Zoloft and weight gain?

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Replies

  • Holla4mom
    Holla4mom Posts: 587 Member
    I stayed around 150 even after having 4 kids. (I'm 5'7 1/2"). I gained 25 pounds my first 2 years on zoloft and have had to exercise regularly and be conscious of what I eat to keep from gaining anymore.

    It helps my anxiety so much though, even with exercise and proper diet, I don't feel I can come off yet. I think the fact that I take Trazadone at night for sleep and once it kicks in I go into a half-asleep eating binge of stuff I would never eat during the day.

    I"m glad I'm not the only one, (oh I guess that's a little mean, lol), but I know what I'm up against and people do still lose on SSRIs so I know I can too.
  • NotJustADieter
    NotJustADieter Posts: 229 Member
    Was on Zoloft a while back (I'm off now- made me suicidal) and it didn't impact my weight. I'm on an SNRI now, after a number of SSRIs. Just watch what you eat and you'll be fine.
  • gregheard16
    gregheard16 Posts: 1
    Yes. In my case it added weight. About 30 lbs.

    I took Zolof (generic version) for about 3 years due to PTSD. I does calm you but I noticed the weight gain after about a year. It kinda of caught me off guard. Each month/year I got heavier and heavier and could not lose the weight regardless of diet and exercise.

    Then the high cholesterol kicked in due to the heavy weight. I add this because the statins added more weight and left me feeling miserable because of very nasty side effects.

    I finally decided to quit both. The Zolof does has nasty withdraw symptoms (basically a nasty hangover for about a month) and anyone should work closely with a doctor to change or stop. The statins for cholesterol I would not wish on my worst enemy. I think the GPs look at blood test numbers and not the negative side effects. Just my opinion.

    Anyway. My body is shifting back to athletic and the weight is slowing coming off (very slowly coming off). I do take krill oil, q10 and D supplements. Never been a pill pusher but they do seem to help.

    The Zolof did what I needed at the time. I don't need it anymore.

    Weight gain can cause low self esteem. The Zolof makes you feel good but do you really feel good when you are over weight and the negative side effects of extra weight on your body.

    - good luck all

    - Greg




    After a month I feel much better. I do take krill oil and q10 to help with the cholesterol.
  • DebTavares
    DebTavares Posts: 170 Member
    I'm on Paxil, another ssri. It has done wonders for my anxiety, but I would attribute about a 10-15 lb weight gain to it. This is while keeping diet contant. I am going to talk to my doctor about an alternative because 10 lbs on my frame is a lot. So I think these drugs cause weight gain not just because of a possible increase in appetite, but also because they somehow affect metabolism.
  • iasue
    iasue Posts: 46 Member
    I gained 40 pounds in the span of 2 years while on Zoloft. I switched to Wellbutrin about 3 months ago and have only seen about a 7 lb weight loss from it - the rest of it just won't come off. There are times when I want to say f-it and just quit the meds but I know I can't. It stinks but I am determined to find something that works for me mentally yet doesn't impede my weight loss.
  • ahrigg89
    ahrigg89 Posts: 1 Member
    My anti-depressant story consists of Welbutrin (1-2 months in the beginning, switched because it did nothing for me), Paxil (4 years) and Zoloft (2 years).

    I am 5' 7.5" and before starting on the meds, I was around 120-130lbs at 18 years old. Very sedentary, never been much of a sporty or active person and I have always had a calm demeanor.

    6 years later, at 24 years old, I am up to 190lbs and have gotten up to as much as 195lbs. I have gained SIXTY pounds, which is absolutely frustrating and disgusting. I am now considered "obese", something I dreaded becoming for YEARS.

    3 months ago I decided it was time for a change, so I am weaning myself off Sertraline.
    I was up to 75mg for a couple months after I had returned from 6 months of being overseas for a mission trip, and decided to go back down to 50mg for a month, when I decided to continue weaning myself down further.

    I have continued cutting back 12.5mg each month.
    75mg. 50mg. 37.5mg. 25mg. I just began with 12.5mg for the month of September and plan to go on St. John's Wort after I discontinue Zoloft (Sertraline).

    The reason I am taking myself off of the medication is because of the multiple effects it has caused; fatigue and drowsiness, confusion, excessive weight gain, fogginess, dizziness, and just knowing the risks of the lasting results it can cause to my brain.

    I don't have an answer to whether or not I will lose weight when being off of the medication fully, but I will let you guys know!
  • cynthiamm67
    cynthiamm67 Posts: 52 Member
    I've been on a series of SSRIs for the last 14 years. I put on about 75 lbs, in what seemed like overnight. I do think the meds were the main reason for the gain, in addition to my severe depression at the time. Going off them is not an option for me (I've had enough emergency room visits). I am losing weight now, but it has taken an extreme diet change, and I'm losing very slowly.

    Caution to anyone thinking about taking themselves off the meds without physician supervision. As miserable as I am with my size, I'd rather be functional and fat than so depressed or anxious I can't function. YMMV.
  • angierosed
    angierosed Posts: 17 Member
    I am TIRED of psychiatrists lying about side effects! I tell them I have xyz side effect and they say, no it's not the med, it's you! Lies! And I've had this issue with more than one psychiatrist. Anyways, I took Zoloft for 5 weeks and my stomach got SO fat. I'm sitting at my desk at work and my belly is hanging over my pants. it's disgusting. The weirdest thing is that at the same time, I lost weight everywhere else! And the scale was going down. All while my stomach was getting fat and big. It's a layer of gross fat. Anyways I was not eating very much either. I'm so confused. How can you lose weight, and at the very same time, gain weight? Sounds impossible. I have been off Zoloft for 10 days, and no improvement yet. I just started T25 3 days ago, and preparing all of my own healthy meals. I HOPE it goes away. It took only a few weeks to gain, but I have a feeling it's going to take a long time to get off, stubborn fat. I will update you guys. Any insight? Has anyone else had this happen?
  • corinne1977
    corinne1977 Posts: 142 Member
    I absolutely agree with you. I had to switch from Zoloft to Wellbutrin because of weight gain. I packed on almost 25 lbs in less than 6 months on Zoloft. which made me even more depressed. After excersing like crazy and eating sensibly; the weight didn't come off until I switched to Wellbutrin. So far I've lost 15 of the 25 lbs I gained. The doctor that prescribed the Wellbutrin did tell me that Zoloft is known for weight gain along with a few others. Wellbutrin is one med that is known more with weight loss rather than weight gain. I can't speak for anyone else but this has been my experience.
  • molls10m
    molls10m Posts: 22
    Welp I'm on zoloft and have told my doctor in the past that I feel really bloated and my weight has stayed about the same. I'm definitely reading everything your saying and taking it to heart. I know you have to wean yourself off of it so I'm going to my doctor because this is ridiculous that this has happened to so many people. Thanks for posting this topic!!!
  • angierosed
    angierosed Posts: 17 Member
    I absolutely agree with you. I had to switch from Zoloft to Wellbutrin because of weight gain. I packed on almost 25 lbs in less than 6 months on Zoloft. which made me even more depressed. After excersing like crazy and eating sensibly; the weight didn't come off until I switched to Wellbutrin. So far I've lost 15 of the 25 lbs I gained. The doctor that prescribed the Wellbutrin did tell me that Zoloft is known for weight gain along with a few others. Wellbutrin is one med that is known more with weight loss rather than weight gain. I can't speak for anyone else but this has been my experience.

    I'm glad you had an up front and honest doctor that didn't deny the weight gain side effect, like some doctors do.
  • corinne1977
    corinne1977 Posts: 142 Member
    I weaned myself off Zoloft over the course of a month or so before starting Wellbutrin. Please go slow and don't stop the medication abrubtly. The withdrawal is no fun!
  • corinne1977
    corinne1977 Posts: 142 Member
    Yes, I was very fortunate to find this doctor. He won't just write a prescription just because you ask for it.
  • ludeo
    ludeo Posts: 75
    I put on weight with it as well, off it now and struggling to lose.
    I'm really trying now so I'll see how it goes.
  • ludeo
    ludeo Posts: 75
    What's wellbutin???
  • Jlopez1961
    Jlopez1961 Posts: 1
    Thought I might add my 2 cents worth. I recently had an interruption in my prescription for Zoloft (20mg) and realized that I began to loose weight. I noticed only because I weigh myself every day frustrated in the fact that my weight refuses to budge. Like others, I think I eat well, lift weights much as a power lifter would, 4 times a week and tend to eat more a night. I read an interesting possibility why it is that we put on weight: your not/"not as" depressed and like food more than ever so you eat more. I put on 30 pounds when it was in my best interest to lose weight (heart surgery). I'd like to come off of this medicine, but like others, the doc warns against it. I was a bit rattled over the possibility of death due to the heart issue and had related anxiety attacks for a short while. Nonetheless, doc says keep taking it. I believe its time for Jay to take care of Jay within reason!

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