I know that many have gained weight while on Paxil, but I have a question about going off Paxil and gaining weight. I've been on Paxil for quite some time (6 years) at 30 mg. Recently, I decided (with the advice from my physician) to decrease my dosage of Paxil from 30 to 15 mg (read: just half the dosage, not go off of Paxil completely). I never actually gained weight while on Paxil, but this past month or so, I've gained approximately 15 pounds just by decreasing the dosage by half (which is actually quite a bit). I experience some minor headaches, but no side effects of the magnitude others have described when quitting cold turkey.
Is it possible to gain weight by coming off or decreasing dosages of Paxil? Has anyone experienced a similar situation? I believe it's possible because the past month I didn't change any exercise habits that I had, and the only thing coincident with my weight gain is the decreased dosage of Paxil. I'm contemplating going back to 30 mg.
Gained weight after taking Paxil. Since dosage has been cut in half have gained even more weight. Want to stop taking it but am afraid I will either not be able to lose the extra weight or perhaps gain even more. Am very depressed. If I had known about permanent weight gain side effects would never have taken this medication. I eat healthy and am an exercise fanatic. Have the same routine and diet on Paxil as before I took this drug. This is the most depressing drug! Years ago took an antidepressant that caused weight gain due to bloating. Once I stopped it the weight came off immediately. Never realized that a medication could cause permanent side effects plus worse side affects once it is stopped. My pharmacist says Paxil causes fat weight gain not bloating.