Anti-depressants - weight gain?

I started taking Paxil two years back for anxiety attacks and have been struggling with my weight since. I'm 39 years old and just recently switched to Zoloft in hopes of losing weight on it. I've put on 30 lbs (not necessarily from the meds), but I can't seem to get my weight to go down. I can exercise like I've done in the past and eat clean and the weight DOESN'T MOVE! It is really frustrating for me and was wondering if anyone had any insight on the subject? Can a person actually lose weight when taking anti-depressants? I sure would appreciate any feedback.

Mon. Apr 17, 1:04am

I just saw my Psychologist to check on my meds and he checked my weight too. It turns out, I've gained 28 lbs since starting my meds the last week in October. He said Paxil can have a side effect of weight gain in some people. He switched me to Wellbutrin, which has a side effect of weight loss. I'm still in the weening of Paxil period, so I can't tell you how the Wellbutrin works yet. I've heard good things about it though. I can honestly say I don't think the Paxil is completely to blame on my weight gain, but on the weeks/months where I was working out like mad, I remember still not losing weight...so I don't think it helped at all.

Monday, April 17, 2006, 7:58 AM

prozac helps curb your appetite, im on it, really helps with cravings

Monday, April 17, 2006, 8:16 AM

prozac has helped me as well. i'm not sure if it's curbing my appetite or regulating my emotions and making me eat less for emotional reasons, but so far, I've lost weight on prozac.

Monday, April 17, 2006, 8:58 AM

antidepressants/weight gain

I gained wait on zoloft, too. My understanding is that sometimes you can lose weight by taking a high enough dose to lift you totally out of the fog (your dose might be too low); or you might benefit by an activating antidepressant, i.e., Wellbutrin, added to zoloft, which is effective with anxiety. My doctor is going to try this combination at the end of the month.

Monday, April 17, 2006, 5:43 PM

I was on zoloft. I actually gained and lost. I'm almost 100% positive it was because of the depression though. I think sometimes we are too quick in blaming the medication. Most of the time, in my opinion, it’s the placebo effect. If you think it will make you gain weight you will. Just keep making healthy choices!

Monday, April 17, 2006, 7:44 PM

Thanks everyone for your feedback!

Monday, April 17, 2006, 9:11 PM

I'm not sure if this is due to a placebo affect. When I started prozac, I was certain I was going to gain weight, but I went ahead and took it because I knew I needed to. At any rate, I do agree that we often use medication as an excuse for gaining weight, etc.

Tuesday, April 18, 2006, 9:48 AM

I gained 20 pounds on zoloft. And trust me, it was completely due to the zoloft. I did not eat more while on it. I know this because I have always logged my food in a notebook, and I wasn't eating more on zoloft. The frustrating part is that I can't lose the weight! I stopped taking zoloft 4 months ago and the 20 pounds is not budging! I'm not trying to make excuses...the zoloft really did cause the weight gain. I just hope the weight will eventually come off!

Thursday, August 27, 2009, 9:26 PM

solution

All of these types of meds have the potential for weight gain. SSRI since your appetite is controlled by neurotransmitters it's easy to gain weight while on these meds. There are SNRI as well which work it norephinephrine like the new one Prisique and Effexsor as well. I think it changes the way your body metabolises food and your taste bud response as well so I would be really patient with yourself if you are trying to lose weight on or coming off an antidepressant.

Saturday, August 29, 2009, 11:27 PM

Years ago I went on Prozac and gained 40 lbs.!! My OB-GYN said patients average a gain of 30 lbs. on Prozac. (The prescribing doctor didn't tell me that.) It's now years later and I am on Wellbutrin (actually, the generic: Bupropion) and I've lost 68 lbs. - all the weight I wanted to lose. :) I tend to self medicate with food so I'm sure part of my weight gain was caused by the depression, but I do believe Prozac increased my "obsessive/compulsive" behaviors, thus compulsively over eating. Likewise, I worked hard to lose my weight, but do feel that Bupropion (Wellbutrin) made a huge difference and helped me get there. Plus, it's the best I've felt in 10 years after trying Prozac, then Effexor, and now Bupropion. Good Luck to you!!!

Sunday, August 30, 2009, 8:16 AM

PP here again. I forgot to say that I know of 3 different people who went on Paxil and gained lots of weight. All three got off of it due to the weight gain and 2 of the 3 lost the weight right away.

Sunday, August 30, 2009, 8:18 AM

On Zoloft right now, been on it for a year, no weight gain.

Tuesday, September 01, 2009, 10:35 PM

I gained about 70 pounds after going on 5 different medications - one of them being Zoloft. I can't place all the blame on the Zoloft but I'm sure it did cause some weight gain.

Thursday, September 03, 2009, 7:10 PM

Anti-depressants

Paxil, Zoloft, Prozac all make u gain weight. Celexia works great. There aren't any side affects. Cymbalta helps you lose weight also. I have very high anixetry attacks and I asked top be put on Cymbalta. Cymbalta surpress your appetie and there aren't any urges to eat. laughing, you have to make yourself eat.

Friday, September 04, 2009, 12:55 PM

Related Content: How To Lose Weight- The Basics Weight Watchers Points System The Fat Smash Diet The Eat To Live Diet The Beck Diet Solution How To Get The Motivation To Lose Weight		How To Be Successful Using PEERtrainer How To Burn Fat Online Weight Loss Support- How It Works Does Green Tea Help You Lose Weight? Tips On Using PEERtrainer Visit The PEERtrainer Community Diet and Fitness Resources
Fitness Weight Watchers Meetings Learning To Inspire Others: You Already Are Writing Down Your Daily Workouts Spending Money On A Personal Trainer? How I Became A Marathon Runner		Preventive Health How To Prevent Injuries During Your Workout Flu Season: Should You Take The Flu Shot? Are You Really Ready To Start PEERtrainer? Super Foods That Can Boost Your Energy Reversing Disease Through Nutrition
New Diet and Fitness Articles: Weight Watchers Points Plus How To Adjust Your Body To Exercise New: Weight Watchers Momentum Program New: PEERtrainer Blog Archive Review Of The New Weight Watchers Momentum Program		Weight Loss Motivation by Joshua Wayne: Why Simple Goal Setting Is Not Enough How To Delay Short Term Gratification How To Stay Motivated How To Exercise With A Busy Schedule
Real World Nutrition and Fitness Questions Can Weight Lifting Help You Lose Weight? Are Protein Drinks Safe? Nutrition As Medicine?		Everyday Weight Loss Tips How To Eat Healthy At A Party How To Eat Out And Still Lose Weight The Three Bite Rule Tips On How To Stop A Binge