Lexapro and weight gain?

[neenee]

My doc switched me from Zoloft to Lexapro on July 14th. I weighed 158 then. After 6 weeks of taking it now on August 30th.....I weigh 169. I have gained 11 pounds! The only thing that has changed for me during this time is that I am walking 2 miles 4 to 5 days per week and wasn't before. I eat the same basically.

So, I totally think it is the Lexapro making me put on this weight! I have had my thyroid checked recently....on July 14th actaully and it is fine!

Anyone else go through this on Lexapro? When I went to my allergist the other day, the assistant just mentioned to me after I told her my current meds, that she has been on Lexapro for 9 months and gained 40 lbs! That is what got me to thinking that this may be my problem!

[litabells]

Yep, I had that problem. Big time! But I stupidly decided to fix the problem myslef and took myself off my meds. Not such a good plan. If you're concerned, speak to your doc and try adjusting your meds. Good luck neenee

[LenaGardner]

When David left in July my dr. tried to put me on Celexa which is a drug almost identical to Lexapro. I only took it for about 10 days before stopping it. I stopped it partially because I'm not depressed (I was anxious, not depressed, when I saw the doctor, kwim?). But the other reason I stopped taking it was I could tell it was making me have a ravenous appetite. I didn't gain because I wasn't on it long enough to gain, but I could tell it was making me more hungry. Where normally a bagel is perfect for breakfast, I was wanting two, etc...

When I went through my first divorce I was on the actual drug Lexapro and it worked well for me....at that time it didn't make me gain weight BUT...I was an aerobics instructor at the time and I was working out 2+ hours per day so I don't know I could have gained with the activity level I had at the time.

[Heather Roselli]

Any and all anti-depressants can cause weight gain - more for some than others. And different people react differently to each one too. I'd certainly talk with your Dr. as there are plenty of different meds to try and maybe one of those won't cause so much weight gain for you. Good luck from someone that has also gained way too many pounds over the last 3 years after starting anti-depressant meds.

[LenaGardner]

I agree about any/all antidepressants affecting weight in one way or the other...When I was on Wellbutrin it actually supressed my appetite and made me lose weight (it affected Tab this way too). But of course, if you are at a healthy weight you don't want that, either. I was about 30 lbs overweight when I was on the Wellbutrin so the weight loss was welcomed.

[MissKim]

I gained 35 pounds on Zoloft, but I'm so much happier (i.e. less depressed) that I don't care.

[emmasmommy]

After I had Emma I started with MAJOR panic attacks and horrible anxiety. Dr. put me on Lexapro. While it helped with the anxiety...I gained about 35 lbs. Not so welcome after you've just had a baby.

[TanyaLynn2]

Yes I went on this after I had my third child I had been losing the baby weight before this and once I started this medicine I stopped losing and started gaining even though my eating had not changed. I finally got off of it and switched to welbutrin and stopped gaining weight it has been slow going but the weight is finally coming back off.

[Brooke W]

All the advice here has been excellent, I've not much to add. Lexapro is an SSRI class med and those are well known for affecting weight gain. Wellbutrin isn't an SSRI so it has a different way of working.
I agree with the girls. Talk to your doc and don't try taking yourself off meds, let them (docs) work with you.

[SeattleSheri]

I happened to be at the doctor today and I asked about this and she said that some people will gain (while others lose) while on Lexapro. The reason some people gain weight is because this class of drugs may cause you to metabolize simple carbohydrates differently. Instead of burning them, they are more easily stored as fat. Additionally, some people will find that they crave simple carbs (sugars, starches, etc) more than usual. Also, since many people lose weight while suffering from anxiety or depression, they tend to regain weight they initially lost after it's treated. Anyway, hopefully not much was lost in translation between how I asked the doctor and how I interpreted her answer HTH!

[neenee]

Okay the doc is taking me off the Lexapro! yay! I am going back on the Zoloft which I did okay on for over a year...no weight gain. I may have to increase the dose though (AGAIN).He had taken me off of it originally because I still wasn't doing great but was up to 250 mg a day! But, I would rather deal with some depression than gain the weight. It just crushes me to gain the weight. I work out 4 to 5 days a week and when you put weight on after working out (and enjoying it) it really sucks!

Thanks ladies for all of your advice!!! SSD rocks!