Citralopram

lottycat · July 2011

Hello,

A friend of mine is finding weight loss very difficult, despite being very small framed and tiny her whole life. She started taking Citralopram about 3 years ago and has put on weight since then and is finding it very hard to shift. I hope she doesn't mind me asking this, but is anyone else taking this medication that can offer some advice that I can pass on to her. Or, even better are there any success stories or tips I can share with her?

I know this is really getting her down and I'd like to be able to help. She is coming off the medication at the moment, but it will take time. Has anyone else come off it? And if so, how long did it take to start loosing weight after that?

Any advice would be very welcome.

Thanks in adance

Kirsty_UK · July 2011

I was on it for a while (by the way it's Citalopram), and I did put on weight, but I was on it because I had depression, which generally is associated with comfort eating - or was in my case!

I'd suggest she do a google search for citalopram + weight loss or + weight gain and see what comes up. There is lots of information on various forums about it.

good luck!

kmtetour · July 2011

I'm on this, too. I've gained weight since I've been on it, but there are 100 different things that could have caused it. I've been on it for about 5 years now, and I know I couldn't function without it. That said, I have lost 54 pounds since November. Losing weight is not easy, and every day I struggle with it, but I'm proud of myself for the changes I've made.

LilChickPea · July 2011

I have been on celexa for over 4 years. It is the only anti-depressant that hasn't put weight on me. Of course, medications affect everyone differently. I was diagnosed bipolar 4 years ago and all the medications my doc put me on caused me to gain over 100 pounds. Being on meds and trying to lose weight is hard, but not impossible. It just may take a little longer. Since she is coming off the celexa, it has a short half life, so it will not be long that she should be able to lose weight a little easier. I wish her luck. I know how hard it can be.

mariahkayy09 · July 2011

Citralopram is a generic form of Celexa. I was recent put on medication, and at first i was on Citralopram, but my doctor told me that is will cause weight gain, there was nothing that i could do about it, basically it a side effect that isn't avoidable. I'm not sure if it was just towards me,because of my difficulty with weight for years, but I was switched to Lexapro, which is pretty much identical to Celexa, just without the weight gain. I also had severe nausea from Citralopram which i don't get from Lexapro. Maybe talk to her about a switch of medication if it's at all possible, it might be a start?

lottycat · July 2011

Thanks so much for the help so far guys. And oops on the incorrect spelling

Hopefully this will giver her some encouragement.

xxx

mowu · July 2011

Antidepressants such as Citalopram are (SSRI inhibitors) are known to have side effects that may cause weight gain or difficulty to lose weight if so desired (it's probably mentioned on the label or the flyer in the package).

I would say that she should go see her physician to see if he can help her and maybe have him check up on her metabolism to see if there is something she should be especially diligent about in her diet.

diverchic73 · July 2011

Hi, I'm on it and have been for years... I also don't see myself ever going off it as the difference is like living in black and white and then switching to color!

I don't know if it contributed to my weight gain or not but I do know that not exercising enough, comfort eating and quitting smoking have probably piled on more pounds than citalopram.

Also, I may not lose all the weight and get to what I weighed before I started taking it but I know that I will be fitter and in better shape than I was then and that is the most important thing. Also, even on it, I notice that I am more upbeat when I exercise regularly than when I don't.

Good luck to your friend - I hope that they find a good balance of what works for them.

PorcelainPirate · July 2011

I've been on a different SSRI (Fluoxetine) for about 5 years. The main difference I've found weight-wise is that I've gone from having a very, very fast metabolism to a more average one.
It's hard when I'm in a 'bad' spell and end up comfort/boredom eating (I'm actually with MFP now to get back on track after a long 'bad spell'), but the difference the meds make in my ability to function is worth having to make slightly better choices in my diet. In fact, being happier makes it easier to eat better food, as I'm not comfort eating so much.

As far as practical advice goes, SSRI's DO change your metabolism, and depending on how it was to start with, some people have a harder time than others. But the meds also make it easier to change habits and be more positive about new things, so maybe it'll just take a few cooking lessons/recipe books for ideas/taking up a sport she enjoys to modify her lifestyle so she doesn't gain as much.
For me, it was discovering food blogs and getting excited about cooking that took me in a more positive, health-oriented direction. I especially love the Kitchn, and it might be a good starting place if she has any interest in food.

I really hope things pick up for her soon

coolsmartygirl · July 2011

I have been on it since January of this year and was on it from Fall 2009- Fall 2010. I gained the weight I currently have on came between the period of April-June 2010. I chalk it up to emotional eating from my boyfriend being away for two months and the fact that my metabolism died down.
I think if she is struggling to try and mix up her routine. If she works out x amount of time, maybe try more exercise or different exercises. Try re-examining what she is eating, etc.

Citralopram

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