Lexapro and weight loss

runfree78

Interesting - my GYN suggested to me that if I take Lexipro it would help to even out my moods (because of hormonal changes) and that most of his patients on it have lost the middle age weight gain while taking it. He explained it to me that it helps the brain to handle the stress that you are dealing with the brain doesn't send out that whatever it is that makes you hold on to weight in your mid-section. He told me I could go on and off of it with no problem (I'm taking a low dose) so I could start it about two weeks before my period and then stop it once I started and continue to do that each month, or I could just take it every day whatever worked better for me. I decided to stop it once I started because it made me feel a little sluggish and not my normal bouncy and active self. But it definitely helped with dealing with the stressers in my life. I should start it back again this week but the only thing I hate is that it does give me headaches when I first start, they get better after a few days. I took mine at night and would sleep hard so I couldn't imagine taking them in the day.

I would be interested to know what people who take Lexipro think of my drs. recommendations. I will say my appetite was not as big on the Lexipro so I wasn't eating as much, and I didn't want to drink on it. Normally I have a glass or two, sometimes three glass of wine, or a few beers 4 or 5 nights a week after work and taking the meds, the alcohol did not appeal to me at all.

I don't think I've taken it long enough to see one way or the other about weight gain or loss.

That's insane. SSRIs don't work like that. You'd think a DOCTOR would know that, but obgyn's don't seem to have one clue about drugs other than those relating to your female issues.

If you feel "better" within a few days, that is most likely a psychological effect and not the medication. Here's what their own literature states:

How long does it take for Lexapro® to work?

Sleep, energy, or appetite may show some improvement within the first 1-2 weeks. Improvement in these physical symptoms can be an important early signal that the medication is working. Depressed mood and lack of interest in activities may need up to 6-8 weeks to fully improve.


So you "may show" SOME improvement in the first 1-2 weeks. Then you go off it, and start all over again a week later???? There wouldn't be enough build up to be useful...

I worked for a LONG TIME as a counselor to people who are trying to come off of benzos and SSRI/SNRIs. I urge anyone who considers these drugs to do so VERY MINDFULLY and with adequate research and understanding of the pros and cons, and a very solid plan for growth through therapy as well as a blueprint for coming off the drugs after a therapeutic period of time.

bellaa_x0

i have been on lexapro for about 3 years now (20mg) and i actually lost 30lbs during my first 6 months of taking it - granted this was not some miraculous weight loss as i was exercising and trying to shed the pounds. lexapro has been pretty weight-neutral for me.. given that i was diagnosed with PCOS i'm attributing my weight issue over the past year, year and a half, to that, not my use of lexapro.

crystalpistolwistol

I would just like to tell you my story with lexapro. I have been off it now for a month and I am still suffering terrible withdrawals. I was prescribed 10mg after seeing someone once about my issues. Now I look back it seems a bit ridiculous. Anyway they upped the dosage to 20mg and it definitely did work. But what I didn't notice were the side effects I was having. Well I did notice but didn't put the pieces together. My side effects were chronic sinusitis which led to chronic fatigue, increased appetite which led to me gaining 15kg and a complete lack of care for anything which isn't good for anyone.

I would also like to add that I used to be a drug addict and the withdrawals from lexapro have been far worse than any drug I've ever taken. There is no magic pill to fix anything it is merely a mask but the side effects are worse than the original issue. Plus when you're ready it is so hard to get off them and a battle that does not have to be fought.

Every one is different but that is my experience and thoughts after being on lexapro for a year. I regret it more than anything and I have made some terrible choice in life. I hope you will consider an alternative as I wouldn't want anyone to go through what I am right now.

Wildflower0106

I had horrible side effects the worst being that it made my depression and anxiety WORSE not better. I also had problems with mood swings and extreme fatigue. Basically it made me bat *kitten* crazy lol. Coming off the lexapro was horrible. I was physically ill and in bed for a week, I also had uncontrolable panic attacks. Weight gain was minimal but I was so sick I barely ate. Effexor and wellbutrin caused bad side effects also.

Since I was having so much trouble with meds I decided get to the root of the problem and I went to a counselor. It took a lot of work but I have been off meds completely for two years and I have been doing very well. Lexapro, effexor, and the like were just temporary fix for some deep issues. Looking back I think I wanted meds to work so that I didn't actually have to face the real issue.

SailorSarah311

I was prescribed Lexapro a few years back, and it made me gain weight. I probably packed on around 25 pounds. I expressed my concern with the doctor, but he wouldn't do anything about it. Said that I should exercise more. Um hello!! I didn't weigh this much before the medicine. I'm still trying to lose all that weight.

jchrisman717

I'm so glad I didn't stay on it for long. I thought it was weird my dr told me I could go off and on because I always heard the opposite. But I thought maybe because it was such a low dose. I think dr's are too quick to prescribe those types of meds and they don't think about the side effects it has on some people. I was just so desparte to lose weight that I was reaching for anything to make me lose - but couldn't handle the piercing headaches.

Hildy_J

I thought it was weird my dr told me I could go off and on because I always heard the opposite.

It's just not safe. Your gyny doctor should know better than to discuss medical issues which are outside of his speciality, let alone prescribe!

shaedreams

I have been on Lexapro for 4 years 10 milligrams and although I agree that I haven't gained an extreme amount of weight, it's definitely harder to lose. Please message me if you would like some ideas though.

Rjpop

I took Lexapro for just over two weeks and lost 10 pounds...I started to ween myself off and my Doc said to just stop it! I had taken it years before with no side effects but this time was terrible. Rapid weight loss, headaches, dizzy, always tired and I had no appetite. I've been off it for one day and still lost one pound overnight. Always had a slight weight problem (about 15 - 20 pounds heavy) but losing weight this quickly is scary and unhealthy. Anyone else experience this type of weight loss?

Bharrell414

I took Lexapro years ago and struggled with a few of the side effects, one being increased headaches. I recently started taking them again and now I'm dealing with different side effects. I have actually lost all sense of an appetite to the point that I either forget to eat or don't feel like it. I'm not sure if this is just my body adjusting to the new meds. Has this happened to anyone?

gouwensd

I just started taking lexapro about a week ago and I've actually lost a lot of weight, I was on it a year ago also and I lost weight then too. I guess it all depends on the person taking it.

rebeccatoberholtzer

I took 5mg Lexapro for almost 3 years. I gained at least 25 lbs. I work out 5 days a week and watch what I eat. I am a runner, but nothing will seem to work for losing the weight. I am now switching to 10mg prozac to see if I can get back to my normal weight. Wish me luck!

rouse3883

Any luck with the new precription for prozac?? I've been on Lexapro (10 mg) for the past 6 months. I've gained 17 lbs so far and I can't seem to get it off. I'm excerising and eating better but nothing...My doctor just told me to adjust my eating habits which I have but this stinks. I'd like to try something else, but the Lexapro makes me feel normal. Too bad I don't look like my normal self.

Agnes_084

I was taking 10mg Lexapro for about 3 months and gained weight. My diet nor my activity level hadn't changed, but I kept gaining weight. It makes me sick it's so frustrating. I went from 130-135 to 155 (I am 5'6''). NONE of my clothes fit anymore!

My doctor prescribed Wellbutrin along with an increase in dosage of the Lexapro to try to help me stop gaining and hopefully lose some but I decided I don't want to risk it so I weened off the Lexapro by taking half the 10mg pill (5 mg) for about a week. I haven't experienced any side effects from weening off it at all. I started taking the Wellbutrin though.

It's only been less than a week being off it and I hope I will eventually start losing this weight. Everyone out there who has gained weight from Lexapro- you are not alone!

oxaloacetate

I started Lexapro in 2009 at 2.5mg. I was on 20mg for the past 3-3.5 years. During this time Wellbutrin and Topamax were introduced. Now I'm off Topamax, and just on the Wellbutrin (I just finished weaning off Lexapro. Here's hoping I don't have heavy withdrawal).

I would say I gained 60lbs while on Lexapro. Once I hit ~210 I freaked out and started eating better. I got down to 200. So I would say in total I've gained 50 lbs while on it. Before I started I was 145-150; I went up to ~210. I'm now at 196, at 5'6".

sionnach722

I just started taking Lexapro 3 weeks ago at 5mg. My first week and a half was spent constantly feeling so tired toward the middle of the day I could hardly think about anything but sleep. After that though, the fatigue wore off and everything seems to be going fine and side-effect-free. The only strange thing I've noticed for me personally is my all day long lack of appetite. Every so often I'll get an intense sense of hunger that lasts about a minute or so, and then the rest of the day I don't even think about food - so much so that I keep forgetting to eat other than a snack, maybe two, throughout the day due to boredom eating. I've never been the type to even come close to forgetting about food, so I'm starting to think it's less of a "I'm eating less because I'm less depressed" and more of a medication side effect. It's only been 3 weeks so I'm not sure about weight loss effects, but not eating all day is bound to cause unhealthy weight loss, but weight loss nonetheless.

mzfernand0

I take Lexapro 5mg and have been for the last 6months for postpartum anxiety. I have gained 10lbs on my little 5ft frame. It seems like no matter what i try the weight just keeps creepin up I'm starting Herbalife hoping that will help some. Anyone with luk on Herbalife?

jchrisman717

I take Lexapro 5mg and have been for the last 6months for postpartum anxiety. I have gained 10lbs on my little 5ft frame. It seems like no matter what i try the weight just keeps creepin up I'm starting Herbalife hoping that will help some. Anyone with luk on Herbalife?

I personally did not like herbalife. I tried it for my sister who was thinking of selling it. It tasted awful and I got more protein out of making a whey protein shake. I love my protein shakes and have one just about every morning but could not get myself to drink the herbalife ones. Even with the personalized protein powder I think I was still only getting like 8 grams of protein. If you want to to protein shakes as a meal replacement you might just try buying protein powder and looking up some recipies. I use Jay Robb Whey Protein. I would figure out what you calories a day should be to lose at a healthy rate and set your goals in MFP for that. Give it a good month to see to see results before you decide its now working. The fact your postpartum could also mean you need to give your body some time for the hormone levels to settle down.

mzfernand0

I take Lexapro 5mg and have been for the last 6months for postpartum anxiety. I have gained 10lbs on my little 5ft frame. It seems like no matter what i try the weight just keeps creepin up I'm starting Herbalife hoping that will help some. Anyone with luk on Herbalife?

I personally did not like herbalife. I tried it for my sister who was thinking of selling it. It tasted awful and I got more protein out of making a whey protein shake. I love my protein shakes and have one just about every morning but could not get myself to drink the herbalife ones. Even with the personalized protein powder I think I was still only getting like 8 grams of protein. If you want to to protein shakes as a meal replacement you might just try buying protein powder and looking up some recipies. I use Jay Robb Whey Protein. I would figure out what you calories a day should be to lose at a healthy rate and set your goals in MFP for that. Give it a good month to see to see results before you decide its now working. The fact your postpartum could also mean you need to give your body some time for the hormone levels to settle down.

Thanks for the response. I guess I'm just frustrted because at 8mths postpartum with my 1st I was back to my normal weight. I heard that some whey protein shakes should be avoided when on SSRIs due to l-trytophan?

jchrisman717

Hmm sorry I have never heard that about SSR and Whey -- but I also was not on Lexipro very long so it may be something you would want to research or ask your doctor about. Things do change with your body as you having babies and mature so maybe what used to work won't be as effective now - you may just need to change things up until you see what does work. Good luck!

loveabulldesign

Okay... I feel like I have to chime in here, because it seems like there's a lot of incomplete information, people just starting Lex, people who didn't experience a change, people who gained a bit but overlooked it-

I am a super active, athletic person- I eat well, and I've always had washboard abs, even if my butt got a little chunky. I spent most of my adult life at 134 lbs max.

I've been on Lexapro for almost a year, and AT FIRST- it does give you more energy, makes you almost hyperactive, and you lose a little weight. THEN, you slowly, slowly, slowly start to change. If you search a little more on the internet, you will see the same thing, over and over again, people who never typically carried weight around their abdomens suddenly had fat stomachs and love handles.

In a little under a year, I have gained 25 lbs. This is unheard of for me. I eat well, I exercise (I'm talking running, rock climbing, horseback riding, elliptical, weights, crossfit, you name it- I can do it). And I gained it all around my midsection. It's embarrassing and to claim this isn't from the medication is preposterous. My PCP also claimed that the weight gain would be 'about 5 lbs' and laughed away other people's reports that they had gained 20lbs, attributing it to their own laziness or increased appetite. I felt the same way, thinking that surely, anyone who exercised as much as I did wouldn't gain weight. Well, I did, and how. It's to the point where I either have to buy all new pants, or get off the medication to get my life back. I'm currently in the process of weaning off of the medication. I notice not many people come back to report how quickly they lost weight after discontinuing their SSRI, or how much they lost, but I'll try to be one of those people, if anyone is interested. Good luck!

mzfernand0

Okay... I feel like I have to chime in here, because it seems like there's a lot of incomplete information, people just starting Lex, people who didn't experience a change, people who gained a bit but overlooked it-

I am a super active, athletic person- I eat well, and I've always had washboard abs, even if my butt got a little chunky. I spent most of my adult life at 134 lbs max.

I've been on Lexapro for almost a year, and AT FIRST- it does give you more energy, makes you almost hyperactive, and you lose a little weight. THEN, you slowly, slowly, slowly start to change. If you search a little more on the internet, you will see the same thing, over and over again, people who never typically carried weight around their abdomens suddenly had fat stomachs and love handles.

In a little under a year, I have gained 25 lbs. This is unheard of for me. I eat well, I exercise (I'm talking running, rock climbing, horseback riding, elliptical, weights, crossfit, you name it- I can do it). And I gained it all around my midsection. It's embarrassing and to claim this isn't from the medication is preposterous. My PCP also claimed that the weight gain would be 'about 5 lbs' and laughed away other people's reports that they had gained 20lbs, attributing it to their own laziness or increased appetite. I felt the same way, thinking that surely, anyone who exercised as much as I did wouldn't gain weight. Well, I did, and how. It's to the point where I either have to buy all new pants, or get off the medication to get my life back. I'm currently in the process of weaning off of the medication. I notice not many people come back to report how quickly they lost weight after discontinuing their SSRI, or how much they lost, but I'll try to be one of those people, if anyone is interested. Good luck!

My doc told me that there was no way my weight gain was from the Lexapro. Which I found hard to believe, considering nothing has changed except my weight! Its really upsetting that now that I feel back to normal Im getting bummed about this extra weight.

erinmcgloin

i just started bumped up my lexapro from 10 to 20mg, did you find upping your does cause weight gain? im afraid of this! haha

jeffininer

Oh great. This thread is not making me feel very good. I was just prescribed 10mg Lexapro for long term depression and anxiety. Now I'm concerned all my hard work over the past 2 months will be wiped out. Here's hoping I can stick with my path and keep my goal in mind, even with changes.

ReadyToBeMeAt160

I started taking lexapro in January 2014. I usually yo-yo some so its hard to separate what is related to the lexapro and what is just "natural" fluctuation for me BUT i have found i've lost a lot of motivation to exercise.

I think this is because exercise (Especially running) was an outlet for me. Being active stopped me from being so depressed. It was also something i felt like i had control over. So in a way, i was "self-medicating" with exercise.

For example, it use to be that if i didn't go to the gym after work and went home and vegged out i'd feel worthless and start drifting down into this pit. Now i don't feel that way if i relax after work so i don't feel as pressed to go to the gym.

Now i'm a lot happier, less anxious about getting depressed and i don't feel as much push to spend 4-6 days in the gym.

so, that's both good and bad i guess?

loveabulldesign

Here's the thing. If you do a little bit of searching, you will find that the KIND of weight gain is a giveaway that the medication is causing it. Many doctors recommend Lexapro because it's supposed to be 'weight-neutral' or at the very worst, make you gain 5 pounds. However, the recurring theme I've noticed for people who say they feel that Lexapro has caused them to gain weight is that the weight comes on rapidly, doesn't respond to exercise and diet, and gathers around the midsection. The common phrase is that you "look pregnant." Now- I've always been someone who gains weight around the thighs and butt, while keeping a flat midsection. However- since starting Lexapro, I got a nice ol' spare tire. Then everything just ballooned, but the midsection is the worst. I was on 10mg, then 20, but the weight gain was consistent through both doses. After gaining 25 lbs in 11 months, I decided to start weaning off. However, my symptoms of anxiety returned, so my doctor prescribed Viibryd.

Viibryd is supposed to be similar to Lexapro but genuinely have fewer side effects.

I just started it 3 days ago and am off of the Lexapro completely. I find that the Viibryd has a much better effect overall- anxiety is gone, but I don't feel like I'm in a zombie haze, which the Lex started to make me experience. Lexapro seems to sort of dampen everything, but ultimately wasn't working that well for my anxiety or making me feel particularly good- just fat and numb.

Everyone is different, but I've had no negative side effects from the Viibryd except for mild stomach upset if I don't take it with food. Quite negligible in the scheme of things.

Now, to the point: Why do I think it was Lexapro causing my weight gain?
1. I am a very, very active person. Even as heavy as I am now (159 lbs, up from 134 in Feb 2013) I can easily run 7 miles at a 5 or 6 mph pace. I rock climb, I horseback ride competitively. I do something cardio or strength every single day, with one rest day. I am constantly under my calorie requirement (by exercise deficit, not insufficient intake) and the food that I do eat is healthy. I rarely snack and I never eat junk food.
2. 25 lbs in a year is UNHEARD of for me. Especially considering #1
3. The fact that the weight has gathered around the midsection
4. The fact that my bra size went up two cup sizes, but the strap size has remained the same; there is something in the medication that synthesizes the glandular increase that pregnancy induces, etc. Something about Lexapro made me puffy overall.

After three days of not being on Lexapro, the constant feeling of bloating and puffiness has gone away and my energy level is up (but not like the intial hyperactivity I had while getting used to Lexapro). I am giving Viibryd a week and if I weigh more or the same at the end of that week, I am going to find another medication because I suspect it's simply my personal reaction to the SSRI function. Some people report LOSING weight on both Lexapro and Viibryd, so this is all individual, but no one should let their doctor tell them that 'It's not the medication.' and suggest that we are just being lazy or unhealthy. Here's an idea of the weekly activities I have been engaging in for the past week, and will be engaging in for the next week. Keep in mind that rock climbing, bouldering in particular, burns about 500-700 calories an hour. It's a very intense activity. I'm doing more of it this month in preparation for a climbing trip in April.

Sunday: Equine Massage (100 cal/hour) x 4 hours
Horseback Riding (trotting, cantering, jumping) (250 cal/hour) x 1 hour
Nike Fit workout (264 cal/hour) x .5 hours

Monday: Running @ 6 mph (350 cal/hour) x 1 hour
Bouldering (500 cal/hour) x 1.5 hours

Tuesday: Horseback Riding (250 cal/hour) x 1 hour

Wednesday: Bouldering (500 cal/hour) x 2 hours
Running @ 6mph (350 cal/hour) x .5 hours

Thursday: Horseback Riding (250 cal/hour) x 1 hour
Nike Fit workout (264 cal/hour) x .5 hours

Friday: Bouldering (500 cal/hour) x 2 hours

Saturday: Running @ 5 mph (300 cal/hour) for 1 hour (approx 4-5 miles)
Horseback Riding (250 cal/hour) x .5 hours
Equine massage (100 cal/hour) x 3 hours


So you get the idea. I also didn't list random things like pullups, a few scattered weight exercises, etc. Could I possibly exercise more? Sure- if I quit my job and gave up sleeping. It's not me. It's the medication.

As far as losing motivation to exercise... Lexapro did do that to me a bit- I had to force myself to do my activities and not as many of them got done, but so far with the Viibryd I feel positive and energized and it's much easier and more fun to do my exercise. If I don't lose any weight this week, I will know I can't take SSRIs because frankly, it's very uncomfortable having gained this much weight in this particular way. It's just not me.

jaybeefh

Hi! I just started taking it and i am so scared to gain weight. I am very active to and eat well. Have you got off the lexapro? Have you lost the weight?

loveabulldesign

I've only been off of the Lexapro for four days, and on a different SSRI so I won't know for about a week what the result of all this exercise will be. Some people don't gain much weight on Lexapro, but for those that do- diet and exercise do not matter. I hate to say it. I didn't eat more or worse or exercise any less. I gained weight no matter what I did, and I gained it steadily.

I will say that even having only been off for four days, I feel significantly less bloated, which is helping already. I'm tracking my weight very carefully and if it goes up at all, I'm off of all SSRI's. I'll keep you guys posted. I'm training intensely for a climbing trip so my exercise regimen is going to be intense- so intense that if I don't see any difference at all, I will know all SSRI's do this to me. But if I DO see a difference, I'll know it was just the Lexapro.

Will definitely be updating.

loveabulldesign

So far, after a week off of Lexapro, down a little over 3 lbs. Running, climbing and riding and carefully tracking calories. Thankfully, not that hungry on the Viibryd like I was on Lex. And my muscles recover much faster after exercise. I feel like I was always sore on Lexapro. At this rate, I should lose another 7 pounds or so in the next two weeks. Hoping to see a continued gradual loss and not plateau. So far, so good.

oxaloacetate

So, it's been about two and a half months since I've stopped Lexapro. I've been better about calorie counting, and exercising (not as much as I should though!), and I've lost 10 lbs. This is with stretches of not counting calories for 5 days or so, in between a streak of 6-8 days. Contrast that with when I was trying to loose weight while on Lexapro. I had to count every single calorie, every single day in order to loose 10 lbs. However, I am still on Wellbutrin, which gives me more energy and I move around some more, but the majority of the weight is still there. (I was also on Wellbutrin while on Lexapro, so I think my body is still trying to sort itself out).

And like others have said, I gained the majority of the weight around my mid-section/chest, and some in my face. Now, I appear a bit thinner, but I still have the big belly pooch, and my chest is still rather large (it was before I gained weight, but I increased several cup sizes and two band sizes while on Lexapro). I'm back down to my pre-Lexapro band size, but my cups are still rather large. I'll try and update every so often like loveabulldesi.