Weight Gain While On Lexapro

I have been taking Lexapro 10mg/day for a year and a half. Over the last year, I have gone from a size 6 to a size 16!!!! Along the way, I met with my doctor and discussed my frustration over the weight gain. He definitely agreed the Lexapro has been the largest factor in the weight gain and said I could taper off the Lexapro to either stop completely or switch to another medicine - Wellbutrin.

At first, I tried "shaving" my daily pill little-by-little, but I felt like that kept me in constant withdrawal mode and thus I went back to the full 10 mg/day. I was telling myself it was better to be "fat and happy" than thin and in bed. (I really feel Lexapro was perfect for me - except for the weight gain. Yes, there were sexual side-effects, but I'm separated from my husband so those weren't a particular bother in my life.)

A couple of weeks ago, I realized I had forgotten to take my daily 10/mg for several days in a row - and that I felt just fine. I thought about it and made the decision to continue not taking it and see how I felt. (I told my estranged-husband and my sister so that they could both help me watch for any signs that I needed to see my doctor and get back on it or something else.)

I felt great - really no major withdrawal symptoms that I could identify. At my best guess, I have been off Lexapro for about three weeks now. In the last couple of days I have had some additional stress in my personal life and by the way I was reacting (very impatient and like a b**** afire), I began realizing that I should discuss alternatives with my doctor. Since it's the weekend, I now have to wait until Monday morning.

My questions to all of you are- 1) What are your thoughts about switching from Lexapro to Wellbutrin? (At this point I'm very concerned about weight gain AND about being on anything that will inhibit me from losing this Lexapro weight. I already asked my Dr. for a weight-loss pill or appetitie suppressant and he said no. I've gained another 20 pounds since then - I'm seriously hoping he'll have a different response this time.) 2) Do you think my moodiness in the last couple of days could be due to withdrawal? And that I should simply continue working through it? 3) Would you suggest I stay off Lexapro AND any other depression medication and simply work on losing this weight?

I am a 41 year-old female and I have done a triathlon, several half marathons, and many 5-10k events. My weight has been from 130-135 my entire adult life, with the scale breaking 140 only one time many years ago.

I began taking 10mg doses of Lexapro In June of 2007. I didn't pay much attention to the scale because I never really had in my life. By Spring 2008 my clothes stopped fitting properly--my weight had climbed to the mid 140s. My weight during 2009 has been in the mid 150s, which brings my total weight gain to 20-25 pounds.

I have never packed on weight like this in my life. I've heard the 'you're slowing down due to age' argument, but didn't buy it. I changed diet and exercise habits to try to combat the weight gain, but no luck.

A week ago my insurance no longer covered Lexapro and I had to make a thousand phone calls to straighten things out. Before I knew it almost a week had gone by and I hadn't taken a dose. I thought it may be time to stop taking it, so I logged on to learn about any effects regarding stopping cold turkey. I stumbled onto this thread and was amazed by all of your stories.

After reading the many posts about weight gain I have to conclude that Lexapro contributed to mine as well. Perhaps the body slows with age, but I did a triathlon in April of 2008 and the Disney half marathon in August of 2008. I wasn't slowing down, but I was fattening up. That's not 'slowing down'--it's coming to a screeching halt.

I've read posts about the horrible experiences people have had when going off Lexapro--both tapering off and going cold turkey. My experience so far has been dizzy spells and what others have described as 'brain zaps'--to me it feels like both ears suddenly plug for a second. Now that I know what it is I'm cool with it. I've felt edgy a couple of times, but I know to keep that in check.

Here's my truth---If I had to choose between the extra 25 pounds and my mindset now, or going back to the anxiety I felt in June 2007 and my thinner body, I would choose the extra weight-even though I am an athlete. Lexapro did help me with anxiety and I am very grateful for that.

But here's something else to consider, do I want to be a Lexapro lifer? Do I REALLY need to stay on the drug for the rest of my life to avoid anxiety? The drug companies hope I do. Official drug sites claim that only 5% of Lexapro users experience weight gain, but based on the myriad of posts here and on other sites I can safely say that's bullcrap!

This is my eighth day without Lexapro and I'm choosing to stay off of it. The turbulent events that led up to my choice to take the drug have passed, and I don't feel entirely comfortable depending on Lexapro for the rest of my life. I'll post again over the next couple of months to touch base.

Thank you all for taking the time to post. Your honesty and willingness to share is so very helpful.

I wish you all the best in whatever you choose to do.

I have been on Lexapro for more than a month now and have not experienced any weight gain or negative side effects. It has helped me tremendously with reducing anxiety and lifting my spirits. I was concerned at first when I read all these posts but decided to give it a try and monitor any side effects.

I realize it is different for everyone, but my experience so far has been positive!

I'm 49 and had been on Lexapro for a year 1 1/2 .I gained about 30 pounds while running 30-40 miles a week!I never had a weight problem (like many of you )and it took awhile to figure out what caused me to gain the weight. I quit taking it cold turkey a week ago and I am hoping the weight comes off eventually.

I have only been on 20 mg of Lexapro for 6 months and have already gained 12 pounds. My eating habits and exercise have not changed. After I noticed my weight increase I tried changing my habits even starved myself for 5 days and have never dropped a pound. After reading all these posts I have deicded to stop my Lexapro. It works wonders with my depression but the weight gain makes up the majority of my depression now. I'm only 5'2" and have gone from 121 to 133 pounds. Hopefully hard work will pay off after I quit taking the medication.

Hi everybody,

I cant believe it. Im sooo glad that I been reading all your comments. I have put on around 30kg since I take Lexapro ( 10mg) a day since 12 months. The weight just got out of hand. I just want to eat all day. I get up in the morning thinking of food.
Yes, Lexapro has helped me a lot too. It has tacken away my panic and fear and anxiety but it has given me another problem.
Im so fat now. 130kg, 170cm. I can hardly move. All my clothes are 2 small and I can not afford new ones.
Im going to go down to 5mg from tomorrow on and will talk to my Dr. how fast I can come off it without much side effects.
:D

I have been on Lexapro for part of the year (nov to march) for about 5years. I had some seasonal affective symptoms and this made my OCD tendencies more pronounced. But I only took 1/2 a pill (5mg). I never had any symptoms to speak of. I may have fluctuated my weight up about 5-6lbs during this time. But it was always hard to say whether it was the lexapro or just less out door activity, (i hate cold weather, but I still would increase workouts in winter). But in 2010 i was having more anxiety and more stressors in my life so the Doctor had me take the 5mg early about in April. Then in October I went to the 10mg. Its only January and my weight is up more than ever before ( 104lbs in Oct and 118lbs now ) and I havent changed a thing in my diet or exercise, actually since december been increasing workouts. My weight has been very consistent for years only fluctuating from 104 -108lbs) Im short, only 5'2'', and this new gain makes a big difference on my frame and my clothes and made my anxiety worse. I have been off the medicine for 2weeks now. I really thought this was the one medicine I could take without this symptom, and when my curosity brought me to this site I felt like i wasnt off target in my assessment of this med. I have read it will take a month or two to really start seeing the weight drop. I have lost 2lbs in the last week. hopefully this will continue. Thanks. Good luck to all of you.

My 17 yr old Daughter (sexual Victim) has been on lexapro , 10 mg and 20 mg , / a day she see a pharapyst and had gained like 50 lbs and her Doctor says no it not the lexapro its what your putting in your mouth,ok i agree to an extent but she says my daughter needs this high dose for the amount of depression. Every time we visit we tell her about the weight gain she says no its a neutral drug. while my daughter is200 lbs and going up

i understand what your going thru , my daughter is going thru the same

absolutely! I am about 5'5 115 pounds I have been that weight since I was in 9th grade....and NOTHING has ever made me feel so weird about my body... I have always had almost like a six pack and very thin..and ive been going Lexapro for about 7 months..and I have Definitely gained at least 10 pounds...it is ALL the drug I know it! I have not gained weight EVER...and I used to eat fast food everyday and NOTHING has ever made me gain weight and feel so grossed out by my body than with Lexapro..i can telllllll its def from the drug. it just sits on your stomach and hips..ugh I HATE IT..and will be getting off of this sh*t SO soon before I gain anymore weight...the sad part is..Lexapro was REALLY helping with my anxiety and depression and also emotion regulation..i can handle life better..i don't cry at EVERYTHING..my mind is just more quiet than its been in 10 years...but Ill tell you what..as a person who is fortunate to be thin...I HAVE to get back to myself..this fat has just really affected my body..it doesn't even feel like myself ugh...its so weird..and I am 100 percent sure its from the Lexapro...I might jump off cold turkey! after I talk to my doctor