Zoloft Weight Gain?

JennBennett410

Anyone take Zoloft? Anyone gain weight from it? Other side affects. Starting it today and hoping this doesn't make my weight loss any harder than it has become for me!
ANY information would help! THANKS!

shovav91

I gained weight on Zoloft as well as Lexipro. I also had awful withdrawal after Zoloft =/ Best of luck!

Bankman1989

it definitely makes you gain weight. At least you found out sooner than later. It also makes you angry fyi!

katismiles

It hasn't made me gain weight. I've been on it for years a few years now but even when I started it, it caused no weight gain for me....

arwensb

it definitely makes you gain weight. At least you found out sooner than later. It also makes you angry fyi!

I don't know what you mean about it making you angry!!
I was on Zoloft for years. I was not in a weight-loss mode at all during that time, so I don't have any idea if it did or did not affect my weight.
It never made me angry. In fact, it worked really well for my depression. The only side effect I had was sexual, which is why I am currently trying something else. The new meds I am on (Cymbalta) have not helped with the sexual side effects and they have definitely increased my appetite. I could eat constantly and never stop if I let myself!
These meds work differently for each individual. Your best method is just to try and see how it works with your individual chemistry.
Good luck!

dakoerber

I was on it after my son was born and I did have a much harder time losing weight than when my daughter was born. I did come off in the last few years because I was on it for so long (8yrs) and it wasn't working as well as it had. Within a year I did lose the excess weight and then with diet and exercise I finally met my goal.

Having said that I would not encourage to not take the medication. If it is something you were prescribed for a reason then you should take the medication. I don't know your situation or if this is permanant but your mental health is important too.

mallorybriann

My DR. put me on it to help me sleep. I took it for about a two weeks and I had to stop.
I got super hungry. shaky, felt like I had ants running up and down inside. Very jittery and restless.
She told me it was weight neutral, leaning more towards weight loss. But I was a hungry hungry hippo when I took it. Even tried right before bed, but it continued throughout the next day.
:ohwell:

jenna_watsonator

I've been taking it for a few years and it hasn't caused weight gain. I guess it depends on the person. I take it for ocd and anxiety

_Timmeh_

Low sex drive.

JennBennett410

NOW I am super worried, but I need to take it. Hopefully it wont' have these affects on me. Thanks for your input!

star7092

I was on prozac and had the opposite effect. It actually made me feel like I wasn't hungry all the time and I would have to force myself to eat something. I've heard that Zoloft can actaully make you gain weight. I guess it depends on the person though. Good luck!

rungirl27

Yes, I actually took zoloft then Wellbutrin, then Celexa for post partum depression about 10 years ago. I did not gain weight but looking back I had a hard time losing any weight. Then I got off when I got pregnant for the 2nd time. i was able to lose weight after that pregnancy but was not on any antidepressants. I ran a lot. Then I got injured and could not run anymore got really depressed started Prozac and then Lexapro and gained 15 pounds in about 6 months. Got off of it a year ago and I still have not lost that weight. In fact I gained another 5. So for me I absolutely associate weight gain with antidepressants. I think it depends on the person though. Everyone is different. I will not take them again unless I absolutely have to. The weight gain made me more depressed so they did not work for me personlly (did not like the side effects were not worth it) and I tried many different ones. Also, the withdrawals are AWFUL with zoloft. I had panic attacks trying to get off of it and switching to another. They are not worth it it me. Way too many issues.

ATT949

I took Zoloft about a decade ago for situational depression. Zoloft worked for me, unfortunately, like all of the SSRI's, it hits some people with side effects, one of which is anorgasmia. Yes, guys, you'll love the "Pink Steel" moniker that my girlfriends bestowed on me but it does make some things an awful lot of work. I did some research on the Web and found that Wellbutrin has less of an impact in that area and everyone was happy after the switch.

BTW, I'm glad to see that you, and other folks here, are dealing with depression. My now 25 year-old son was diagnosed with clinical depression at the age of 8 and I wasn't able to get the right combination of meds for him until he was 16. It's a brutal disease that impacts millions of people. I sincerely hope you find what works for you.

ATT949

Some SSRI's are prescribed for their appetite suppressing tendencies. My son ended up taking a prescription amphetamine that helped counteract his loss of appetite - he was 6' 6" and weighed in the 180's!

carebear7951

I gained weight on Zoloft as well as Lexipro. I also had awful withdrawal after Zoloft =/ Best of luck!

Yeah that! Can I ask why Zoloft was chosen for you? Are you breastfeeding?? If not, there are so many others that have less side effects and withdrawal. Most people I know who have taken Zoloft have had weight gain and no sex drive. Then I thought I would need Methadone for the withdrawal!!!! (Maybe a little exaggerated but not much, my joints hurt sooooo bad plus the depression was back twice as bad as before the drugs) I weaned my toddler and went to Prozac and could finally lose weight.

JennBennett410

Thank you for all your responses. I am on a low dose of Z and I am hoping that with my dedication to my diet and exercise (and it improving my moods) that I will not gain weight on it.
I am very focused on losing 20 pounds and I will not let this pill change that.
BUT I do appreciate everyone's support and answers. NOW I know i have a big challenge ahead of me!
THanks again!

BrittSwimsJDRF

Jenn, I prescribe it a lot for our patients here. Most of them experience nausea, dry mouth, or anorexia, much more so than weight gain or hunger. The better you sleep, the easier it is to keep down the stress hormones, which can help with weight loss. I think you'll be just fine!

JennBennett410

THANKS! I appreciate hearing that. I haven't slept in a LONG LONG TIME!

mmehall

How did you withdrawal form Zoloft- I have gained 10 lbs despite eating 1200 cal and exercising 3 x week (45 min on elliptical)

caffeinekandie

I just started Zoloft (9 days) and started exercising again. And I've lost weight.

Everyone responds to meds differently-and sometimes you have different reactions to the same med. I took Effexor twice, the first time I gained a good 60lbs, the second time I took it for 3 weeks and lost 15lbs.

bumblebreezy91

I was on sertraline for one year and I didn't experience weight gain. I was eating at a deficit or maintenance while taking it, so sometimes I even lost weight when I put my mind to it but mostly nothing changed because my eating habits didn't change. Typically, with antidepressants and loads of other medications, weight gain occurs when someone too depressed to eat gets a mood lift from their medication and begins to eat significantly more, and not from the actual pill itself. As long as you're diligent and log everyday, you should be okay.

Alyssawinter1221

I also take Zoloft and have gained weight. I recently stopped taking it because it was making me very Ill in the middle of the night.

I find that replacing it with exercise has helped slightly with the withdrawal.

Dusy19

I noticed a crazy increase in appetite. Particularly crave sugar and salty treats. Yet, with exericise and concentrating on a nutritious menu the cravings subside. My weight dropped near normal and the SSRI definitely helped my overall mood.

djicon

I've been reading all the forums regarding Zoloft and weight gain. Before I was on Zoloft, I was at 13-14% body fat, lean, toned and extremely fit. I've now been on Zoloft for 8 months and am now up to 17-18% body fat and have gained 10 lbs. I eat very healthy, exercise 5-6x a week (strenuously), eat and burn the same calories as I have before the medication. But I keep gaining weight, mostly in my abdomen and my pants are fitting tight. 10 lbs may not seem like much, but on my 5'4" frame it is. The whole reason I got on the medication in the first place was to control my depression and anxiety, but this weight gain is making the anxiety just as bad. I think I am going to wean off of it and control my mood naturally, through yoga, meditation, exercise. It's just not worth it.

caminoslo

Anyone take Zoloft? Anyone gain weight from it? Other side affects. Starting it today and hoping this doesn't make my weight loss any harder than it has become for me!
ANY information would help! THANKS!

I took it I was always hungry, I had insomnia, and had weird dizziness. I got tired of it and quit cold turkey. Dont do that though caue its probably illegal for you to do that.

IronMikeFox

Hey there. As you can see from all the varied responses, Zoloft (like all medications) can have different effects on different people. Personally, I haven't really had any bad side effects from it. I have been taking it for years now. My weight has fluctuated, but I attribute that more to my own eating habits than the medication. This thread does make me wonder though if taking it is hampering my weight loss efforts. Regardless, considering the difference it makes for me, it's worth it. The best thing to do is keep in frequent contact with your doctor as you start taking it. If you don't like anything about how it makes you feel, try something else. Also, I recommend working with a psychiatrist rather than going to a general physician. They are much more able to help you find the right med or combination of meds. Hope this helps!

lvmamaduke

I took Zoloft about 10yrs ago for several years and it made me lose weight since it suppressed my appetite. I did have horrible withdrawals when I stopped taking it.

raeshaunta

Yes im on it and have gained weight about 15 pounds all in abdomen.
I will switch to Wellbutin .Good luck.

Kisame29

If you're conscious about what you're eating, you shouldn't gain weight since it really only has that effect by increasing appetite. But that can be a huge issue and if it becomes a problem then you can always talk to your doctor about trying something else. By the way, the first 1-4 weeks are usually the worst for side effects (feeling shaky, kind of awful, nausea, etc), but most of those should go away after a couple of weeks and you should start to see a benefit after about a month (since SSRIs take 2-4 weeks before they start having the antidepressant effect). Also, don't just stop taking it without talking to your doctor- often they will "taper" you off of it (slowly give you lower doses) so you don't get really annoying side effects that can happen when stopping it.

Anyway, good luck! I haven't had that issue with Zoloft myself, but I did have issues with my birth control increasing my appetite to the point where I decided to switch to something else, so I know it can be frustrating to find something that works for you.

Unruleyjr

Thank you so very much for these posts. I am getting married in a week and have tried to lose weight for two months now. I have stayed at 1300-1600 calories and have exercised everyday. The scale, I swear, was stuck and I was incredibly frustrated. Unfortunately other scales agreed with mine!! Like other posters, I was at my highest weight ever except for during pregnancy.

I went to my doctor and she said "increase the cardio". I did. Nothing changed. I decided to look up my meds and found this thread. In the past 6 days I have weaned my Zoloft from 150mg a day to 50mg. And in those six days I have dropped 4 pounds. Plus, I was having severe ups and downs-losing 4 pounds in a day then gaining 4 the next (cortisol carousel!). Those ups and downs are gone now. I know about the cortisol signs because my former spouse who has now passed had Cushings and he would lose/gain 15 pounds a month for no reason.

I am on track now and feel so much better about myself. And my wedding dress will fit me now.

I would encourage everyone to consider the Zoloft/weight gain as a possibility. However, as others have said, it's not worth your mental health so if you really do need an anti-anxiety/anti-depressants to ask your doctor about other options.

Thank you again-I am getting "me" back and am so very happy.

llujan88

I was on Zoloft for about 8 months and it really helped with my mild depression/anxiety. But like others have mentioned I had a really hard time with low sex drive. I was also on the lowest dose possible. I recently decided to get off the meds because of the low sex drive. I've been off for 2 months now and have been eating better and exercising and the scale has not budged at all. It's very frustrating. I gained about 7-10 lbs in the past 8 months, I noticed my appetite increased while on the meds but still I exercised regularly. I truly believe it is due to the zoloft in my system. Still going to keep at it and hopefully I will start to see some progress. By the way this is the most I have weighed in my life (besides baby weight which came off quickly). I'm only 5'2" so 7-10 lbs is big on me.