I have been on Lexapro for several years. And steadily gained 10-12 pounds. And even dieting and exercising for several weeks couldn't lose more than a pound or two, when previously I could shed the weight much more easily. At my last check up, I mentioned my weight gain, and inability to lose it, to the Dr. thinking that because I am about to turn 40 my metabolism was just slowing down. She said "No!" that it was because of the Lexapro. She has many women patients that experience the same thing because of the drug. I also experience severe drowsiness from Lexapro, so I am about to go back to Prozac and see if my sleepiness goes away, and my weight will drop some.
Around 9 months ago, I increased my Lexapro dosage from 20-30-40mg.Along with this increase, I felt alot better, but have gained 25 lbs that will not come off. After discussion with my provider, I just cut down to 30mg, and hope to go back to 20. I will update my progress in 4 weeks and hope to see a reverse in the direction that I was going through.
I have been taking Lexapro for the past 2 years. When I first started taking it, I lost 10 pounds right away. I really liked it, and the calming way it made me feel. (I did not like the generic as much when I recently tried it.) Then my weight just regulated. I did not gain or lose. If anything when I ate less I lost weight. I also ran and walked 3-5 times a week. I also do a short workout at night.
Not until Jan. of 2012 did I start to suddenly gain weight. I had not gained this much weight in about 15-20 years. It is really strange because I have cut my eating in half over the past year. I feel like I should have lost 20 pounds instead of gaining 5-10. and like you said it won't just go away. I also work out a little every day. I didn't think it was the Lexapro causing this because for the last 2 years the only side affects were the sexual side affects which are not good. All antidepressants probably do that anyway. I also sleep way too much, and that has been the only other side affect. My Dr. put me on Lexapro because he said it has the least side affects of most anti-depressants. So I have not really tried any others.
I was also put on an antiobiotic in January so that may have also caused this unusual weight gain?? Or it could be something else. Just commenting on my experience with Lexapro for anyone who wants to know.
Me too. I have been on Lexapro and valdoxan for about 12 months and in the last four months I have put on about 10 kg ( or 22 pounds ) My doctor will be weaning me off it soon, so I am hoping I will lose the weight gain once I stop taking it
I know you are trying to be encouraging but you have only just started using this product and are advising people to keep a food log. ha Once you have been using this product for years (and it does help with anxiety/depression) but have now become overweight (eating healthy and exercising) you now have low esteem because you are fat. And it will not come off! I used the words low esteem and not depressed because we know there is a difference between depression as a hole you can't get out of and being depressed because of something.
Hi how long did it take to lose the weight? I took lexapro for about a year n have been off it for about 2 weeks! I've been eating so healthy n eating right n have only lost 2 lbs! It's so frustrating!
Gained 20 lbs. in 3 months!!! getting off of it now. Taking half a tablet. I am more depressed about the weight gain than any depression I might have had!!