Could Anti-Depressents and Temazepam affect weight loss?

FK1983

Hi all,
I was just wondering if Anti-Depressants and Sleeping tablets could affect weight loss and in which way?

I've been taking Citalopram for a few years on and off and a few months ago my dose was increased from 20mg to 40mg, I've also been on Temazepam due to sleeping problems but have slowly been reducing the dose (was on 20mg, now on 5mg).

I have already lost most the weight I wanted to lose and am near my goal but I'm thinking more about maintaining weight and trying to do everything I can to make sure I don't put the weight back on, mainly from sweet cravings, could that be caused by the medication?


Thanks

dls06

It could. You could find more information by going to web MD or a site like that and looking at the side effects of what you are taking. Good Luck on your journey.
Oh and Congratulations on your great weight loss.

wheelieblade

I was on citalopram for a while and yes it can, now on prozac which could do the same but would have thought the side effects would be less now you've been on it a while, I only really had the side effects for a couple of weeks and as they were hellish I'm glad. maybe talk to your gp, of course if you need to take the citalopram don't stop but maybe he/she could suggest something else instead. As for the temazapam no idea, I tried sleeping tablets once but they didn't work and left me feeling like I hadn't slept when I woke up. the tramadol and gabapentin work better for it now anyway

from what i remember of citalopram change in appetite and weight gain/loss were side effects, does your gp know you're trying to lose weight? I told mine at my last appointment and she's happy with what I'm doing at the moment

just had a look online and yep weight changes are a side effect of citalopram

stressd1mom

I'm not sure about the medications, I just wanted to say WOW! Congratulations to you on your tremendous weight loss success!

MrsWibbly

Yes they could. I take zispin and one of the side effects is increase appetite and craving carbs and sweet things (while on zispin I usually gain on average 1lb a week - try to fight against it this time)

My consultant explained that other than the medications that have know side effects that can cause changes in appetite the main issue is that depression can affect appetite and when you take the medication to help the depression then the depression will have less affect on your appetite so thing will change. It can go both ways too. I used to lose weight when depressed (as I would forget to eat) but now I eat more junk and convenience foods when depressed so I gain weight.

The only bonus is that while on medication I am more likely to have the motivation to exercise and take care of myself.

I also find that if I exercise regularly (thats a min of 20 mins cardio every morning to wake myself up) and cut caffiene and alcohol completely from my diet I sleep better too.

Congrats on your huge acheivements so far and I'll be hoping you can find the balance you need.

DebiP10

me and you are like twins with our injuries and medication lol i was on 40mg citalopram for 1 year, thats when i started dieting and going to the gym. i never gained weight but lost 2 stone in that time. just recently off citalopram and seem to be struggling keeping weight off lol

healthygirltx

Yes, they can affect weight. My advice is for you to talk with your doctor and discuss the pros and cons of your medication and determine which ones are right for you.

FK1983

Yes, they can affect weight. My advice is for you to talk with your doctor and discuss the pros and cons of your medication and determine which ones are right for you.

I am going up this week for a checkup anyway so will ask him/her

healthygirltx

Great! Good luck with your continued weight loss!

FK1983

Great! Good luck with your continued weight loss!

Thanks