Scientists from King’s College London and the University of Oxford have revealed how different antidepressants affect the body, showing major variations in weight, heart rate, and blood pressure among users. The research, based on data from more than 58,500 patients and 30 commonly prescribed antidepressants, highlights that side effects can begin within the first eight weeks of treatment.
The study found that the choice of antidepressant could lead to differences of up to 4 kilograms in body weight, a 21-beat-per-minute change in heart rate, and significant shifts in blood pressure.
According to Dr. Atheeshaan Arumuham of King’s College London, “For the first time, we can clearly see that no two antidepressants are built the same.” The findings emphasize the need for more personalized treatment approaches rather than a one-size-fits-all method.
Patients taking maprotiline gained about 2 kilograms on average, while those on agomelatine lost roughly 2.4 kilograms. Nortriptyline was shown to increase heart rate by around 14 beats per minute, whereas fluvoxamine reduced it by about 8 beats per minute. Blood pressure differences between drugs reached up to 11 mmHg.
While these changes are short-term, researchers caution that prolonged effects on weight or cardiovascular function could raise the risk of heart disease, stroke, or other complications over time.
The study marks a significant step toward understanding how antidepressant choice can influence not just mental health, but overall physical well-being.
