Antidepressant Adverse Reactions Like Body Weight, BP Changes Vary Depending on Medication

• An comprehensive recent study found that the unwanted effects of antidepressants vary considerably by drug.
• Some drugs resulted in weight loss, whereas other medications caused weight gain.
• Pulse rate and arterial pressure additionally diverged notably across medications.
• Individuals suffering from ongoing, severe, or worrisome adverse reactions should consult a physician.

Recent investigations has revealed that antidepressant medication side effects may be more extensive than previously thought.

The large-scale study, published on the 21st of October, assessed the effect of antidepressant medications on in excess of 58,000 individuals within the beginning eight weeks of commencing medication.

The scientists examined 151 research projects of 30 medications frequently used to treat clinical depression. While not every patient experiences unwanted effects, several of the most frequent recorded in the investigation were fluctuations in body weight, BP, and metabolic parameters.

Researchers observed notable variations across antidepressant medications. For example, an 60-day regimen of one medication was associated with an typical weight loss of approximately 2.4 kg (about 5.3 lbs), whereas another drug individuals increased nearly 2 kg in the equivalent period.

Additionally, significant fluctuations in cardiac function: one antidepressant often would reduce cardiac rhythm, whereas another medication raised it, causing a gap of about 21 BPM across the two medications. BP varied as well, with an 11 mmHg variation observed across one drug and another medication.

Clinical professionals observed that the research's results are not new or surprising to psychiatrists.

"It has long been understood that various antidepressants differ in their effects on weight, blood pressure, and additional metabolic indicators," a specialist commented.

"Nonetheless, what is significant about this research is the rigorous, comparison-based measurement of these disparities among a extensive spectrum of physical indicators employing data from over 58,000 participants," the specialist added.

This study provides robust proof of the extent of adverse reactions, certain of which are more frequent than other effects. Frequent depression drug adverse reactions may encompass:

• stomach problems (sickness, loose stools, blockage)
• sexual problems (reduced sex drive, inability to orgasm)
• body weight fluctuations (gain or reduction, based on the medication)
• sleep problems (inability to sleep or sleepiness)
• mouth dryness, sweating, headache

Additionally, rarer but medically important adverse reactions may include:

• elevations in blood pressure or pulse rate (notably with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and some tricyclics)
• reduced blood sodium (especially in senior patients, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and SNRIs)
• elevated hepatic parameters
• Corrected QT interval prolongation (risk of abnormal heart rhythm, particularly with one medication and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
• diminished feelings or lack of interest

"A key factor to consider in this context is that there are multiple varying categories of antidepressant medications, which contribute to the varying negative drug reactions," another expert commented.

"Additionally, antidepressant drugs can affect each patient differently, and adverse effects can range depending on the specific pharmaceutical, dosage, and patient elements including body chemistry or simultaneous health issues."

While some unwanted effects, including changes in rest, appetite, or stamina, are fairly common and commonly get better with time, different reactions may be less typical or continuing.

Depression drug unwanted effects may differ in severity, which could justify a change in your medication.

"An modification in antidepressant medication may be necessary if the person suffers ongoing or unbearable side effects that fail to enhance with duration or supportive care," a expert said.

"Additionally, if there is an development of recent health problems that may be worsened by the current treatment, such as elevated BP, abnormal heart rhythm, or substantial increased body weight."

You may furthermore contemplate consulting with your healthcare provider concerning any absence of substantial improvement in depression-related or anxiety-related symptoms after an appropriate evaluation duration. The sufficient evaluation duration is typically 4–8 weeks at a treatment dosage.

Personal preference is additionally significant. Certain people may prefer to evade certain side effects, such as sexual dysfunction or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition