Lexapro weight gain, now on welbutrin?

im2lexi4myshirt
im2lexi4myshirt Posts: 23
in Health and Weight Loss
I am 18, 5'7, and used to weigh 135 lbs. I was happy with my weight. I was diagnosed with depression at 17 and was put on lexapro. In just 3 months, I went from 135 to 155 and I now have stretch marks beyond belief. I have always eaten in my calories, exercised, and watched what I ate. I was surprised at the weight gain and asked my doctor for a swap. He gave me welbutrin. Since then, I have been able to get down to 146 but I'm plateauing and can't seem to get rid of anymore. I want to get back down to 135. Any thoughts or experiences with welbutrin/lexapro? Thanks!

Replies

  • randomperson2097
    randomperson2097 Posts: 5
    I used to take Welbutrin too, but I don't remember any vast amounts of weight gain.

    I'm curious, though, does it help with your depression? I stopped taking it years ago.
  • dogo187
    dogo187 Posts: 376
    Ive been on Wellburtin for a few years and Im sure that its helped me to lose weight, and keep it off...

    Taking a new mediation can some time to have the full benefits, give it a few months...
  • Jasminegaladriel
    Jasminegaladriel Posts: 1
    Unfortunately every time I've been on Lexapro I gained a significant amount of weight. The first time I blew up about 45 pounds. I doubt many people have had such an extreme reaction but it's happened three times in ten years and i don't notice any other differences in my life to connect to the weight gain other than the Lexapro.

    Wellbutrin actually seemed to help me lose weight and it didn't seem to have any unpleasant effects, however it didn't work very well for me as an antidepressant and not a bit for anxiety. I'm now back on Lexapro and much happier, though I'm noticing my weight start to creep up again. I'm going to have to be pretty strict before it gets out of control.
  • dobryden
    dobryden Posts: 1
    I took Lexapro (for anxiety, not depression) from June 2012 to December 2013... and during that time I gained about 25 pounds. I decided enough was enough when I hit 151 pounds (I am only 5'2"). I didn't really eat any different, but I craved carbs all the time while on lexapro. Who gets out of bed to eat cereal at 1am? Uh, me, and my brain while on lexapro. Now that I'm on different medication all those crazy cravings are gone.

    I had my meds switched in December, and now I take fluvoxamine (Luvox). I actually like it a lot better, not just for the weight loss department (I immediately felt *lighter*, which was really strange to me) but also in the anxiety department as well.

    When I realized I had gained so much weight (it really does sneak up on you) I tried to make changes in my diet and eat less, but my weight didn't move at all. I found it really hard to say no to cravings, at the time, so that probably didn't help. Maybe it was just the placebo effect of changing meds to something that would (hopefully) make less of an impact on my weight, but after I changed medication it was much easier to lose weight and stay motivated.

    I now weigh 131 pounds. 130 is my current goal, and if I feel up to it I would like to see if I can get back down to about 125.
  • K_Train450
    K_Train450 Posts: 122 Member
    Been on Wellbutrin xl 300mg for a year or so and if anything I always tend to lose weight on it because of increased motivation + energy.
  • klkateri
    klkateri Posts: 432 Member
    I gained almost 100 when I was on vicidian. Horrible. Wasn't even in the side effects but I did.

    Now, My FIL lost almost 75 on Lexapro.

    I think it all depends on how you take the medicine and how your body processes it.

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