how to lose weight gained from antidepressants

Hi. I've been on fluoxetine, Prozac and sertraline all over an 8 month period, I weigh myself everyday, ive been off them since April but I notice the weight gain rapidly in March, I never had to worry about my weight or what I ate but different story now, gaining every single day hence I've stopped taking them, damage is done, hate this, wondering if a metabolism booster may help?

Hello. I have taken sipralexa for about 3 year and gained +/- 22 pounds and did not have weight issues before. My twin also gained weight with sipralexa. So that was proof enough that it was due to the medication.

Honestly, I don't believe the weight gain is related to apetite (I always had an apetite). I believe it is related to some metabolic effect...the only other time in my life when I gained a few pounds was with a contraception medication and went back to my normal weight after 3 months or so after leaving the pill. Now I am off the Sipralexa for a few days and hope that I will go back to my normal weight after a few months. I agree that the weight issues adds to the anxiety, but that aside, Sipralexa is a very good medication and it is important to put things into perspective and prioritize your well being. It's difficult, but it doesn't help to beat yourself up because you're a little heavier.

In my experience I have managed to loose weight controlling what I eat (eating healthy, no crazy diets!). My sister lost 20 pounds runnign while on the medication, also eating healthy food. Removing bread and pasta from the menu also really helps. And goes without saying, removing processed sugars from the diet.

Hi. I was on Cipralex last year and gained 17kgs. I have no idea what will work to lose this weight. I've tried calorie counts and appetite suppressers . Nothings worked so far

Mirtazapine has an appetite stimulant for those who don't eat because of depression. If you're hungry all the time you should speak to your doctor about it so they can find you a similar drug.

I agree with you that doctors like to say that the weight gain is due to an increased appetite. I guess they say that so they can support the theory of calories in, calories out. I have been on antidepressants for about 20 years. During that time I have gained 68 pounds. I have kept my eating under control. I walk 6 days a week. I have been very discourage with how hard it is to take the weight off. I have always been careful about how much I eat and feel stupid that I have to diet to stay fat. Recently I have cut out one meal a day and reduced that amount I eat at the other two meals. I have lost 15 pounds over the last 5 months. I kind of figure that if I had gastric bypass I would only be able to eat a small amount of food, so instead of paying for the surgery, why not just eat the small amount of food? Anyway, I don't know how successful this might be and I know some may be worried about getting the proper nutrition, I am more worried about diabetes and other health problems related to weight.

I am in the same situation. did you ever lose the weight?

you can use green tea extracts which can help you in weight loss
Green tea extract rich in polyphenols (EGCG and others) and caffeine may support a weight-loss program by stimulating carbohydrate metabolism or by inhibiting the digestion of fat in the intestine. Fat burning effects are highly synergistic, almost dependent on not consuming caffeine habitually.

Here are two tricks I was doing when I was struggling with excessive weight. I was brushing my teeth after every meal, especially dinner. Yes, you heard right! That clean, minty freshness will serve as a cue to your body and brain that mealtime is over. The second trick was small reduction of the portion of meals every day. 

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I was on Celexa for a while & noticed no weight changes. I was off it almost a year then when I got stressed out again my Dr. put me on Lexapro. I have now gained at 5-10lb & I have a small frame so for me that is a lot. I have always fluxuated some with water weight but have never ever had an issue losing a few pounds if I noticed I've gained a bit. I have been eating less (even though my appetite is through the roof!) & exercising more with no results so I know it is due to the Lexapro. I am going off it again since my stressors are pretty well calmed down & to confirm my suspicions. It is so frustrating because I have taken the meds for anxiety not depression, but the weight gain is causing some depression & frustration so it's just causing more problems than it's solving. Best of luck to all as it is an up hill battle for sure. I would say talk to your doc about changing things up with your meds if you aren't able to go off them. Continue to reach out and we can all be there to support each other. Never give up we are all beautiful! xoxo

In the same boat! Never had a problem with weight until anti-depressants & definitely feeling depressed that I can't take off the extra I have gained. Gone off it now & hope the weight will come off for me quickly too as it used to. Best of luck!

Hi all, I posted on here a few weeks ago & shared my similar story about gaining weight with Lexapro. Anyways, wanted to let you know that I've been off it for right at 3 weeks and I am only 2lbs from getting back to my normal weight! Not saying anyone should stop taking their medication, but if you have there is hope that your body will adapt and get back to normal. No matter what you are all beautiful. I know it is hard to feel like it at times, I know I sure didn't. So keep reaching out for support & you will get there. Love and best wishes to you all!

Same with me! So frustrating to say the least... I've been off mine for 3 weeks and am almost back to normal weight without effort so hopefully your body will adjust quickly as well. There is hope! Good luck :)

i would not get off meds......you can get sick again and sometimes it will takek longer to for you to gain your well being......i cant lose the weight either.....but better to feel ok and go on with life than to get where you dont want to get out of bed i wish there was a way to lose also ...i was so thin and now im uncomfortable with all this weight on me....but i dont want to ever feel sick like that again........

Hi there! I know you posted this quite some time ago but I was wondering if the weight came off? I just came off the same med. I was only on it for 3 months and gained 20lbs.

Have you tried Pristiq? I recently went on Lexapro after the death of my mother and like everyone has said, it works fantastic for the anxiety and depression, but the weight gain is awful. My point? Several years ago I was on Pristiq and I don't recall having weight issues like all of the other meds listed here. After gaining 20 lbs in 2 mos, I've come off the Lexapro and will return to Pristiq. I'm very lucky to have a physician who listens to me, is honest about meds, what they do and understands concerns I may have... Like weight gain. We're a team. (Sorry, my ADD meds have worn off.) I understand that Pristiq possesses the same chemical compounds as Effexor and are very similar. Except Effexor is newer and costs more--- go figure! Thanks everyone and I wish everyone luck with their depression. I'm 52 and have run the gamut for about 30 yrs.