Switching from Paxil to Lexapro for weight loss? - Panic Disorders Message Board

boxerlover · 04-01-2003, 09:58 AM

What do you guys think? I am considering changing from 60mg of Paxil, which is working very well, to Lexapro. I have gained about 60+ pounds over the years taking Paxil, but I am sympom free. (I never had a weight problem before I started taking anti-depressants) I suffer from anxiety/ocd disorders. I am not a medicine hopper. I have been taking Paxil for at least 2 years after taking Prozac successfully for 7 years. I have always figured that being fat, although unpleasant, was much better than feeling crazy and anxious all the time, but now I hear great things about Lexapro. I have heard that people have actually lost weight. The thing that has me most interested is that fact that many people have experienced decreased sugar cravings. I am a certifiable sugar craving freak! I'm not saying that I eat sugar all the time, because I don't. I know that is not healthy, but I could. I have tried various weight-loss programs as well, but it is very hard to lose any weight. I don't know what this stuff does to your metabalism, but I think it erases it. I want to have a baby this year, and I just can not imagine, gaining an additional 20-50lbs on top of my current weight. I would love to hear from anyone who has any insite on this new drug and any women who have taken anti-depressants during pregnancy. Thanks, Linda

[This message has been edited by boxerlover (edited 04-01-2003).]

AcIntegraLS · 04-01-2003, 09:07 PM

im a 22 year old male and I am on lexapro, prob like 3 months, and I am actually trying to gain weight, been working out and slight cardio workouts too. I have had a very hard time gaining weight since I got on this. I weighed 150 when I got panic attacks, and now I'm usually in the 138-143lb range and can't seem to gain it back and its very upsetting grrrrr...maybe it is the lexapro if it does promote weight loss? I'll hafta look into that...but lexpro works great for me

goodluck
-Ryan

hry33 · 04-02-2003, 02:50 PM

lexapro, paxil and prozac are all SSRI antidepressants, weight gain or loss seems to be different for everyone boxerlover nmay be better on prozac if it didnt cause weight gain last time

buddha504 · 04-06-2003, 07:05 PM

Have you tried Wellbutrin?

I am having the same issues-- was on paxil for several months with great success for my anxiety, but the weight gain (10 lbs in 2 months) and the sexual side effects caused me to discontinue it. My dr. recommended wellbutrin as a way to combat these side effects. It didn't work for me at all (wellbutrin makes me anxious) but it might for you. I tried no meds for awhile but that didn't work either, so now I'm on lexapro. I've gained 2 lbs in the last week or so.

boxerlover · 04-07-2003, 01:51 PM

Wow, budda - keep me posted on that Lexapro thing. I just started today and feel pretty good, I did weigh myself which almost created and anxiety attack. LOL I'll keep you guys posted on my progress. Currently, and for the next 5 days i will be taking 50mg paxil, 10 mg lexapro.