Question:
Do Antidepressants cause weight gain?
I've been reviewing my medical history, for obvious reasons. My weight jumped drastically about nine years ago. I've been trying to figure out if there's any clue as to why. The only thing I can really correlate with my weight is whether or not I was on Antidepressants, specifically Zoloft. I swear by Zoloft, it definitely helped me out of a terrible depression. However, in the time I've been taking it, my weight has gone up, up, up. I was sure it would help me lose weight because I had so much more energy and it did quiet my appetite. However, the facts show differently. I was speaking to a friend who is also a nutritionist. She stated very confidently that antidepressants often cause weight gain. I said "eighty pounds?" and she said "oh yes." I've been cutting back on my Zoloft lately, preparing for a time when I won't take it at all. However, I'm worried about my moods. I can get pretty out of control when I'm really depressed. Not hurting anyone, but saying things I later regret, I'm pretty sure it's cost me two jobs. I feel like I have to choose between the depression and the weight. Of course, they tend to be related, usually my depression centers around my body issues. I really hope I'll have a third option after the surgery, like no pills AND no depression. Thanks — kcanges (posted on February 19, 2001)
February 19, 2001
I was taking Paxil and my PCP and Psychiatrist both wanted me
off of it. They said that a study had come out in November and
linked anti-depressants to weight gain. They had me switch to
Zoloft because it was least likely to make me gain weight. That
is just what happened with me. You should talk with your PCP
if you have concerns.
— Jenifer S.
February 19, 2001
Alot of anti-depressants do cause weight gain. My doctor and I have worked
very hard to get me on some that DO NOT cause weight gain. Celexa is a
newer drug that promotes itself as a anti-depressant that cause weight
gain, I was on it for 1 year and never weight. Wellbrutin also doesnt cause
weight gain. I am currently talking serzone and have not gained 1 pound in
the 2 years i have been on it.I have been on almostall the anti-depressant
and went off alot of them because of weight gains. but the 3 i mentioned
are good for that. work with your doctor to find one you can take and not
gain
— C. L.
February 19, 2001
My typing and spelling skills are really off today. Celexa DOES NOT cause
weight gain and that is how it is promoted. sorry about the mistakes:)
— C. L.
February 19, 2001
Quite a few psychiatric AND other medicines can encourage the body to add
weight. Some do it by increasig carbohydrate cravings, others by altering
hormones, and so on. I myself put on 45 lbs in the year after going on
anti-seizure medications for partial seizures. I had been stable at the
same weight for years, and this change was one factor which made me choose
WLS. But depression can be a fatal disease,if it leads to suicide or robs
you of all joy. Please do not decrease or stop your medicine on your own
without seeing the MD first--and not just a PCP, but a board-certified
psychiatrist. Needing meds does not mean you are crazy, nor does seeing a
real psychiatrist. Knowledge of these medicines and what they do --not
just the top 2 or 3 like most PCPs know--is the business they and psych
Nurse Practitioners are IN. There are blood tests which can be done to help
determine if depression is psychological or chemical, for example. It could
be aggravated by light sensitivity or sleep apnea, estrogen/progesterone
imbalances. You could have a "hidden" Bipolar Disorder which can
masquerade as simple depression with angry outbursts. Do right by yourself,
and see a specialist, before weaning yourself off antidepressants, or
giving them up because of weight gain. We need to be at our best to weather
the changes the first year after surgery. Best wishes, Jesse (future psych
NP)
Many meds can cause weight gain, but stopping them may not be an option, or
the best answer.---Jesse, still taking hers, and post-op.
— Jesse M.
February 19, 2001
Several years ago I suffered with severe clinical depression and was taking
antidepressants. I gained almost 80 pounds also. I stopped taking the
medicine and had to go back on it again. I am taking Prozac this time and
have had no weight gain. So far it's the best.
— [Anonymous]
February 19, 2001
I know exactly how you are feeling. For about 5 years now I've been taking
anti-depressents for Bi-polar Disorder. The one that seemed to work best
for me was Zoloft. But, I too noticed a considerable increase in my weight
(over 80 lbs). I knew it wasn't because of my diet because I was actually
eating better than I ever had and like you mentioned, felt like I had more
energy than I did before I started taking the medication. But, now after
having my surgery my doctor decided to put me on Prozac instead because it
seems to actually help people to lose weight, not gain weight. I've only
been on it for a month now, so we'll just have to see how it goes. You may
want to ask your doctor about changing to Prozac if it's appropriate for
you. I know it's frustrating not knowing if it's better to get off the
anti-depressents to lose weight or to stay on them to maintain mental
health, but be overweight. Good Luck and Best Wishes.
— Andrea H.
February 19, 2001
December 1999, my PCP took me off of Zolof because I had gained 75 pounds
in a year....He had just read in the AMA that zolof was causing weight gain
in some women. I hope this helps!! Karan
— chance2lv
February 19, 2001
Judging from the posts, no one anti-depressant causes weight gain. It
depends on the individual. Some people here have lost OR gained weight on
Zoloft, others have lost OR gained weight with Prozac. I agree with the
previous post that said you should talk with your doc. Someone else's drug
recommendation is useless or may even be harmful to you.
— [Anonymous]
February 20, 2001
Kathryn: My experience with Zoloft is that it did cause weight gain. I
started it after my second child which was exactly the time I started
gaining uncontrollably. My doc's were certain at that time there was no
evidence it caused weight gain. After 4 years or so I went to a new doc
and asked again and she said there was now evidence that it did cause
weight gain. I immediately switched to Wellbutrin, but the damage was
done. A year later I had surgery. I am still on Wellbutrin and probably
will be for a long time as my family history warrants it. I would not take
Zoloft for that reason. Otherwise, it worked well for depression. Good
luck.
— Dot M.
February 20, 2001
Hi, I'd just like to say that I have been on and off
antidepressants for the past ten years, I gained alot, about
eighty lbs on prozac and just went on Effexor xr this past
year which they are calling a prozac plus. Prozac was my
miracle pill for depression but also came the weight gain.
Effexor XR is suppose to be a great antidepressant without
the weight gain, actually I and others on it are repulsed
by food now, unfortunately I still cannot lose the weight do
to physical limitations in exercising etc. It has been a
life saver for me though as far as the depression goes, litteraly! All meds
do effect each individual differently
though as you can read here... Good Luck!!! Renee
— Renee D.
February 23, 2001
This is just an update. I want to thank everyone for sharing their
experiences and information with me. I've now gone back through my weight
history and added in what I can remember about when I was on or off
antidepressants and Zoloft in particular. There's definitely a
correlation. I have been a bad girl and not seen my psychiatrist for about
two years. Whoever said go to someone besides your PCP, this is probably
why. My PCP knew about the Zoloft and my serious concerns about my weight.
She never made any connection and in fact increased my Zoloft. Based on
her attitude though I think she's one of those who believes that people
choose to be fat. Anyway, I found out that my old psychiatrist is in my
new insurance network. YEAH! I'm seeing her Monday. I'm going to print
out all of these responses and we'll see what she says. Not to worry, I
wasn't planning to stop it altogether without talking to somebody anyway.
I just wasn't happy with the recent increase by the PCP so I'm just going
back to the original prescription. If anyone has any additional
information on this I'd really like to hear it, email me if it's too much
to post. I'm especially interested in any actual studies or reports that
could be cited about this issue. Thank you all again for your interest,
advice and insight.
— kcanges
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