We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Lexapro...Weight Loss Stalls..Anyone??

Allup2Me78
Allup2Me78 Posts: 589 Member
edited February 27 in Health and Weight Loss
Has anyone experienced this? I am starting to think that Lexapro has a lot to do with my stalls and slow progress on my weight loss journey. I have been on it since Nov 2012 for anxiety, depression & panic attacks. My dosage was upped in Jan 2013 and it seems since then that I am not able to lose like before. It really helps a lot with my panic attacks so I would really like to stay on it but I need to lose weight for other health related reasons. I have been on others in the past and they just stop working over time so that is why my Dr. was trying to give Lexapro a try for me.

Replies

  • oedipa_maas
    oedipa_maas Posts: 577 Member
    The side effects of meds like that can be tough. I'm on a ton of them, including Lexapro. I have been able to lose weight, so for me Lexapro hasn't been stalling since I was put on it a few years ago, but Lexapro can cause some people to gain weight. Here's my view of the issue, for what it's worth: If taking me off a med makes me unstable, it won't matter if I'm primed to lose weight, because I will start to fall apart and then it all goes out the window. However! There are a lot of meds out there, and my doctors have swapped things out for me when certain side effects have been really disruptive (e.g., I forget common words! etc.). I think the best thing to do is be really open with your doctor about your concern so they can talk it through with you and come up with a few options.

    Be careful seeking advice about medical stuff on MFP. We do the best we can but...brains need special care. Go straight to your doctor is ultimately the best you can do. And if they ignore your concerns, get another doctor.
  • nomeejerome
    nomeejerome Posts: 2,616 Member
    Many times when people find a medication that works for them, (they feel better) they eat more because their appetite has returned to full swing. (along with other symptom improvements) It is not impossible to lose weight on this medication, but it may be a slower go. (calorie deficit=weight loss and calorie surplus=weight gain) Set reasonable goals, be patient and continue working with your doctor on the proper dosages. (and congrats on finding a med that works for you)
  • Allup2Me78
    Allup2Me78 Posts: 589 Member
    Well she did mention lowering the dosage back down to what we started me on and I refused because the lower dosage wasn't helping. I am not even really sure if the problem is Lexapro but I have read and heard others say they gained and their weight stalled while on it so I wanted to see if anyone else on here had the same problems...Thanks for your reply :)
    The side effects of meds like that can be tough. I'm on a ton of them, including Lexapro. I have been able to lose weight, so for me Lexapro hasn't been stalling since I was put on it a few years ago, but Lexapro can cause some people to gain weight. Here's my view of the issue, for what it's worth: If taking me off a med makes me unstable, it won't matter if I'm primed to lose weight, because I will start to fall apart and then it all goes out the window. However! There are a lot of meds out there, and my doctors have swapped things out for me when certain side effects have been really disruptive (e.g., I forget common words! etc.). I think the best thing to do is be really open with your doctor about your concern so they can talk it through with you and come up with a few options.

    Be careful seeking advice about medical stuff on MFP. We do the best we can but...brains need special care. Go straight to your doctor is ultimately the best you can do. And if they ignore your concerns, get another doctor.
  • Allup2Me78
    Allup2Me78 Posts: 589 Member
    In my case, it has not made me eat anymore than I was before starting it to be honest. But I do feel I lose slower and stall more because of it. Not all because of it but I think it does play a role in why I don't lose as good as others.
    Many times when people find a medication that works for them, (they feel better) they eat more because their appetite has returned to full swing. (along with other symptom improvements) It is not impossible to lose weight on this medication, but it may be a slower go. (calorie deficit=weight loss and calorie surplus=weight gain) Set reasonable goals, be patient and continue working with your doctor on the proper dosages. (and congrats on finding a med that works for you)
This discussion has been closed.

Categories