i'm going to my psychiatrist on monday and i think i'm going to have my medication switched. i've been on Cymbalta (for anxiety) for 3+ months and haven't noticed much of anything. i'm just wondering about which anti-depressants have been known for their tendency to cause weight gain? because that is something i DO NOT want to happen to me...my weight is so good right now and im so happy with it. if i were to choose over continuing with anxiety or feeling better and gaining weight....i would definitely choose the anxiety. is it okay to tell my psychiatrist this before he gives me any prescription for a new med? i just don't want to make it seem like i'm being picky....but i just don't want to gain weight at all! the Cymbalta hasn't caused me any weight gain whatsoever...but i know every med works differently for everyone. suggestions/advice? :)

Hi swimgurlmx,

As you say here, everyone reacts differently to medication. Therefore it's really not possible to name a medication that is guaranteed not to cause weight gain. I've been on virtually all the SSRI's and my weight has not been effected by any of them. But I know of plenty of people who have gained and/or lost weight on a number of anti-depressants.

Sorry not to be more help! I think it's fine to tell your psychiatrist you don't want to gain weight and perhaps he will have some insights into which medications are less likely to cause weight gain.

Good luck!!

Take care.

Joanna

I have gained weight on halidol. I gained like 80lbs in 2 months so I understand your concern.

Yes, everyone is different, however, the SSRIs are known to have a high incidence of weight gain. When I was on Lexapro I gained 20 pounds in 4 months, with no end in sight. I have been on Wellbutrin for around 4 or 5 months I have lost 9 pounds. Yeah! Greg

What I can help but thinking when it comes to all these side effects that come with many of these anti depressants
is they're depressing to begin with. Thus how can they ever lead to peaceful thoughts? The old phrase "fighting fire with fire" comes to mind when I think of them. In my case I still haven't found one that does the trick without making me miserable with their side effects, whatever they may be. I have been experimenting recently with taking just 1/'4th of a Citalopram. So far I don't believe it's what I'm looking for

Hi swimgurl

I used that exact criteria when I went to see my doc to change my medication. He put me on Efexor, which supposedly most people lose weight on.

I have to say I have lost weight, but I'm still waiting for the meds to actually start working in a way that I feel is good. So far it's up and down like a yo-yo, which is not fun.

Wellbutrin is apparently the only AD that does not have weight gain listed as a possible side effect, which does not necessarily mean it won't happen. Mirtazapine, on the other hand, has weight gain as a common side effect (I tried it, and found I developed an appetite that was astounding).

I'm not recommending one over another. As has been said, there are no guarantees, as everyone reacts differently to these meds.

Good luck finding one that works, and gives you the results you want.

Cheers

dtm

thanks for all of your replies! *sigh* the mere fact that i COULD gain weight, which gives me even more anxiety. it's just a vicious cycle. lol.

I've been on a couple things, Adderall and something else I cannot remember, and I actually lost weight. I'm down to 126 now, which is unhealthy, and I can't gain the weight back. I'm never hungry and I can go a day and a half before I feel like eating something.

prozac is weight nuetral, i gained like 20 on effexor, gained on depakote, gabapentin

Side effects listed for pmeds is weight gain/loss. If Cymbalta is not causing you to gain weight. If it's not giving the desired effects after 3 months, consult with your pdoc regarding a med change and weight gain. Wellbutrin dulls appetite, but it may not work properly for you. It doesn't have a lot of effect on anxiety from my experience, but it's worth it to ask your pdoc. Benzo's work well for anxiety but they are sedating. I don't know if they cause weight gain.

I'm on a low fat/high fiber diet plus pleanty of aerobic exercise. With this regimen, I've actually lost the excessive weight gain from Zyprexa (anti-psychotic). I feel the best I have in many years. You may want to try this combination.
SW

A nasty problem.
Everyone is different but pretty much all meds cause increased appatite/weight gain for most people. I've not been on anything that has not caused these symptoms.
I've even been to three dietitions to seek help but they can do nothing to help that I am not already doing.
Of course plenty of excerise might help you, I cannot do that so it's real tough.

This post has been edited by Shewolf: Apr 19 2008, 01:09 PM

I came across a website today, serotoninpowerdiet.com. It tells about a diet for people on antidepressants. I am going to start it tomorrow. I don't know if it works but I've seen some good reviews.

Fluoxetine - lost weight
Cipramil - no change
Venlafaxine - gained weight
Mirtazapine - ++ gained weight
Olanzapine - ++++weight gain

Currently taking Venlafaxine, Mirtazapine and Olanzapine so I am officially an elephant!!!!
Now reducing Venlafaxine to switch to reboxetine - will keep you posted!!

Does any one know how cipralex affects weight? I am hoping that its not the meds that cause weight gain but maybe the increased appetite that comes with it. I have been doing everything I did before I was put on the meds, exercise and eating, even though I feel hungry sometimes . Can I still expect weight gain?

This really is not the forum for med questions. To answer your question, like the others said above, everyone is different, your mileage may vary but the bottom line
is that you have a greater chance to gain weight on an SSRI than any other antidepressant such as Effexor or Wellbutrin. I gained weight on 3 months of Celexa and it took a long time to shed it while on WB. There are some people that cipralex does not effect at all and it is right for them.
BUT...
Again, it depends on you and your body chemistry and whether an SSRI is the right med for you and what you needs are. It is hit or miss, until your pDoc finds the correct med or combo of meds for YOU.
Scroll down to the medication Forums and read all you can...there is a wealth of information there to glean from!
And in the Portal as well. Also speak with your physician..and tell him what you have told us. Take care.