How to Manage Weight Gain While Taking Antidepressants

Antidepressants can be a highly effective treatment for depression, but they can also cause unwanted side effects like weight gain.

Causes of Weight Gain

• Increased appetite: Antidepressants can increase appetite, leading to increased food intake and weight gain.

• Decreased metabolism: Some antidepressants can slow down metabolism, making it more difficult to burn calories and lose weight.

• Changes in physical activity: Antidepressants can sometimes cause fatigue and decreased energy levels, which can lead to decreased physical activity and weight gain.

• Depression: Depression itself can also lead to weight gain, as it can cause changes in appetite, sleep, and physical activity.

Antidepressants That Can Cause Weight Gain

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): These are the most commonly prescribed type of antidepressant, and they can cause weight gain in some people. SSRIs include Prozac (fluoxetine), Celexa (citalopram), Paxil (paroxetine), and Zoloft (sertraline).

• Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs): These are an older class of antidepressants that are less commonly prescribed today because they can cause more side effects than SSRIs. TCAs that can cause weight gain include Elavil (amitriptyline), Adapin (doxepin), Vivactil (protriptyline), and Surmontil (trimipramine).

• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): These are a rarely prescribed class of antidepressants that can also cause weight gain. MAOIs include Nardil (phenelzine), Marplan (isocarboxazid), and Parnate (tranylcypromine).

• Atypical antidepressants: These are a newer class of antidepressants that work differently than SSRIs and TCAs. Remeron (mirtazapine) is an atypical antidepressant that can cause weight gain.

Antidepressants Less Likely to Cause Weight Gain

• Cymbalta (duloxetine)

• Effexor (venlafaxine)

• Lexapro (escitalopram)

• Pristiq (desvenlafaxine)

• Trintellix (vortioxetine)

Things to Consider If You're Gaining Weight While Taking Antidepressants

1. Talk to your doctor: Talk to your doctor about the weight gain you're experiencing. They can help you determine if the weight gain is due to your antidepressant medication or other factors.

2. Make lifestyle changes: Making healthy lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly, can help you lose weight and improve your overall health.

3. Switch medications: If the weight gain is significant and is causing you distress, talk to your doctor about switching to a different antidepressant that is less likely to cause weight gain.

4. Therapy: Therapy can help you manage the underlying causes of your depression and develop coping mechanisms that can help you lose weight.

5. Be patient: Losing weight takes time and effort. Don't get discouraged if you don't see results immediately. Keep at it and you will eventually reach your goals.

Conclusion

Weight gain is a common side effect of some antidepressants, but there are steps you can take to manage it. Talk to your doctor, make healthy lifestyle changes, and be patient. With time and effort, you can lose weight and improve your overall health.