Study Ranks Antidepressants by Their Physical Health Effects for the First Time

For the first time, researchers have compared the physical side effects of commonly prescribed antidepressants, revealing significant variations between drugs. The joint study by King’s College London and the University of Oxford analysed 151 trials covering 30 medications and more than 58,000 patients. Results showed that some antidepressants could cause up to 2kg of weight gain or alter heart rates by as much as 21 beats per minute within eight weeks of treatment. Published in The Lancet, the findings highlight that even minor differences could have large-scale health impacts, given that one in six adults in Europe and North America take antidepressants. Experts stress that treatment should be personalized to each patient’s health profile, while warning patients not to discontinue medication without medical advice.

27-10-2025