Anti-Anxiety/Anti-depressant cause weight gain/loss?

I think you wont know until you try. Try them out and see what happens. If you feel you are gaining weight while sticking with your diet and exercise, then go back to the doctor and talk about finding something else.

With that sort of med its very hard to judge what you, personally, will experience, same as it's hard to judge whether your anxiety will respond well to a particular med. All you can do is try it for a period of time, pay attention to both what it's supposed to do, and possible side effects, and go back to the doc if you notice anything concerning.

I've never taken Lexapro but know people who have. In my experience, anti-anxiety meds--Abilify and Risperidone are what I've taken--are the ones that made me gain the most weight (almost fifty pounds). All I could think about was food and I ate and ate and ate to the point where I was at risk for developing diabetes because my blood sugar was so high. I was also completely inactive so that wasn't exactly helping. As other people have said already, it really depends on you as an individual. Everybody reacts differently. I have struggled with anxiety and depression but found a combination of a mood-stabilizer (Lamictal) and anti-depressant (Wellbutrin) to work best and they don't affect my weight.

Talk to your psychiatrist if you're concerned. A lot of times psychiatrists have their go-to drugs that have worked for other patients but this may not be the right one for you.

*waves* How odd is it that this thread pops up just as I got back from the doctor eh?

Lexipro and I had no problems the first time around. If I remember right, I didn't really have an appetite which worked for me. ;D This time around, I'm on Citalopram which is "close" to Lexipro. I'm on this until Lexipro comes out with a generic (hopefully next month). I am guessing that my xanax won't do much in terms of weight gain/loss because I only take it as needed at this point. LOL I'm honestly more worried about my birth control pill making me gain weight. ;D

As people have said though, it's really all about how your body reacts to it. I'm lucky I've got a really cool doc who I can talk to very openly. I asked her about the weight thing and she said I shouldn't have a problem but if I do, we can look into adjusting as needed. She's the best!

I guess I can let ya know after a month if I gain or not. Cross fingers eh??

I gained sooo much weight on Lexapro. I became a cow!

I think you wont know until you try. Try them out and see what happens. If you feel you are gaining weight while sticking with your diet and exercise, then go back to the doctor and talk about finding something else.

I didn't read on for the other posts because NOTHING will make more sense than the one above.

EVERYONE is soooo different you can't compare. Just so you don't think i don't know what i'm talking about i have had depression/anxiety for the last 20+ yrs. I was on lexapro at one point, and i didn't gain weight but my depression didn't get better. I changed to loads of different ones that through my own fault maybe i didn't give a chance, then for nearly 2years i was on mirtazapine which woked sooo good and helped me sleep-which was a huge problem as i had crazy dreams, racing thought etc, etc, It stopped pannc attacks and that, so i didn't give a second thought to my expanding belly etc. Anyway, when the sun starting shining in April (UK), i walked to the shop one day in a t-shirt and jeans, caught sight of myself in the mirror and came home and cried!! The muffin-top was so nasty i took, for me, the worst way out and drank..then i woke up and decided to bloody well change it. I went to the DRS (who knows my depression well) and said. 'i have to change my medication, because this extra weight is disgusting and i don't even eat loads of junk food'........well he looked at me and i swear in his eyes he said 'about time!' he nodded and i gave him my suggestion of what i thought would work for me (the internet is a good/evil tool!!!) and as i was looking into quitiing smoking too i said i wanted zyban/wellbutrin, and i know there is no weight gain involved). Insomnia unfortunatley is a side effect (and for me as a nightmare sufferer/anxiety) stupid choice really, but i was all about the weight loss at the time, so after 3-4 weeks i went back for a check up, because you know what (if you, or anyone is still reading??!!!) i felt on top of the world, so i could deal with the extra hour or two it took to get to sleep ( I need instant-less time to think!) but i did have energy i didn't know what to do with, and smiled...alot!!
So,as of to today...i had (non-addictive) sleep help for 2 weeks. Got myself into a routine-because if i could change my eating habits I GOT DISIPLINE!!! I take a book to bed to get me dozy. My tummy can't stand any BS because mentally i know if i don''t eat that bi tof chocolate or chips i don't have to log the calories on MFP, so i feel good. I am a ****e liar so my exercise and food are just what i did-PROMISE!! xx

good luck and love to you all-- xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I've been on Lexapro for about 2 months now and have dropped about 10 pounds while on it. I am female. My weight loss has come from having motivation to get off my couch and live the active lifestyle I like to. Also, my social anxiety has dropped significantly so I'm not afraid of the gym and I can shop for my own groceries instead of relying on my bf who tends to buy junk food. I'm not more or less hungry at all.

I was on Zoloft and gained weight , but in saying that I wasn't eating well or excercising. I suggest trying it , eating realy healthy and natural, excerise and seek a good councillor to get to the cause of your problems. Because although your on med to make life normal again. The problems still there and something you should work on
wish you well