Choosing the Right Antidepressant: A Balancing Act

Researchers have ranked the side effects of different antidepressants, highlighting that some can cause weight gain, while others might affect heart rate or blood pressure.

Key Findings

• Weight Changes:
• Agomelatine: Can lead to weight loss

• Maprotiline: Can cause weight gain

• Heart Rate Effects:
• Some antidepressants slow down the heart rate

• Others speed it up

• Blood Pressure Considerations:
• Venlafaxine and nortriptyline: Not suitable for people with high blood pressure

Personalized Treatment

• SSRIs: Tend to have fewer physical side effects
• Importance of Matching: The best antidepressant for one person might not be the best for another

Current Prescription Trends

• Most prescriptions in the UK are for:
• Citalopram
• Sertraline
• Fluoxetine

Future Implications

• Researchers are developing an online tool to help doctors and patients choose the right drug
• More research is needed to understand the long-term impacts