Read, Watch or Listen

Researchers from King’s College London and the University of Oxford have, for the first time, ranked the physical side effects of 30 antidepressants across 151 studies and 58,500 patients in the first eight weeks. They found large differences: weight shifts from a 2.4kg drop with agomelatine to nearly 2kg gain with maprotiline; a 21‑bpm heart‑rate gap between fluvoxamine and nortriptyline; and an 11 mmHg blood‑pressure difference between nortriptyline and doxepin. Experts urge closer, person‑specific prescribing—SSRIs generally had fewer physical effects—while warning patients not to stop treatment. An online tool to guide choices is planned; longer‑term impacts need testing.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.