The study, conducted by a team of neuroscientists in the United Kingdom, included data from more than 58,000 participants, and compared 30 different types of antidepressants to determine their physiological effect on the body.
The results showed that these medications differ clearly in their effects on the heart and blood vessels, as it was found that amitriptyline, which is one of the most common antidepressants, causes weight gain in about half of the patients, in addition to an increase in heart rate and blood pressure.
According to the study, patients who took “amitriptyline” gained about 1.5 kilograms within 8 weeks, and their heart rate increased by 9 beats per minute, which increased the risk of stroke by 5 percent and death from any cause by 10 percent.
It has also been shown that other drugs, such as “Nortriptyline” and “Mirtazapine”, lead to similar results in weight gain or rapid heartbeat, while drugs such as “Citalopram” showed the opposite effect, as they were associated with a slight decrease in weight and systolic blood pressure.
The participating doctors stressed the importance of monitoring weight, blood pressure, and heart rate during treatment, stressing that choosing an antidepressant must be based on the patient’s health condition and drug response.
The study called for adopting a participatory approach to treatment decision-making between the doctor and the patient, taking into account the patient’s preferences and health goals, especially in cases of long-term treatment.
