Antidepressant Medication Adverse Reactions Such as Weight, Blood Pressure Fluctuations Range Depending on Medication

• An comprehensive recent investigation determined that the adverse reactions of antidepressants differ significantly by drug.
• Certain drugs resulted in reduced body weight, whereas different drugs resulted in increased body weight.
• Cardiac rhythm and blood pressure also diverged notably between drugs.
• Patients experiencing persistent, intense, or troubling unwanted effects should consult a medical provider.

New studies has revealed that depression drug adverse reactions may be more diverse than once assumed.

The comprehensive study, issued on the 21st of October, assessed the impact of depression treatments on in excess of 58,000 individuals within the beginning 60 days of starting medication.

The scientists examined 151 studies of 30 medications typically employed to address major depression. Although not all individuals experiences adverse reactions, several of the most prevalent recorded in the research were fluctuations in body weight, arterial pressure, and metabolic markers.

There were striking variations across antidepressant medications. For instance, an eight-week regimen of one medication was associated with an average reduction in body weight of around 2.4 kg (about 5.3 lbs), whereas maprotiline users increased close to 2 kg in the same duration.

Additionally, marked variations in cardiovascular activity: one antidepressant was likely to decrease cardiac rhythm, while another medication elevated it, producing a difference of about 21 heartbeats per minute among the both treatments. Arterial pressure fluctuated too, with an 11 mmHg variation observed between nortriptyline and another medication.

Medical professionals commented that the research's conclusions are not recent or unexpected to mental health professionals.

"We've long known that different depression drugs vary in their influences on body weight, BP, and additional metabolic parameters," a specialist stated.

"Nonetheless, what is notable about this research is the rigorous, comparison-based assessment of these variations across a extensive spectrum of physiological parameters utilizing data from more than 58,000 subjects," the expert commented.

This investigation offers robust support of the degree of unwanted effects, certain of which are more common than other effects. Common antidepressant side effects may include:

• stomach problems (nausea, bowel issues, irregularity)
• sexual dysfunction (decreased libido, anorgasmia)
• mass variations (addition or loss, based on the medication)
• sleep problems (sleeplessness or sedation)
• dry mouth, perspiration, headache

Meanwhile, rarer but medically important unwanted effects may encompass:

• increases in arterial pressure or cardiac rhythm (especially with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and some tricyclics)
• reduced blood sodium (especially in senior patients, with SSRIs and SNRIs)
• increased liver enzymes
• Corrected QT interval prolongation (chance of abnormal heart rhythm, notably with citalopram and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
• emotional blunting or lack of interest

"A key factor to consider in this context is that there are several distinct types of antidepressant medications, which result in the varying adverse medication reactions," another expert commented.

"Moreover, antidepressant medications can influence each patient variably, and unwanted reactions can differ based on the exact pharmaceutical, dosage, and patient factors like metabolic rate or simultaneous health issues."

Although several unwanted effects, such as fluctuations in rest, hunger, or energy levels, are fairly frequent and commonly improve with time, other effects may be less frequent or longer-lasting.

Antidepressant medication adverse reactions may vary in severity, which could warrant a adjustment in your drug.

"An modification in antidepressant medication may be warranted if the individual suffers ongoing or unbearable side effects that fail to enhance with passing days or management strategies," one professional commented.

"Furthermore, if there is an appearance of recent medical conditions that may be exacerbated by the existing medication, for example hypertension, irregular heartbeat, or considerable mass addition."

You may additionally think about talking with your healthcare provider regarding any absence of meaningful enhancement in depression-related or anxiety-related indicators after an adequate trial period. The sufficient testing period is usually 4–8 weeks at a therapeutic dosage.

Individual inclination is furthermore significant. Certain patients may want to avoid specific side effects, including sexual dysfunction or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition