Antidepressant Medication Side Effects Such as Body Weight, BP Changes Range by Drug

• An extensive latest research determined that the adverse reactions of depression drugs differ significantly by drug.
• Certain pharmaceuticals led to reduced body weight, while different drugs caused increased body weight.
• Pulse rate and blood pressure furthermore diverged markedly across medications.
• Individuals suffering from persistent, intense, or concerning side effects must speak with a medical provider.

Recent research has found that depression drug adverse reactions may be more varied than once assumed.

The extensive investigation, issued on the 21st of October, examined the influence of antidepressant medications on in excess of 58,000 participants within the initial eight weeks of beginning medication.

These researchers studied 151 studies of 30 medications commonly used to treat major depression. While not all individuals develops unwanted effects, some of the most common recorded in the research were changes in body weight, blood pressure, and metabolic parameters.

The study revealed significant differences among antidepressant medications. For instance, an eight-week regimen of one medication was linked to an typical weight loss of approximately 2.4 kilograms (about 5.3 lbs), whereas maprotiline users increased almost 2 kg in the same period.

Furthermore, significant fluctuations in cardiovascular activity: one antidepressant tended to slow pulse rate, while another medication elevated it, producing a difference of around 21 heartbeats per minute between the both treatments. Blood pressure differed also, with an 11 millimeters of mercury disparity noted between one drug and doxepin.

Clinical experts commented that the research's findings aren't novel or startling to psychiatrists.

"It has long been understood that various antidepressant medications vary in their impacts on weight, BP, and additional metabolic indicators," a expert stated.

"Nonetheless, what is significant about this investigation is the rigorous, relative measurement of these differences throughout a wide spectrum of bodily measurements using information from in excess of 58,000 participants," the specialist added.

The investigation provides strong support of the degree of side effects, several of which are more common than other effects. Frequent depression drug unwanted effects may include:

• gastrointestinal symptoms (sickness, loose stools, irregularity)
• sexual problems (lowered desire, inability to orgasm)
• weight changes (increase or decrease, based on the drug)
• rest issues (insomnia or sleepiness)
• oral dehydration, moisture, head pain

Additionally, rarer but therapeutically relevant unwanted effects may include:

• rises in BP or pulse rate (notably with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and certain tricyclics)
• hyponatremia (especially in elderly individuals, with SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• elevated hepatic parameters
• QTc extension (potential of arrhythmia, especially with one medication and some tricyclic antidepressants)
• diminished feelings or apathy

"An important point to consider here is that there are multiple varying categories of antidepressants, which result in the different negative pharmaceutical effects," another expert commented.

"Additionally, antidepressant drugs can influence every individual differently, and negative side effects can differ depending on the specific pharmaceutical, amount, and individual elements like metabolic rate or simultaneous health issues."

Although certain unwanted effects, such as variations in rest, appetite, or stamina, are reasonably common and frequently improve with time, others may be less typical or continuing.

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

"A adjustment in antidepressant medication may be appropriate if the person suffers ongoing or unacceptable adverse reactions that do not improve with passing days or supportive care," one specialist commented.

"Moreover, if there is an emergence of recently developed health problems that may be aggravated by the current medication, such as elevated BP, irregular heartbeat, or substantial increased body weight."

You may also contemplate speaking with your physician regarding any absence of substantial enhancement in low mood or anxiety symptoms following an appropriate testing period. The appropriate trial period is usually 4–8 weeks duration at a treatment dose.

Personal choice is also important. Some individuals may choose to avoid specific unwanted effects, like sexual problems or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition