A new analysis in The Lancet shows that antidepressants can cause significant physical changes — including shifts in weight, heart rate, and blood pressure — in as little as eight weeks. Researchers from King’s College London and Oxford University reviewed data from 58,000 patients across 30 common antidepressants and found that some led to rapid weight gain or loss, while others noticeably affected heart function.
Certain drugs increased heart rate by up to 14 beats per minute, while others lowered it. Even small changes, experts warn, can raise the risk of heart problems over time. With more than eight million people in the U.K. currently taking antidepressants, these early effects could have major public health implications.
Experts are urging doctors to monitor patients more closely, especially those with existing heart or weight concerns. While SSRIs generally caused fewer side effects, the findings highlight the importance of personalized treatment. Understanding how different antidepressants affect the body could help doctors make safer, more effective prescribing decisions.
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