Lexapro and celexa... any weight gain issue? I never tried to really lose weight.,until now.
I just want to know if anyone had trouble with this two drugs(Celexa/Lexapro)?

This post has been edited by zipsayain: Mar 18 2009, 03:36 PM

I do not take Lexapro, but am on Celexa. Got on the scale yesterday and have noticed a 10 lb wt gain over the 10 weeks I have been on it. Though I am not eating more. In fact, I have no appetite and have to remind myself to eat. I was losing weight for no reason and without trying so this gain is really bothering me. Trying to practice patience and acceptance, but it is really challenging right now.
Hugs ~ Angel

I don't know about Celexa yet cos I just started taking it, but when I was on Lexapro I still managed to lose weight. I had to work at it, and it's a slower process for me than for someone NOT on the drug, but I did lose.

Savannah

I take a combo of Celexa and Wellbutrin. The W keeps my appetite down and my energy up. The C keeps me from being depressed and eating for comfort.

Fortunately I do not have any weight gain issue from lexapro. I am currently working on a lexapro/wellbutrin combo though so one may offset the other.

People I know who are on higher doses of lexapro do seem to struggle with weight issues, but it can be maintained with exercise and a careful watching of your diet.

Hi I have been on 20mg of Lexapro for about 3 years and I have gained around 20 kilos. No matter what I do I cant lose it.

Its a viscious circle im depressed so I take the meds, then I feel better, then the weight gain makes me depressed again.

I'm not on paxil anymore. now I'm on citalopram. But when I was on paxil I tried to lose weight and I did okay. But I got loss, and one thing lead to another.etc,etc,etc. Well now I have high blood pressure(not too high). And now I'm on a mission.

I've been on both, currently weaning from citalopram (generic celexa) and finally made the connection that the additional 35 pounds I've put on in the past 9 months completely corresponds with the amount of time I've been on the meds. I'm heavier than I've ever been with the exception of my pregnancy, but my habits haven't changed. I'm looking to get pregnant again, which is why I'm weaning, so I'm not looking to lose weight until after that. I've never had trouble keeping my weight at a reasonable range, so this is truly very out of character and the only thing different is the Lex/Celexa I've been on.

i found on citalopram (i'm totally lost with the brand names) that the urge to eat more is an initial side effect which can't be helped, but additional weight gain is more out of habit and your bigger stomach than the drugs, if that makes sense. you have to break the cycle - i did this by seriously watching my portion/s snacking for a week or so, and then found that my appetite was back to its initial state before the drugs. hope this helps.

I was speaking to my doctor about the weight gain, and this is what she told me .....

The AD medication (not all of them but the ones that make you gain weight) slows your metabolism a bit and also has an effect on the brain that doesnt tell you when you are satiated. Therefore you eat more because you dont realise that you are full and because of that and the slowed metabolism you gain weight.

It is possible to lose the weight but it is much harder than for someone not on AD's. I have lost about 2 kilos and that has taken a couple of months so it is extremely hard and slow.

I'm going to be starting on escitalopram in a couple of weeks (once I get off of effexor). Up until now I've gained so much weight from always being hungry and having absolutely no will to exercise. Has anyone had relief from this sort of thing on escitalopram? I'm not counting on losing weight as much as I would like to start exercising more and eating normally. I think if I could at least feel like I was doing the right thing for my body I would feel better overall.

Thats Amazing, I'm on Celexa and have put on the exact same amount of weight. I was already 20 kilos (or more ;-) overweight when I started AD medication but since then I am often hungry at more regular times and eat more in each sitting.
The weight gain affects the semi-loathing of myself even more so makes me more depressed, the apathy I have means I cant be bothered to make an effort.
I went off Celexa after a 6 month course about 2.5 years ago due to weight gain and the mild increase in sweating but soon the Mental issues I'd been having came back and was forced to take it again.
I'd love to never have to take another tablet again and shed the weight (I'm sick of the way people look at me) but that aint gonna happen.

I have been on 20mg of celexa for 5 years. Then the Dr. upped it to 30mg for 3 years. Then they upped it again to 40mg for 4 years. So 12 years total I have been on celexa. Amazing. And I have had zero weight gain throughout. Other than the couple of pounds here and there but nothing unusual. My body has always stayed around 165.

I have gained some weight since I started taking Celexa (Citalopram). I'm at the 7 week mark now with 20mg dosage (started out at 10mg). I have been eating about the same, but crave carbs like no ones business. I run everyday, and lift weights about 3 times a week. I have put on about 10lbs. I'm not sure if it's just the apathy I feel, and lethargy causing me to be lazy. Not sure, but you definitely have to work at your weight much more on this.

This really worries me. I started citalopram around 6-7 weeks ago. A good friend who was always very slim put on 15 kilograms over the year she was on it and says she can't seem to shift it. I put on 10 kg already last year, which I put down to switching from a job where I was on my feet and a job where I was sitting down, and I was eating a little more fattier food thanks to living with friends who loved to cook carb/meat/dairy heavy meals...

I've been eat pretty well (occasionally indulging) but generally healthy for the last 6 months and I walk a lot, but just joined a gym. So, hopefully I can lose or at the least maintain my weight. I'm already a bit overweight. I was a really chubby kid who got bullied a lot because of it, and had eating disorders as a teenager, so it's a little loaded for me (as it is for a lot of people I suspect). Bought up my concerns with my new doctor about weight gain and she got really huffy about it and told me it wasn't a listed side effect and that I shouldn't read up on these things on the internet (but she is a pretty crap doctor, the reason I've been on here looking for answers is because she told me nothing about the meds she was putting me on). I might start another thread about doctors (is there one already?) as I have had a string of useless ones, and it sounds like a lot of you have as well.

But I'm going to do my best at the gym and keep eating right. Hopefully it works. But yeah, 'apparently' it's not a side effect. But from what I have read here and elsewhere it is.

I've been on Celexa for some time now, and I have gained weight. However, I'm also taking Zyprexa, so it's hard to say which one is causing it.

I've been on celexa for a total of 15 months or so. I did gain some weight initially - about 10 pounds or so, and I was already a bit overweight. It seemed like the celexa was causing the weight gain, because I am an avid exerciser and go to the gym nearly every day, and I thought I was eating ok. Well about a month ago, maybe 5 weeks now, I got tired of watching the scale creep up and up and started really looking at what I was eating. I joined weight watchers and started counting points, which is basically the same as keeping track of calories. So far by just eating better foods and a lot less of the sweets I was eating constantly, and continuing to do 45 minutes to an hour of cardio most days of the week, I have lost 15 pounds. And it's flying off. So I know now it wasn't the meds but rather my eating that was making me gain the weight, though I do think the meds contributed to my incessant desire for sweets. I must say that now my cravings have abated. Just wanted to put it out there that you can lose weight on medication, though it does take some effort.

A side effect of a lot of anti-depressants is weight gain. It happened to me. Don't worry, it will go off in time. For now try to keep an eye on how much you eat and possibly think about doing a little exercise to counter it. I believe a lot of the weight gain is to do with water-retention, and I've seen other people ween off the med and lose everything they gained. Please think about the benefit the drug gives you though, the weight gain is temporary and definitely worth working with until it subsides.

This post has been edited by kirkwuk: Jul 25 2009, 08:53 AM

I am in my 3rd week of taking citalopram. I snack at my desk non stop, every minute, i'm thinking of food. I do notice a bit of weight gain, a few lbs so far but am afraid of gaining more. I also noticed I get a lot of gas. Anyone experience this? I take 10 miligrams at night. I notice it working for my mood and I like it...I just needed a little happy emotional push, but really, one of my biggest fears is the weight gain, my biggest stress. Now I'm on the pill, a bit more happy, a bit more positive, and my big fear is now my worst. maybe i should get off them.

I'm on 60mg of Celexa and 5mg of Abilify daily, and I've actually managed to lose weight despite my doctor's warning about weight -gain-. I weighed around 150 in December/January and started the Celexa in march. I'm down to 119 now. I have absolutely no appetite at all. I have to make myself eat. It's not something I am fond of.

Feasting on carbs is a side effect. It is NOT though permanent and can wear off quick for some people, others I have talked to say it takes a bit longer.

If you're really worried go back to your doctor. He may get you to take something else to help with the side effects.

Weight gain is a common side-effect with AD's. When I was getting it and rode it out, I didn't eat as many snacks, that was hard. One day a few months later I found I was losing the weight, and am eating normally now and not anxious about my weight at all.

This post has been edited by kirkwuk: Jul 30 2009, 04:36 AM

I've been on Celexa for 6 weeks now and I haven't noticed any difference in my weight. I've always been thin though and can't seem to put on weight no matter what I eat. I also take Seroquel which is supposed to cause weight gain as well but never did. I guess it just depends on your metabolism?

I have had zero weight gain from Citalopram- none. Like someone said already, I was just careful not to overeat for the first few months, forced myself to get out and go for a little walk each day (in Minnesota in the middle of winter, this was no small feat) - and my apetite went back to normal right around when the other major side effects started to wear off.

Hang in there- this stuff saved my life. Don't quit before the change happens.