Antidepressant
Drug
Information:
Side Effects ll
Weight Gain
Antidepressant Weight Gain.
Antidepressant weight gain is more common then you might think.
You are not alone with this side effect. Though not every person
taking antidepressants will experience weight gain, it happens
enough for antidepressant weight gain to hold a firm standing in
the list of side effects.
In the weight gain arena, all antidepressants without exception
have the potential to cause weight gain. Many people are not even
aware that antidepressant weight gain is one of the most common
side effects of antidepressants until it is too late. Ironically,
antidepressant weight gain is counterproductive to depression
since unexpected weight gain can further aggravating mood
instability and low self-esteem.
Antidepressant weight gain is a major reason for people stopping
drug treatment. Even Wellbutrin, which is touted as the
antidepressant lest likely to cause weight gain, causes weight
gain in some people.
Antidepressants slow the metabolism and inhibit specific enzymes
in the liver that allow the metabolism to function correctly. Many
antidepressants also also increase appetite and carbohydrate
cravings. Antidepressant medications are also shown to cause
hormonal changes, which can further add to weight gain.
Deprex is a complex of natural "antidepressants" that supplies the
precursors to key mood-controlling neurotransmitters. Deprex
raises circulating serotonin levels, restores the appropriate
production of serotonin and norepinephrine and regulates cortisol
release – without weight gain side effects or other side effects
commonly associated with antidepressants.
Studies showed an average antidepressant weight gain of 15 to 20
pounds with Zoloft, Prozac and Celexa. Paxil appears to have the
most significant impact on weight gain of all of the SSRIs and
causes weight gains in excess of 20 pounds for the average person
taking this antidepressant. Effexor weight gain is not as severe
as the weight gain reported with Paxil, Prozac, Celexa and Zoloft.
Lexapro appears to have the least weight gain problems of all
SSRIs.
With antidepressant weight gain, it is not the amount of food
eaten, but the body’s crippled metabolism. If you have already cut
your food intake, have eliminated fatty foods, exercise on a
regular basis and you still are gaining weight, your metabolism is
to blame. If you are taking an antidepressant, chances are the
antidepressant is contributing to the sluggish metabolism. The
only true solution to antidepressant weight gain is to avoid
taking an antidepressant.
Most people slowly return to their pre-antidepressant weight after
discontinuing use, but the emphasis is on the word “slowly.”
Antidepressant weight gain is tricky because antidepressants give
an appetite suppressant feeling and some weight lose in the
beginning. It isn’t until after a few months that the weight gain
appears.
Many people will experience weight loss in the first months of
taking antidepressants but that side effect is short-lived. It is
now known that long-term use of antidepressants are associated
with weight gain. It is common for people to report weight gains
of 20, 30 and even 60 pounds several months into treatment.
Antidepressants outside the SSRI family have also been shown to
cause weight gain to varying degrees. The greatest tricyclic
antidepressant weight gain has been observed with those using
Elavil, Tofranil and Remeron. Wellbutrin causes the least amount
of weight gain but is not shown to be as effective at reducing
anxiety as other antidepressants. Desyrel appears to cause less
weight gain than Elavil but more than Wellbutrin. Again, the only
substantial means of combating weight gain from these types of
antidepressants are to discontinue use.
It is important to note that you should not stop taking your
prescribed antidepressant without first talking to your doctor.
Your doctor may need to gradually reduce the dose before stopping
completely. Suddenly stopping antidepressant use may cause
unpleasant and potentially serious side effects.
