New Research Classifies Antidepressants by Side effects,Paving the Way for Personalized Prescriptions
A groundbreaking study by British researchers has,for the first time,categorized antidepressant medications based on their specific undesirable side effects. Published in The Lancet on October 21, 2025, the research offers the potential for doctors to tailor prescriptions to individual patients, minimizing adverse reactions.
The meta-analysis, conducted by the Institute of Psychology at King’s College London, reviewed data from 151 studies encompassing a total of 58,500 patients and 30 different antidepressant drugs.Researchers analyzed the impact of these medications on patients during the initial eight months of treatment.
currently, antidepressants – including SSRIs, SNRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, and atypical antidepressants – are prescribed based on the patient and the type of depression. While doctors have long recognized a range of side effects associated with these medications, a comprehensive classification has been lacking. This new study fills that gap.
“We found strong evidence that antidepressants differ considerably in their physiological effects, notably on cardiometabolic parameters,” the study authors state. “Treatment recommendations shoudl be updated to account for differences in physiological risk, but the choice of antidepressant should be individual, taking into account the clinical picture and preferences of patients, caregivers, and clinicians.”
The research revealed meaningful variations in physiological effects between different antidepressants.For example, patients taking agomelatine for eight weeks experienced an average weight loss of 2.4 kg,while those taking maprotiline gained an average of 2 kg. Blood pressure also varied considerably, with an average difference of 11 mmHg between patients on nortriptyline and doxepin. Furthermore, heart rate differed by an average of 21 beats per minute between fluvoxamine (slowing effect) and nortriptyline (speeding effect).
[Imageoftablefrom[Imageoftablefrom[Imageoftablefrom[ImageoftablefromThe Lancet showing side effect comparisons – Intended for professionals, this table should enable better prescriptions for patients.]
the researchers acknowledge that the long-term effects of these physiological changes remain unknown. They also note that the study did not address all potential side effects, such as gastrointestinal issues, sexual dysfunction, or emotional blunting. Future research should also consider the varying effectiveness of different antidepressants when evaluating these side effects.
This study represents a significant step towards more personalized and effective antidepressant treatment, ultimately aiming to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
