A major study by researchers at King’s College London and the University of Oxford has revealed that different antidepressants vary widely in their physical side-effects, including weight change, blood pressure, and heart rate.
The review analysed data from 151 clinical trials involving over 58,000 patients taking 30 types of antidepressants for about eight weeks. Some medications led to significant weight gain or loss, while others had minimal effects.
Patients taking maprotiline or amitriptyline were most likely to gain up to 2kg within two months, while those on agomelatine typically lost around 2.5kg. Differences of up to 21 beats per minute in heart rate and 11 mmHg in blood pressure were also found between certain drugs.
Lead author Dr Toby Pillinger said that while antidepressants are among the world’s most prescribed medicines, “some can lead to meaningful changes in weight, heart rate, and blood pressure in a relatively short period.” He added that SSRIs generally had fewer physical side-effects.
Oxford psychiatrist Prof Andrea Cipriani emphasised the importance of shared decision-making, encouraging clinicians and patients to discuss personal preferences and health goals when choosing a treatment.
The researchers urged that clinical guidelines be updated to reflect these findings, allowing for more personalised antidepressant care.
