The research examined more than 58,000 people and 30 different types of common antidepressants, including sertraline, citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. Researchers found that certain drugs led to participants seeing their heart rate increase by as much as 21 beats per minute and gaining 2kg in weight.
Scientists reiterated that treatment guidelines should be updated to reflect differences in physiological risk but that the choice of antidepressant should be made on an individual basis.
At an inquest into the death of retail assistant Grace Uludag, assistant coroner Venessa Holt explained toxicology tests were carried out and the results indicated sertraline at a potentially fatal level. It was recorded as 1.94 milligrams of sertraline per litre of blood which suggested an overdose.
The toxicologist noted that a concentration of sertraline above 1.5 milligrams per litre of blood is known to be a contributing factor in death. A statement read on behalf of the family explained that there was never any indication their mum was suicidal, and she had never expressed any wish to die.
