Zoloft/Weight gain

I have been inexplicably gaining a substantial amount of weight lately. I started taking Zoloft for depression last fall and was told yesterday by a rep from Pfitzer that one of the side effects may be weight gain. Doesn't happen with everyone but it sure would explain things. I excercise, eat according to the rules (most of the time ) but am now at 200lbs!! I was down to 170 at my lowest and was wearing a size 10-12 and felt great. Now I feel fat, heavy, have to buy fat clothes again just to have something to wear and am sorely frustrated. Does anyone have any experience with this? -=db=-

No help for you sorry but just a comment. My PCP trid to put me on zoloft when my hubby died and I refused because I was afraid of gaining...she claimed that zoloft often causes weight loss....man I am gonna wipp her when I see her..ok maybe just  growl :-) I do know that since my WLS all medicines seem to be different for me....for instance, sleeping pills keep me awake and anything that is supose to make you "up" puts me rigth to sleep. Even nyquil which I use to worship for insomnia now makes me hyper as hell... I sure wish you luck Diana RNY 9/17/03 360/200/still aiming for 180

I'm finding info all over the place about weight gain and MOST SSRI's. Most on message boards describing experiences, but I would like to find scholarly research on the subject. I didn't go through this surgery just to end up a blimp again!! -=db=-

Hi db- My husband was on Zoloft some years ago and put on a lot of weight. This is a man that eats anything he wants but still struggles to keep his weight on. He a small framed man who usually weights between 160 and 170 but when he was taking Zoloft his weight got up to about 195. He looked very bloated and unhealthy at the time. He easily dropped the weight once he stopped taking the meds.

 

 

I’ve been taking Prozac for the last couple of months and have actually dropped about 5 pounds. I have been eating better and exercising more too, but the Prozac seems to help me stay more active and alert.

 

Good Luck

 

Janice

My primary said Prozac had a pep-you-up feature.  Boy do I need that.  I am going to give it a try. paticia 262/130 rny 3/2005

I took Zoloft for several years prior to my GB surgery and all I did was gain weight. I stopped about three years ago and my weight stabilized. I won't go on it again. There must be another anti-depressant that doesn't cause you gain weight. Good luck. Pam

I'm telling you, last week I was on vacation in the Caribbean. I was walking, diving, snorkeling, swimming, hiking, running, jumping, climbing trees (okay, no tree climbing) and eating only 2-3 little meals a day consisting of mostly lean meats and veggies. I gained 5 lbs. Talk about maddening!!!! I have had it with this. I can control anxiety and depression with behavioral techniques and meditation or at least remind myself that the magic little pill is causing me more harm than good. -=db=-

Talk to your doctor about possibly switching to Cymbalta--this is one anti-depressant, anti-anxiety med that does not cause weight gain. Good luck.  I have been working with my doc to get the right med in place.  A very short-lived trial with Effexor resulted in rapid weight gain (6.5 lbs in 5 days).  Cymbalta did great in terms of reduced anxiety and no weight gain,but left me with some other issues unresolved, so the med trial continues . . . Good luck to you.

I hear you... I have given up on these meds. I had weight gain on most of them and then that made me feel worse and eating emotionally became even more of an issue for me than ever. I still have removed the weight and understand your feelling..  I hope you find a solution for your issues and that drugs won't be needed.  donna

I've had it with drugs. I am going to work it out with excercise and cognitive/behavioral techniques. I've started tapering the Zoloft and feel better already. -=db=-