"Side effects of different antidepressants have been ranked for the first time, revealing huge differences between drugs. Academics looked at the impact medications had on patients in the first eight weeks after starting treatment, with some causing patients to gain up to 2kg in weight or vary heart rate by as much as 21 beats every minute. Around eight million people in the UK take antidepressants."
"The team analysed 151 studies of 30 drugs commonly used in depression, involving more than 58,500 patients. Not everybody develops side effects but, on average, the results published in the Lancet medical journal showed: An eight-week prescription of agomelatine was linked to a 2.4kg drop in weight compared with maprotiline, which led to nearly 2kg of weight gain A difference of 21 beats per minute between fluvoxamine, which slowed the heart, and nortriptyline, which sped it up"
Analysis of 151 studies covering 30 antidepressant drugs and more than 58,500 patients produced a ranking of side effects within the first eight weeks of treatment. Side effects varied widely between drugs and included weight changes, heart rate variation and blood pressure shifts. An eight-week course of agomelatine was associated with a 2.4kg weight loss compared with nearly 2kg gain from maprotiline. Fluvoxamine slowed heart rate while nortriptyline increased it by about 21 beats per minute. Nortriptyline and doxepin differed by roughly 11 mmHg in blood pressure. These differences can influence long-term health and medication adherence and warrant closer matching of drugs to individual needs. Patients should not stop treatment without medical advice.
Read at www.bbc.com
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