Why antidepressants can cause weight gain

Why antidepressants can cause weight gain

When suffering from the dark cloud of depression, using an antidepressant can help lift the feeling of gloominess bringing millions into the light feeling like themselves once again. But one drawback of their use is the possible side effect of weight gain.  Everyone responds differently to antidepressants – some people may gain weight while others see no effect from them.

It’s estimated that as many as 25 percent of those taking certain antidepressants end up gaining weight.  The effect also seems more likely to occur after taking medication for six months or longer.  The average weight gain reported was gaining 8-10 pounds within a few weeks of starting them.

The reason for possible weight gain when taking an antidepressant is unknown. It could be that they trigger food cravings, particularly for carbohydrates.  A reasonable theory is that once you start taking the antidepressant and they are effective by reducing depression, your appetite comes back – however this is only in cases where loss of appetite was a symptom of depression.  For many people who are already depressed, overeating can be one symptom of their depression even before they began treatment with an antidepressant.

There are certain antidepressants appearing to cause weight gain more so than others.  They include:

·      Certain tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, imipramine (Tofranil) and doxepin.

·      Certain monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), such as phenelzine (Nardil).

·      Paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva), a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).

Other antidepressants that appear less likely to cause weight gain include:

·      Effexor (venlafaxine)

·      Serzone (nafazodone)

·      Wellbutrin (bupropion)

·      Zoloft (SSRI)

A factor to keep in mind is that it may not always be the fault of taking an antidepressant that leads to weight gain.  Many factors can contribute to gaining pounds during antidepressant therapy.  As an example:

·      Depression in itself can lead to some people overeating and being inactive causing weight gain.

·      As we age we tend to gain weight regardless of the medication we use.

·      For some people once they start feeling better their appetite comes back possibly leading to weight gain.

If you notice yourself gaining weight while using an antidepressant, discuss this with your doctor who prescribed the medication.  Together, decide if the benefits of taking an antidepressant outweigh the side effect of weight gain.  Ask the doctor if they could adjust the dosage or switch to a different antidepressant known to not cause weight gain.  Never stop taking your medication without informing your doctor first.

While on an antidepressant, follow a healthy meal plan by not skipping meals, eating about 25-30 grams of protein at each meal, increase intake of fruits and veggies, and reduce sugary beverages and foods. Plenty of physical activity of at least 30 minutes each day is also a boost to preventing weight gain.  More movement throughout the day is an effective natural way of treating mild to moderate depression while building lean muscle mass and keeping the weight off. 

It’s very important to work with a qualified health professional who can help you get the best possible results with the fewest side effects and to help assess whether the benefits outweigh the costs.