Antidepressant Side Effects Such as Body Weight, Blood Pressure Changes Differ by Drug

• An comprehensive new research discovered that the side effects of antidepressant medications differ significantly by drug.
• Certain pharmaceuticals led to decreased mass, whereas other medications resulted in increased body weight.
• Cardiac rhythm and BP additionally diverged notably across drugs.
• Those experiencing continuing, serious, or worrisome side effects ought to discuss with a physician.

New research has found that antidepressant side effects may be more varied than earlier believed.

This large-scale investigation, released on October 21st, examined the effect of depression treatments on more than 58,000 individuals within the initial 60 days of commencing therapy.

These investigators analyzed 151 research projects of 30 medications frequently prescribed to treat clinical depression. Although not all individuals experiences side effects, certain of the most common recorded in the research were variations in body weight, blood pressure, and metabolic indicators.

Researchers observed significant variations across antidepressant medications. For instance, an 60-day treatment period of agomelatine was associated with an average decrease in mass of approximately 2.4 kilos (roughly 5.3 pounds), while maprotiline patients added close to 2 kg in the identical duration.

Furthermore, notable changes in cardiovascular activity: one antidepressant was likely to decrease pulse rate, in contrast another medication elevated it, producing a difference of about 21 heartbeats per minute between the two medications. Blood pressure varied also, with an 11 mmHg disparity seen among nortriptyline and doxepin.

Medical specialists noted that the investigation's conclusions are not considered new or startling to mental health professionals.

"Clinicians have long recognized that distinct antidepressants vary in their impacts on body weight, arterial pressure, and additional metabolic parameters," a expert explained.

"However, what is significant about this investigation is the rigorous, comparative assessment of these differences across a wide range of physiological parameters utilizing findings from over 58,000 subjects," this professional added.

The research provides robust support of the magnitude of unwanted effects, several of which are more frequent than others. Typical antidepressant side effects may include:

• digestive issues (nausea, bowel issues, constipation)
• intimacy issues (decreased libido, inability to orgasm)
• mass variations (increase or decrease, depending on the agent)
• sleep problems (inability to sleep or drowsiness)
• dry mouth, sweating, headache

At the same time, rarer but clinically significant side effects may encompass:

• elevations in blood pressure or heart rate (especially with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
• hyponatremia (particularly in senior patients, with SSRIs and SNRIs)
• increased liver enzymes
• Corrected QT interval lengthening (chance of abnormal heart rhythm, notably with one medication and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
• reduced emotions or apathy

"A key factor to consider in this context is that there are several varying classes of antidepressant medications, which result in the distinct unwanted drug side effects," a different expert stated.

"Moreover, antidepressant medications can impact each person differently, and negative effects can vary according to the exact drug, dosage, and patient elements such as metabolic rate or comorbidities."

Although several side effects, including changes in rest, appetite, or energy levels, are reasonably typical and commonly get better as time passes, others may be less frequent or longer-lasting.

Antidepressant side effects may vary in seriousness, which could justify a modification in your medication.

"A change in antidepressant may be appropriate if the individual experiences ongoing or intolerable adverse reactions that fail to enhance with duration or supportive care," one expert stated.

"Furthermore, if there is an development of recently developed medical issues that may be aggravated by the existing treatment, for example high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythm, or significant mass addition."

Patients may additionally consider speaking with your healthcare provider about any lack of significant enhancement in low mood or worry symptoms following an appropriate testing period. An sufficient trial period is typically 4–8 weeks duration at a therapeutic dose.

Patient choice is furthermore important. Certain individuals may prefer to prevent specific adverse reactions, such as intimacy issues or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition