citalopram anti depressants

Many people are not aware that weight gain is one of the most common side effects associated with many antidepressants prescribed today. In fact, medications such as Fluoxetine (Prozac®) and Buproprion HCL (Wellbutrin®) have actually been marketed for obesity treatment.

Antidepressants can affect weight in several ways:
• They may increase or decrease basal metabolic rate without changing caloric intake.
• They may affect hormonal changes and increase appetite.

Unexpected weight gain can increase the difficulties associated with psychiatric and seizure disorders by further aggravating mood instability and low self-esteem.

The following paragraphs contain brief descriptions of several classes of psychotropic and seizure disorder medications.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

SSRIs comprise one of the major classes of antidepressants currently being prescribed by primary care physicians. At first, SSRIs were thought to be associated with weight loss and reduced appetite. For a while, they were even marketed as anti-obesity drugs. It is now known that long-term use of SSRIs is associated with weight gain.

The reason that SSRIs contribute to weight gain is not known. Although it was a widely held belief that drugs that increase serotonin output also decrease hunger, this does not seem to be the case. Patients using SSRIs often report symptoms of hypoglycemia (weakness, dizziness, frequent hunger, and headaches) when they do not eat. Symptoms of hypoglycemia may indicate hyperinsulinemia (elevation of insulin in the blood).

The five most common SSRIs currently prescribed in the United States today are as follows:
•Citalopram (Celexa®)
•Fluoxetine (Prozac®)
•Fluvoxamine (Luvox®)
•Paroxetine (Paxil®)
•Sertraline (Zoloft®)

Paroxetine (Paxil®) appears to have the most significant impact on weight gain of all of the SSRIs. Studies show that patients using Paxil experience an increase in breast size as well as weight gain and increased serum prolactin. One case report linked cravings for carbohydrates with Citalopram (Celexa®) while other studies showed an average weight gain over time of 15-20 pounds with Sertraline (Zoloft), Fluoxetine (Prozac®), and Citalopram (Celexa®).

However, SSRIs cause less weight gain, fewer anticholinergic symptoms, and less toxic adverse effects than tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). These findings have led to the increase in SSRI prescriptions by psychiatrists and primary care providers. Primary care providers are not likely to be familiar with the difference between the various SSRIs relative to their possible weight gain side effects.

Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)

TCAs were the most commonly prescribed antidepressants before SSRIs became widely available. Tricyclic antidepressants are often used to treat sleep disorders and to help patients manage pain. Most physicians are aware that TCAs can contribute significantly to weight gain.

Weight gain and other side effects vary from one TCA to another as well as from one patient to another. Many drugs in this class induce slowing of the metabolism and carbohydrate cravings. Factors more clearly understood involve histamine and alpha 1 receptor blocking actions. Appetite stimulation and weight gain make it extremely difficult for the diabetic using a TCA to control blood sugar.

TCAs include the following:
•Amitriptyline (Elavil®)
•Amoxapine (Asendin®)
•Clomipramine (Anafranil®)
•Desipramine (Norepramine®, Pertofrane®)
•Doxepin (Adapin®, Sinequan®)
•Imipramine (Janimine®, Tofranil®)
•Nortriptyline (Aventyl®, Pamelor®)
•Protriptyline (Vivactil®)
•Trimipramine (Rhotramine®, Surmontil®)

Weight gain with TCAs is dose dependent and relative to the length of therapy.

The greatest weight gain among TCA patients has been observed with those using either amitriptyline (Elavil®) or imipramine (Janimine®, Tofranil ®).


This is taken from a nutritional website if thi offers any better information for you guys.

L.x

Ive seen bits about CBT befor but never really read up on it . ill have a google thanks xxx

It depends on the way you think as to what the best therapy is. I'm an (ex-)scientist, so I have a very logical way of thinking, and I dont respond well to the talking therapies. The counselling helped me find out what was bothering me, but then all we were doing was talking about it endlessly, and that didn't help me. The CBT looked at my negative thoughts, and my insecurities, and set about disproving them - and my brain can't argue with a disproven idea!

Thanks hun.x
Whats your views on Hypnosis?

I've never tried it sorry. I can see it would work if it's a habit you're trying to break (like maybe compulsive eating), but I'm not sure if it would help with the underlying emotional causes. I don't know though, it's not something I've looked at before.

I've been on citalopram in the past. As everybody reacts differently I did not really gain weight with it - at least not more than with just "depressive" eating . It seems to be a popular choice of prescription. After about a year though I felt it did not really do the job anymore. I changed over to Bupropion, which I had in Germany before due to my ADHD as well. Bupropion has the nice side effect that its easy to stop smoking on it as well (it is prescribed also as Zyban to quit smoking). One of the side effects can be weight loss. At least there are no reports of weight gain on this Antidepressant. Maybe you should talk with your doctor about your options?

.....Im seeing her tomorro and will discuss my weight gain, i do believe it has alot to do with my meds as my habits havent really changed. ive never taken anti depressants in the past always fllushed them

I've been on the same medication for a couple of years and it's the only one that doesn't have alot of side effects. Prozac is another one that doesn't cause weight gain. I joined WW's about 3 years ago and found they have it down. Teaching real nutrition. Have you thought of that?