My husband is on Lexapro 10 mg and it's helping him some, but he has also gained a lot of weight and THAT is depressing him. I don't want to tell him that antidepressants can cause weight gain (Prozac made me gain about 20 lbs) because I'd rather have him happy, but at the same time, I know he's depressed about gaining weight. He goes back to the doctor in a couple weeks, and I thought about having him ask about Wellbutrin - I know someone who is on Wellbutrin and she's skinny as a rail. I took Wellbutrin for a while and it suppressed my appetite (he does tend to overeat) but it caused headaches in me. Does anyone know if Wellbutrin is the best anti-D to avoid weight gain? If he exercises everyday, will he lose weight or is it hopeless if you're on an anti-D? I recently went back on Prozac and gained 6 lbs already, very frustrating!

I've been on many many ADs and they all made me gain weight -- even wellbutrin. I did not stop gaining weight until I finished tapering off -- and losing the weight has been an incredibly slow process even though I am off everything.

When I was on the ADs, I dieted, and exercised, but still gained.

I think you should tell your husband the truth, because it is more depressing to think that you are doing something to cause your weight gain -- instead of knowing that ADs cause many people to gain weight. It's not fair to him to let him think it's something he's doing.

Hi,

I've noticed the complete opposite. I havent gained much weight at all on any of the antidepressants I've used. I may have gained a few more pounds on Paxil than usual but the benefits far outweighed the few extra pounds I put on. But in the long run, the weight came off because my depression lifted and I was able to exercise and lead a more healthy lifestyle where as before I could care less. There are so many antidepressants out there, there is sure to be atleast one which will not make him put on too much weight. I would definately tell your husband so he doesn't feel guilty and discuss this with his doctor.

good luck

Weight has always been an issue for me. I gained a lot of weight (40 pounds, my mom 20) with Paxil, but I lost weight with Celexa and Effexor. Remeron is one to watch out for if weights a concern. It affects the parts of your brain that controls hunger. It prevents you from feeling full. Do your research on Effexor because while it's a good AD the side-effects are not, especially if wanting off Effexor.

Different people are affected different ways but some anti-depressants do cause more weight gain than others. I was on antidepressants for years, by far the worst for weight gain was Remeron. Never felt full ever on it. Also took Effexor--that is the pits to wean off of, I had a severe panic attack during the withdrawal and thought I was dying, would NOT recommend it. Wellbutrin didn't cause me any weight gain but it along with Effexor caused "flat" emotions--though I suspect the Effexor was worse than the Wellbutrin. Paxil made me dizzy and feel faint all the time, caused me very low blood pressure. Unfortunately, every med has its side effects, but I'd say by far Effexor is the worst. It gave me dry mouth, headaches, and a weird side effect that it dilated the pupils of my eyes (made me look stoned all the time). The doctors all said "There is no evidence Effexor does that"--but once I got off Effexor, my eyes went back to normal and I started having severe muscle spasms all over my body in addition to the panic attacks.