A study shows that the side effects of antidepressants vary significantly among patients, suggesting the need for personalized prescribing.

This international research published in The Lancet highlights the importance of personalizing the prescription of antidepressants, considering the significant variations in side effects among patients. Analyzing 151 studies and 17 FDA reports, the researchers included 41,937 patients, emphasizing that side effects, such as weight gain or loss, can differ considerably. Although antidepressants are effective in treating psychiatric disorders, they can cause physiological changes that may lead patients to discontinue treatment, worsening their condition.

The study identified significant differences between the side effects of different medications, suggesting the need to update therapeutic guidelines to reflect these risks. The information obtained could help in the development of applications that facilitate shared decision-making between patients and doctors for personalized treatment. Other side effects, such as emotional apathy or sexual disorders, were not included in this analysis.