Antidepressants

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Replies

  • F00LofaT00K
    F00LofaT00K Posts: 688 Member
    Some antidepressants cause an increase in appetite and many people who have no appetite while depressed suddenly find themselves ravenously hungry once they begin to medicate their depression. This is the reason people think antidepressants cause weight gain. The medication itself will not cause you to pack on the pounds, unless for some reason your body reacts to it by retaining water, and even then it won't add inches. As long as you're tracking your caloric intake and not going over your goals, you shouldn't gain weight from an antidepressant.
  • kimberly_smith718
    kimberly_smith718 Posts: 16
    I've tried probably 15 antidepressants since I was diagnosed 20 years ago. PLEASE TALK WITH YOUR DOCTOR! Meds react differently for different people. If one medication doesn't make Person A gain weight, it may for Person B. There are brand new meds out there now (I'm on one called Brintellix) that can also help. Inform yourself before you decide to tell your doctor what meds you want to be on. Trust the doctor. I've been hospitalized once (from my own volition) and have been suicidal. I also suffer from my anxiety. Good luck!
  • jacksonkm2001
    jacksonkm2001 Posts: 11 Member
    Antidepressants are killing my appetite. I'm on Zoloft and I don't feel hungry or full, ever. I'm trying to log to make sure that I'm actually eating enough, and eating the right things.

    Sertraline has had the same effect on me. I just simply don't have the same compulsion to eat as before and I am also trying to make sure that I eat enough. Amazing how they affect in such different ways. I put on with fluoxetine.
  • roeroe5
    roeroe5 Posts: 27
    Wellbutrin is the best i've been on. Doesn't give me that horrid munchies, great meds in general, BUT it's not for everyone. If you are a compulsive or emotional eater it does help with compulsion and the anxiety that goes with it. Takes a while to kick in for depression.
  • elephant2mouse
    elephant2mouse Posts: 906 Member
    I'm on Lamotrigine (Lamictal) and so far it hasn't affected my weight either way.
  • justamyagain
    justamyagain Posts: 154 Member
    After being diagnosed with Panic Disorder 22 years ago I've been on too many medications to count. Different meds work differently for different people. And can work differently at different times in your life. For example, Prozac worked wonderfully for me years ago (no side effects), but horribly for me last year. I am currently on Effexor Xr and Klonopin, and it seems to be a good match for me. The Klonopin is actually suppressing my appetite, so that's an added bonus. When first diagnosed I did gain a lot of weight on the meds, but my mental health had to be my focus. I am much more cautious about weight gain now, but I also work very closely with my doctor. Good luck, and feel free to message me if you have any questions.
  • michaelachallis
    michaelachallis Posts: 137 Member
    I have never gained weight on anti-depressants, if anything it lead to me loosing because i could actually get out of bed and do things in life.
  • farmers_daughter
    farmers_daughter Posts: 1,632 Member
    I'm currently taking Zoloft, and I'm ready to change. I'm so sick of the nightmares, and horrid stupid dreams. One cannot surely get a good nights sleep when dreaming that oddly!!! It also doesn't seem to control my anxiety highs. But as far as weight, I can't say that its affected it one way or the other for sure. I can tell you that I've busted my butt up until about 2 weeks ago, with a 5lb loss...some would say it was water weight I say it's the only 5lbs I've ever lost in my life on my own. Idk.
  • farmers_daughter
    farmers_daughter Posts: 1,632 Member
    And also I have to say this outpouring of people sharing experiences, thank you.... just really. I've questioned too many times whether I should be able to handle this myself. So thank you to OP for even posting it.

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