.

This comprehensive research, issued on October 21st, examined the impact of antidepressant drugs on more than 58,000 individuals within the first eight weeks of starting treatment.

These scientists analyzed 151 investigations of 30 medications commonly used to treat clinical depression. Although not everyone develops side effects, certain of the most common observed in the study were variations in body weight, blood pressure, and metabolic parameters.

Researchers observed significant variations across depression treatments. For instance, an eight-week course of agomelatine was associated with an average decrease in mass of around 2.4 kilograms (roughly 5.3 pounds), whereas maprotiline patients gained nearly 2 kg in the identical duration.

Furthermore, significant changes in heart function: one antidepressant often would decrease heart rate, while another medication elevated it, producing a difference of around 21 heartbeats per minute between the both treatments. Blood pressure fluctuated also, with an 11 millimeters of mercury disparity noted across nortriptyline and doxepin.

Clinical professionals commented that the study's results are not considered novel or surprising to psychiatrists.

"It has long been understood that different depression drugs vary in their effects on weight, BP, and further metabolic parameters," one specialist commented.

"Nevertheless, what is notable about this research is the rigorous, relative quantification of these disparities among a extensive array of physical indicators utilizing data from over 58,000 participants," the expert noted.

The investigation provides strong proof of the degree of unwanted effects, certain of which are more common than other effects. Common antidepressant medication adverse reactions may include:

• gastrointestinal symptoms (queasiness, bowel issues, irregularity)
• intimacy issues (decreased libido, inability to orgasm)
• mass variations (gain or loss, based on the medication)
• sleep disturbances (sleeplessness or sedation)
• dry mouth, moisture, migraine

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

• increases in arterial pressure or heart rate (notably with SNRIs and certain tricyclics)
• reduced blood sodium (notably in older adults, with SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• increased liver enzymes
• QTc prolongation (potential of abnormal heart rhythm, particularly with one medication and some tricyclics)
• reduced emotions or apathy

"An important point to consider regarding this matter is that there are several different types of antidepressants, which result in the different negative medication effects," another specialist commented.

"Moreover, antidepressant drugs can affect each person differently, and negative side effects can range based on the specific drug, dosage, and individual factors such as body chemistry or co-occurring conditions."

Although certain side effects, like changes in rest, hunger, or stamina, are quite frequent and commonly improve as time passes, different reactions may be less frequent or longer-lasting.

Antidepressant unwanted effects may differ in severity, which could warrant a modification in your treatment.

"A change in antidepressant may be necessary if the patient encounters continuing or unacceptable adverse reactions that do not improve with passing days or supportive care," one professional stated.

"Moreover, if there is an emergence of recent medical conditions that may be exacerbated by the current medication, such as elevated BP, abnormal heart rhythm, or significant weight gain."

You may furthermore think about speaking with your physician about any lack of meaningful enhancement in depressive or anxiety indicators following an appropriate evaluation duration. An appropriate testing period is typically 4–8 weeks duration at a therapeutic amount.

Patient preference is additionally crucial. Some individuals may choose to evade certain adverse reactions, such as intimacy issues or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition