Antidepressants and weight gain

Hi, I was on anti-depressants (Citalopram) for about 2 years and did gain some weight when I first started, however I think it was due to being depressed and eating more for comfort than the drugs, because as soon as I stopped feeling depressed I lost the weight. When I came off the anti-depressants about a year later, however, I lost some more weight, so the drugs themselves might have had some role to play too. In April I started taking medication again, including Lithium which is a mood stabiliser, and gained 2 and a half stone. I do think this is due to being very depressed and eating out of boredom and not having the motivation to exercise, but it could be due to the medication too. They say these drugs make you feel more hungry, rather than actually make you gain weight, so that could be part of it. However I do think that it is very typical to gain weight through depression, whether you are taking medication or not. Hope this helps! Good luck!!!

I don't use anti depressant prescription medication anymore, it didn't work.

When I started taking anti-depressants I was warned I might gain weight, but I've actually lost a little. I think it probably varies for everyone, but my doctor told me it was to do with water retention. I don't really have much to offer other than that, but I hope you figure it out, and wish you all the best for the future!

Oh okay. I'm on prozac.Yeah no I would never just stop them. And thanks!

Hmmmm...

Be careful on that stuff, I lost a mate to it as it takes away from the mind the one thing that stops people doing themselves harm.


Would nt worry too much about about what you eat or weight gain... ^ this is a greater problem.

I have been on antidepressants for 23 years. As much as I fought the idea and wanted to go off, it will never happen. I have a co-existing problem with my thyroid. As was said, never just take yourself off them. If you can't handle it, talk to your docotr and wean yourself off. You won't know the true effects of the meds for 4-6 weeks. Hang in there because I did lose weight while on them. Always ask your doctor and if you don't like what you hear try another doctor. There are also many different antidepressants that you can try. Trust me in all these years I've tried at least 5 and have been on this one for most of the years. Good luck.

when i first started prozac, i actually lost a bit of weight if i remember correctly. it tapers off. it hasn't affected my weight one way or another after that i think. at least not as much as my crappy food choices.

if it increases your appetite, you just gotta learn to fight the cravings, thats all. easier said, i know. but as everybody says, the side effects usually just even out.

prozac has actually been the only drug that had no side effects i think. i didnt even feel the regular effects of it.. and then i'll forget to take it for awhile and my ocd and mental state will go berserk and im like OH. YEAH. IT WAS HELPING. BETTER GET BACK ON THERE.

i love my fluoxetine. lifesaver.

My doctor put me on zoloft about a month ago to maintain my anxiety and so I could stop taking zannex because You body will grow immune to it where you need more and more to fight off the panic attacks. However, Since I have been on it I have lost weight. But it makes me sleep later which I hate. I take it in the morning. Its like as soon as I take it my body wakes up. Good luck and just give it a little time and if it keeps causing weight gain talk to your doc

I have been on cymbalta for a year and a half now ( which I believe is similar to Prozac) and although I actually lost a bit at first it actually took me over 6 weeks to get use to the new meds so give it some time. I have known a few people who have gained on other similar medications.

Lyrica caused tremendous weight gain for me. To the point that I went off of it. I don't think I was really eating more, either.

I am also on antidepressants and have been for about 8 years as a result of two breakdowns in a two-year period. My main issues are anxiety and major depression. I also gained a tremendous amount of weight, even though a male in my immediate family was on Zoloft and didn't gain an ounce. Our activity levels were miles apart - his were high and I didn't have any. My Dr. told me it all had to do with the degree of anxiety and depression along with how each individuals' brain and body chemistry react to certain pharmaceuticals.

I went through several combinations until I am now down to Wellbutrin XL, Celexa and Valium. I will never again have the personality I used to - very funny, trusting and outgoing, but this combination does help me maintain and does give allow some of my old humor to come out.

After 8 years of being extremely overweight (never been prior to that) and a lot of extensive research, I am about to undergo Gastric Sleeve surgery on February 5th. It is a 360 degree lifestyle change, but I have been unable to lose the weight through any other source (i.e., prescription Diet Pills, exercise). This is not the easy way out for me, in fact has been the hardest decision I've ever had to make. I strongly believe this will not only vastly improve my quality of life, but will give back some of the self-confidence and energy I used to have. It may also decrease or even eliminate some of the health issues I currently have.

I am on Zoloft and have had no side effects with weight gain, either from the pill or enjoying food more from being in a better mental state. Being on Anti- Depressants actually helps me lose weight because I am in a better mood and therefore am able to stay motivated longer and therefore not get derailed as easily. I would suggest just trying to stick to your calories as best you can and research filling foods that you can incorporate into your diet. I have also heard that brushing your teeth when you feel like needlessly eating help.

I am on Zoloft and have had no side effects with weight gain, either from the pill or enjoying food more from being in a better mental state. Being on Anti- Depressants actually helps me lose weight because I am in a better mood and therefore am able to stay motivated longer and therefore not get derailed as easily. I would suggest just trying to stick to your calories as best you can and research filling foods that you can incorporate into your diet. I have also heard that brushing your teeth when you feel like needlessly eating help.

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I am also on Zoloft and had no side effects except the ability to actually lose weight because I'm in a better mental state.

Due to high stress job, I was prescribed clonazapam for nerves, anxiety, and depression and put on weight even though working out daily. Discussed with scientist in pharmaceutical industry and he claimed weight wasn't directly related to drug itself; rather, adjustments our body made ie I wasn'tt as nervous, so tended to eat more at meals etc. I weaned myself off and have went to more natural relaxants such as nutmeg in green tea and weight has dropped while anxiety and nerves have stabilized