I have been taking lexapro 10 days now and the first week was rough with the side effects. Biggest one is not sleeping. But I am sticking it out because it has helped alot with my anxiety issues. My question is if you are going to gain weight on this cause I know everyone is different when it comes to side effects how long before you start to notice it? Is it like in couple weeks or a month? And my next question is how do they make you gain weight? Does it increase your appecite? Or what? Anyone know?

Don't apologize -

As far as weight gain - obviously - medications affect patients differently. My doctor said Lexapro was more for people with "elevated" or "anxious" personalities. I've been on it for a month and I haven't gained any weight. Before that, I was on Lexapro for about a year, and maybe I gained ten pounds that year, but it was because I was less active with more work responsibilities at a desk job.

Lexapro seems to be doing good for me, but obviously, I would regulate any questions to your doctor.

That said... I was back on Lexapro after my first major anxiety attack a month ago, and like the first time I was prescribed, my doctor said don't expect results for one to two weeks because that's how long it takes for that medication to take effect.

Hope this helps.

I am on lexapro and have gained about 10 pounds in one month. I lost a first and now I am gaining and slowley my clothes arent fitting me anymore. I think I am going to come off it even though I feel great.

Same thing happened to me. My weight gain happened very quickly. But.... I wish I had taken wellbutrin with the lexapro. My friend did that and lost the weight she gained on lexapro alone.

j2006, when you say it happened very quickly like how quickly? Like within 2 weeks or a month? And does anyone know what makes you gain the weight, what does the drug actually do to your body to cause it? Also j2006, were you on anything else with it?

that was one major reason i did not wanna start the lexapro...but at this point im thinking i just need to bite the bullet if it will help me...i could handle 10 lbs. in a year but nothing more than that
some say it makes you crave sweets and so that is why
some say they didnt eat anymore and were working out and still gained but who knows...there can be dif. variables for all dif. ppl...
the dr. wouldnt give me anything else for he thought the lexapro was the best choice for me...i just have to give it a try...
if a 10 lb. weightgain is all i get as a side effect and i feel better to boot then ill be:)

Thanks for all the respones but noone has really answered my questions. IF you are going to gain weight on this drug about how long before you start seeing it normally. I know everyone is different but can ANYONE tell me? And again what is it that makes you gain the weight from SSR's

i tried answering you...i said it makes you crave sweets...some say it doesnt do anything dif. to their appetite and they just gain weight...we will never know why some do and some dont...that is your answer...
you would prob. notice over a period of time...some say years and others say months..everyone is different...

No one really knows why you gain weight. Mine happened within the 3 months i took it.

it really depends on your body type.

but not everyone gains weight on it...correct??? and some ppl only gain a little...right??
i dont want that to prevent me from taking it...
i also think your dosage has lots to do with it

Some people gain and some don't. It depends on your body type.

I've gained about 20 pounds in like 4 months BUT i'd rather gain that weight and have my anxiety and depression the best it's ever been then be skinny and be like I was before. It's all up to you whether or not you want to be better. It's a small price to pay.

I agree. Nothing can compare to feeling better. I really didn't care. Once I knew I could start to feel normal again that's all that was important to me. alyce

but lets make this clear NOT EVERYONE GAINS ON LEXAPRO...right???
and if you gain it on lex you can also lose the weight you did gain while still on lexapro...
????

Not everyone gains. It depends on the body chemistry. Some people lose the weight when they come off and some don't. They only way to know is to try.

My orginial question is IF you are going to gain on lexapro how SOON idid all you start to see it?????Without changing your diet.

It is hard to say. It depends on the person.

Mine happened quick. But on other meds like this I lost weight first and then gained all within 3 months.

My psych told me the lexapro does NOT cause any shift in metabolism, and therefore, the only way to gain weight on it, is to eat more or exercise less. For example, in some ppl, it can make them crave sweets/carbs. So they end up eating more and also eating food that isn't really good for them. If you find that happening to you, you will probably gain weight. There is always a way to lose weight when stopping the med... first give it time, like a few months and then the Atkins or South Beach Diet should help.. in fact, when on Lexapro, if you also follow one of those diets, you shouldn't gain, and can still lose weight. The fact is a calorie is a calorie.

I have to disagree. There are so many people on this site that have gained weight from Lexapro. Without eating more or working out less. I havn't met a doctor yet who has said that Lexapro will not cause a shift.

But, a girl who works for me has not gained any weight with Lexapro. She loves it and has not had any anxiety issues since being on it. She has been on it for 5 years.

So it can go either way.

Give the med a try and see how it works for you.

Just an reminder to everyone.
If you have questions or concerns start your own thread, do not post them on a thread that someone else started.
The thread was started by them to get answers to THEIR questions, so please don't hijack the thread to post your questions or concerns.

Also, when responding please respond to the original poster only.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Ms_Mod

your question: how long does it take to notice weightgain on lexapro
the answer: it depends on your body chemistry...some ppl it takes a year and some it comes on rather quickly...some dont gain at all
there isnt a clear cut answer that applies to everyone

I didn't notice any weight gain until I was on it a couple/few months. Have been on it since Oct. '06 (now weaning off) and will say I have gained almost 10 pounds and have been soooo craving carbs/sweets. The newest side effects have been hair loss and sweating....hence the weaning off!