Has anyone experienced an extreme weight gain from antidepressants? If so, has anyone lost the weight? How did you do it? How long did it take?

Does anyone have any infomation on why these drugs cause weight gain? Why do people continue to gain even after the meds are ceased? Has the drugs altered how the body metabolizes fat? Is this effect permanent?

Does anyone have any information on the drug manufacturers and medical personnel hiding or down playing this side effect?

Dear OCAngel
You have a very valid question. Unfortuneately some anti depressants as well as anti psychotics contribute to weight gain because they contain an appetite stimulant. There are other anti depressants that you could consult your doctor about that dont have that side effect. Sometimes though it is not the drug. When you are depressed everything slows down including your appetite and when you start a new drug and start to feel better you start to do more increasing your appetite on its own. If you feel its the drug you could look into a program for healthy eating or you could ask your doctor for a dietician consult, just dont let the weight gain get the better of you. Good Luck to you!!! Renee

Thank you Renee for your reply. In my case though my appetite was not increased while on the meds. In fact, it decreased so much that I went into starvation mode. I continued to gain weight even without eating. My doctor wanted to put me on an appetite suppressant, but I became outraged when he suggested that even after I told him I was barely eating already.

I have been off the meds for 3 months now and have been involved in a monitored fitness program and have been on a 1,200 cal. a day diet. Over the last 3 months I have not lost ANY of the weight, not even one single pound. I do weight training twice a week, cardio twice a week, and mountain bike ride each weekend. That's exercise 6 days a week along with the diet and there has been no change in the weight.

I post on any board I think I can find answers to this problem and I have found that there are thousands of people who are also suffering from this. some have gained up to 100lb in less than a year on these meds. Each one says they were not told of the deforming weight gain ahead of time.

Hi OCAngel http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif

So sorry to hear about your difficulties with meds and losing weight. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/frown.gif It sounds to me (but I'm only an uninformed layman) as if you might have a thyroid problem. If I'm not mistaken some antidepressants cause changes in the thyroid system. I'd suggest doing some looking around the web for answers. Maybe do a search on Wilson's thyroid syndrome and on thyroid function and anti-depressants.

Good luck and God bless http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/angel.gif
Kim

[This message has been edited by kvanrijn (edited 02-21-2003).]

I gained over 50 pounds from an antidepressent and antipycotic. I hardly eat anything and can not loose for anything. I had lost 75 pounds to begin with then was put on all the meds and gained it all back. I am so mad.

Dear OCAngel
I'm sorry to hear about your situation I didn't realize that you were doing all that exercising and watching. Kvanrijn is right and you should be have your thyroid checked. Our patients have routine lab work done and the TSH(thyroid stimulating hormone) is one of our routine labs. You have nothing to lose by checking it out! I sincerely hope you can find some answers, and the next time I'm at work I'll check with a couple of our psychiatrists to see if they can offer any insight for you. When I get some info I'll get back to you. Keep your head held high as well as your spirit. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif Ren

Well, I don't know...all I can tell you is this. 10 years ago I was on an antidepressant and I gained like 15 lbs. in less than 4 months. I started out weighing 125 lbs, but ended up around 140 lbs. I was only on the medication for about 6 months. It made me a zombie and all I wanted to do was eat, so I took myself off of it. Well, the zombie stuff went away, however, the increased appetite DID NOT. I'm still struggling with the increased appetite 10 years later. I am now 160 lbs. I'm only 5'6" tall, and medium frame so yes, it DOES show on me. But I can't seem to get the appetite under control for any length of time. I'm still working on it, though.

I gained 15 lbs in a month while on Paxil. I didn't have an increased appetite and didn't gain anymore the other 5 months I was on it. I have been off of it for 8 months now and haven't been able to lose it. I seem to get a couple of pounds off and it comes right back! I can also say that I do not have a thyroid problem as I was tested for this before I was put on the Paxil.

I gained a massive amount (40 pounds) in a year on the anti depressants...a little of it was food, and feel so lethargic...I had already been tested for thyroid problems (and was negative). I haven't yet lost the weight...although as soon as i came off the pills, i began to feel better, and got out more, and the weight started to drop...I lost 15 pounds over a couple of months....but then i came to a standstill and put on a few again. I have horrible stretch marks now...well they're not terrible...i just wish i'd never started the anti depressants...they didn't help anyhow, and my doc got raged for giving them to me (not by me...by a psychiatrist).

OMG, I am so happy I have found you all. I too am in the same rut of weight gain. I had lost a considerable amount of weight and when I went on paxil, I gained 20 lbs. However, the weight gain was not immediate. I gained it after 2 years of being on it and put on the 20 lbs in 7-8 months flat. I am so disappointed. Here, I work out 5-6 times a week, watch everything that goes in my mouth, have had my thyroid checked time and time again, and have finally come to the understanding that the paxil made me gain the weight. I am more depressed now than I was before the drugs. I thought this stuff was supposed to help and I think it just made things worse. I have stopped all antidepressants since April 10th. I am prayin I lose the weight, but we'll see. It's very difficult for me to come to terms with this, but I am trying.

If you have any suggestions, please send them my way.

Thanks.

Hello RadGirl,

I felt the same way you do when I found a board with a discussion over weight gain from these meds. Before that I thought I was all alone in this. The Drs. were lying to me or making light of my complaints.

I started this thread and have been follwing it, but didn't have much news to add that wasn't already being said. But today I have some good news! It has been 6 months since I quit the meds and went on a campaign to lose the weight. I work out with a trainer twice a week and do cardio 3 times a week. I am also on a monitored diet of 1200-1300 cals a day. It took a long, long time to begin to see results, but I'm happy to say that I have lost 4 whole pounds!

Six months is a long time to lose just 4 pounds, but at least there is some progress. I now believe that the weight can come off, but its a long hard road. I used to think keeping a meal journal was silly, but I now write down every calorie I take in.

The meds are definately responsible for the weight gain and they are also a factor in our bodies hanging onto the fat, even after the meds are ceased. We have to accept the fact that our body make-up has been altered and we can no longer use the methods to take off weight that we used to. I used to skip a dinner and lose 4 pounds.

My suggestion is to get a trainer (expect to pay $45 an hour), go to a site called ChowBaby that lists the caloric value of most chain restaurants and use it as your bible when counting calories, and then do your cardio in an extreme manner (meaning crank it up for 45 mins, 3-4 times a week, and sweat like heck). It's hhhhhhaaaaarrrrrdddddd!!!!!!

Just remember that if things get too tough in your efforts to lose the weight, all you need to do is go bathing suit shopping and your resolve will be renewed in no time.

Good Luck and keep posting with updates.

OCgirl,

I am so very proud of you. Good job and keep the good work up. I have some renewed faith that hopefully this stupid weight will come off.

I was taking Paxil for about a year and have suffered a tremendous weight gain. I felt great on the Paxil for a while, but with the weight gain I have now begun to feel terrible. I finally discontinued the Paxil about a month ago and still have had no weight loss.

Me too, I weighed 140 all my life intill I took prozac for 3 years and ended up weighing 185....I kept telling the doctor I thought is was the prozac and he kept telling me it was my age and my body changing I was 39 then.....
It is sooooo brutal!!!!

I take Celexa and have gained almost 80 pounds now,I eat very little and now I feel like I need a crain just to move myself.

Hi All!
I have been on antidepressants steadly sense I've been 28 yo.I am now 52 yo. I have always had a weight problem all my life. But you are right!! The Drs. Do Not Tell you that this medication makes you gain weight! I put on so much weight,and took it off only to put it back on again when they keep changing my medication.I really was upset for a lot of years! Until finally I got a Dr.who told me that the medication, that I'm on now would not make me gain weight,and he was finally telling me the truth. I'm on Wellbutrin SR.As a matter fact this medication does the opposite for me. I don't want to eat at all sometimes.I have to be careful.But I didn't lose weight on this I just was stable.And I no longer held so much fluid. Anyway I went on The Atkin's diet, and have been on it for a little over 19 weeks now. I have lost 60 lbs. But I still have a long way to go yet. I feel the best I have in a long time. My thyroid kind of kicked out on me about 7,or 8 years ago.So I'm also Hypothroid,am on Celebrex for Osteoarthritis,and many other problems. Sense I've taken off the weight so far my chol.is really good.The Dr. just had to up my thyroid medication.But I have had medications taken away I no longer need ,and that makes me feel great! I am with all of you. I sure wish they had told me years ago! That this medication would put weight on,but no one ever did. I had to learn the hard way!! But I guees that's life. So now all I can do is try to get the weight off. I'm glad I finally found a diet,that I could get it off with. I will always have to take antidepressants. As the problem I have ,that I have to take antid's runs in my family. But I sure will know to pin them down on the weight question! along with doing my own research! The best of luck to all of you! sjg

Wow! I didn't know how common this problem was. I took prozac on and off for 5 yrs and took myself off of it about 8 mos ago. I read that it could prevent you from losing weight.

When I first started taking it (prozac) I actually lost quite a bit of weight, but then it stopped working for me and I gained it all plus a lot. I feel the meds did it to me as well.

I am also on atkins and like how I feel on it. I have been able to discontinue many of my meds and feel better (except right now I have sinusitis http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/frown.gif ) I still have a long way to go (about 60 lbs) before I'll be normal weight, but I keep on keepin on. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

I think a bad diet can have a big affect on a persons mental well being. Depression and Panic Disorder run in my family, but then so does crummy eating http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/biggrin.gif . It's a vicious cycle (circle).

Good luck to you all on overcoming this BIG obstacle. You can do it http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/bang.gif

posie,
We've got to stop meeting like this!!! LOL
I can't figure out if you're following me , or I'm following you! Anyway good to hear from you!

Take Care Of your sinus Problem! It can really cause a lot of problems.

sjg

I have been taking 40mg of Prozac per day since 1985.
In that time I have gained 150 pounds, and only NOW
my doctor thinks my weight problem might be due to the
Prozac. I have lowered my dosage to 20mg/day and plan to be off it entirely eventually. I am currently on a zero carb diet until I loose 65 pounds.
I definitley think the Prozac caused my weight gain.

Same story, Paxil caused me to gain 35 pounds and now having been off meds for several months I still can't lose! My dr. says the Paxil slows down the metabolism which is why the weight won't come off. Am thinking about ordering Leptoprin ...

I had lost about 90 lbs on lowcarb when my dr. put me on Paxil CR. I gained back about 70 of those lbs over the course of a year until I finally had him take me off the Paxil altogether. What a horrible experience getting off it! So, I might have slowed up my metabolism with that junk? I wonder how long it takes for it to speed back up? What is Leptoprin?

Hi everyone!
I am new to this. I too have gained a significant amount of weight since taking meds. Any advice or suggestions. I have joined WW this past thursday but am unsure if I want to take this slow route. I am desperate. Help me!!

Talk to your doctor about Zonegran. It started as an anti-epileptic and during the studies they noticed that everyone on it lost weight. Now they have connected it with depression. I have been on every anti-depressant out there for the past 5 years now and this is the first time I feel normal. I dont have any mood swings and I am losing weight pretty rapidly.

Your doctor may not have heard of it, so you may have to push him to research it before he will prescribe it.

Good luck!

I had the same problem of a huge weight gain on Zoloft several years ago. I
gained over a hundred pounds in a relatively short time, without having changed ANY of my eating habits. Eventually, I told my doctor that I thought it was the Zoloft that did it and she didn't believe me. I was so upset because the only variable that I had changed was that I was taking Zoloft. Well, I stopped taking it and am I glad I did because it was only when I stopped that my weight gain also stopped. I wonder how much bigger I would have gotten!
(cringe). Has anyone had much success taking the weight back off again? My
eating habits have still not changed (they weren't perfect to begin with, but not that bad, either) all that much and I exercise by walking approximately three miles every day. Thanks for your help, and thank you all for posting your replies.

People are reluctant to take psychotropic meds when a side effect is possible weight gain, thus the manufacturers downplay this side effect. It is not until a particular med becomes so important for stabilization that research is conducted to find out exactly why a certain med will cause the weight gain.
My particular med is depakote and studies show that depakote decreases the body's sensitivity to insulin. This means that I can eat less but still gain weight if I am taking in too much sugar, natural or refined. So the best way to counteract the weight gain is to change my way of eating to one which increases the body's sensitivity to insulin, to the way it reacts to sugar, carbs.
I was already 40 lbs overweight and gained 60lbs the first year of being on my meds. I am still on those same meds and have lost those 100 lbs by following the principles of atkins and protein power as it applies to insulin resistance. Also essential fatty acids are necessary for the weight loss, added bonus is that the omega 3's are also good in improving the moods as well.

Magnolia--
I've been searching the web for years (literally) for someone who's had major weight gain due to depakote and has found a way to lose weight while remaining on the medication. You've given me such hope!
Since taking depakote has allowed me to remain seizure-free for many years, I'm very reluctant to change meds. However, I've now gained about 95 pounds, with no signs of slowing down. The only diet that seems to work well for me is Atkins. However, even if I can get past my carb/sugar cravings, the lack of variety on the diet causes me to throw in the towel after a few months.
It sounds as though you've found a liveable, as well as workable and effective, compromise. Would you be willing to share your secret? I'd be appreciative of as much specific detail as you're willing to provide. In advance, thank you so very much.

i started celexa around six months ago and have gained almost thirty pounds!!! I COULD NOT BELIVE THIS i thought this medication was going to make me feel better.........i took myself of the medication and i have been feeling a little weird, but i have lost 8 pounds since i stoped taking it 1week and 1/2 ago i think this medication was making me retain water i am going back to the doctor in late january to talk with her about this a few people have recomended welbutrin they say no weight gain feel better and that sounds good i will discuss this with my doc anyone takin wellbutrin?

I am on an anti-psychotic aswell as an SSRI the weight is going on steadily at about a pound a week. I know from experience if come of the meds the weight will start to drop off again but if I do I will be carted off to the hospital and forcibly injected.

:(

I am on prozac and gaining too .. about 40lbs overweight now. I feel desperate! People keep telling me that it can't be the meds and I just need to exercise some control but I have never eaten this way before. I feel in a total no win situation. I can't stop the weight going on - and it still is, steadily - but if I come off prozac, like Zoe says, I am in trouble. And I don't know what to do!

I agree!! I am was on Lexapro then was switched to Zoloft, I do atkins faithfully and I walk 4-5 days a week for at least 1/2 hour!! I have gained 25lbs since starting. HELP!!

Ahh. same old story, I've been taking Paxil, and have gained weight. Can't fit into hardly any of my clothes, love the sanity I have with Paxil, but hate the weight I've gained. Tried to taper off before, drove myself and people around me insane. Went back on. Trying to taper off once again, but hoping that the Omega 3 and Vit. E will help me. I'm down to 10mg right now...hoping to get off it, and get the weight off, and keep my sanity...

Yvette

Hi Everyone, Just had to add to this :) I have been on , Celexa, Zoloft and now Lexapro for the last year and a half and have gained 30 lbs plus had an emergency splenectomy after a car accident (which I am told makes you gain weight) and I take a beta blocker, total weight gain from all of this is a grand total of 45 lbs. Most of which I feel is from the Celexa which I was on for 11 months. I was on zoloft for only 1 month and lexapro I have only been on 6 months. I feel like I will never lose this weight. I am 210 lbs and 5'9. This is the heaviest I have ever been. I was 165 and when I got on AD's and that was after I had gained 20lbs from leaving a job where I was moving around all day to a job where I sit all day. I just feel defeated. My weight loss attempts are failing, because I am hungry all the time (mainly craving sweets, which I had never had a problem with before) someone on this thread posted info about Zonegran which I am definitely going to discuss with my doc. Good luck to everyone out there with your weight loss attempts.

I am new to the boards, and found them quite by accident, but I must say that I am close to tears!! I have been taking Zoloft for about 8 months and have gained nearly 30 pounds. I am 24 years old and have never had a weight problem, but all of a sudden am struggling. I have asked if the meds were contributing to the weight gain, but was also told that "your metabolism has just changed, you just need to exercise, etc." THe problem is, I haven't changed my eating habits!! I suppose I should also mention that I just got married in December, but had started gaining the weight over the summer....just when I began taking my AD. Have also changed jobs and am now at a desk for the majority of the day, however, even walking and dieting have not alleviated any of the weight gain. If anything, I have continued to put ON weight. I am utterly frustrated and embarrassed, won't let my new husband even touch me, and am really tired of people asking me if I am pregnant (which I am not). Any advice that you can offer would be GREATLY appreciated!!!

Has anyone experienced an extreme weight gain from antidepressants? If so, has anyone lost the weight? How did you do it? How long did it take?

Does anyone have any infomation on why these drugs cause weight gain? Why do people continue to gain even after the meds are ceased? Has the drugs altered how the body metabolizes fat? Is this effect permanent?

Does anyone have any information on the drug manufacturers and medical personnel hiding or down playing this side effect?
Wellbutrin actually made me lose weight i went from 128 to 115 and i have only been on it for about 2 months

Many psychotropic drugs affect the normal function of the pancreas, thereby wrecking havoc on insulin levels. Over time, people on these medications become insulin resistant, which is a precursor to type-2 diabetes. Insulin resistance is defined as a reduced sensitivity to insulin's effect on blood sugar levels. Unfortunately, stopping medication does not necessarily dictate that problems with insulin resistance will disappear. After a time, the damage is already done.

Statistically, the majority of women on my drug, Depakote, also have PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), which is similarly characterized by insulin resistance and diabetes-like symptoms, as well as infertility. Even without being diagnosed as diabetic, typical treatment for PCOS is a prescription for Metformin or other diabetic medication in order to control diabetic symptoms and stimulate ovulation.

It took many years struggling with 100 pounds of excess weight and infertility before I made the connection between Depakote, PCOS, infertility, and weight gain. If you are like me, you have no option but to continue taking your meds. But without piling on more medications to counter Depakote's side effects, I came to the conclusion that a radical diet to address and counterbalance insulin resistance is the only approach to allay diabetic symptoms, lose weight--and through weight loss, potentially reverse anovulary cycles.

Diets that address insulin resistance require that you cut out just about everything that is sugar or becomes sugar during digestion (e.g., carbs). Through the monitoring of ketones in the urine, dieters can know with certainty that they are in ketosis/lipolysis, the process by which the body burns fat reserves. The most popular diet that teaches these principles is Atkins. Of course, exercise helps too.

For more information, I would suggest that you search this board for postings by Magnolia. Magnolia is a senior member who has researched the medication/weight gain connection extensively and has lost a lot of weight as a result--all the while staying on meds.

What a great thread! I've taken numerous anti-depressants during the past 12 years, but my doctor just put me on Effexor XR about 10 weeks ago. While I LOVE what it has done for me mentally, I'm positive it's having a BIG impact on my weight. I've been following Atkins and I've suddenly stopped losing. I'm certain it's due to the Effexor, but I'm not willing to give up just yet! First I will increase my exercise and take some supplements (CLA, Omega-3) that my doc recommended. My pdoc is sympathetic and believes me that it's the Effexor (even though they claim Effexor will NOT make you gain weight) and is willing to work with me on switching meds. I just don't want to! Oh well...such is life :confused:
Peace,
Susan

I've been on pretty much every anti-depressant out there and had gained about 50 pounds combined. I say talk to your doctor and do your research, because an anti-depressant that causes you to gain weight isn't going to do anything for you but make you more depressed. I was able to find the right combination of drugs, and have since lost every single pound with diet and exercise. I recommend slim-fast.

People react differently to different meds, one anti-dep took my appetite away and I had to get off because I was sooooooo thin. I went on Paxil (desperation!) and have gained 12kg, I have never had a weight problem before these meds. I am now trying Omega 3 fish oil with Vit E, I found a site that said anti-deps can change your metabolism and 50% can lose weight with the omega 3, I have tried to be good with my diet and do get cravings but generally I still eat the same as before but still dont lose. I believe once off the meds the weight comes off very slowly. I am on half my dose but nothing much has happened yet. Hope this helps, I know how you feel.

Cinderella - what was the appetite suppressant drug? Oh my gosh, I'd love to switch.

I've been taking Lexapro for two years now. It's a wonderful antidepressant, and I think it's been worth it, even with the weight gain. But, ugh. It's still weight gain.

I was always a little overweight before - was supposed to be 120 but was 140, and you couldn't really tell. I looked perfectly fine and healthy. I started taking antidepressants, and now I'm probably around 250. That's 100 pounds more!

I complained about this to my doc, and he said, "Well, you know, food tastes better now, so you're probably eating more of it." I didn't think so, but didn't argue.

My mom came over to visit (from across the country) and, being my mom, took one look at me and started to try to "help" me lose weight. Grr. After spending a week with me, she said, "You know, I think it really is your meds. I've been watching, and you hardly touch your food."

Well, duh!

I avoid full-length mirrors now... and let it get worse... *sigh*

Okira, if you stop losing weight on Atkins, it helps to drop down to about 3-4 carbs for a couple of days. I've met one woman who said 3-4 carbs/day sounded impossible, but she tried it, and came back a few days later saying, "Wow! I lost five pounds!"

Hi everyone! I've never been on antidepressants so I was a bit surprised when my doc prescribed me some for my tummy trouble. She prescirbed me lexapro but I'm so HESITANT to try it due to weight gain. I"m searchign through all the message boards to see if anyone ahs LOST weight off of lexapro and it doesnt seem liek they do. The only person that sed anythign about losing weight was on wellbutrin. has ANYONE lost weight off of lexapro? :confused:

Hi, heather, the drug i took was cipramol (this is how it sounds not spelt right) I lost weight because it made me VERY VERY VERY ILL, bedridden in fact, I would not recomment it. I am now off paxil by a week and nuttins happening still fat grrrrr, hey hope you have sorted out your boyfriend

I wonder if it is Paxil and Prozac that cause weight gain, sounds like that was what most of you were taking. I haven't heard of this so much with Zoloft or Lexapro. I am taking lexapro and haven't had any weight gain issues.