Lexapro and weight gain

ChangingMyMind · Mar 10, 2014, 05:43 AM

Help!! I've been on Lexapro for about 2 weeks now, 1 week @ 5mg and now 1 week @ 10mg. I've already gained 4lbs!!

I have noticed I am more hungry than normal but I haven't been eating too much more than usual. I track my calories and exercise daily so I know the numbers and I've been in a deficit for the entire two weeks yet I've still gained weight!

Anybody else gain a lot of weight on Lexapro? Anybody gain a little weight but then able to maintain it after getting used to the medicine?

I gained 80 pounds on Celexa when I started it 11 years ago but I've since taken most of that weight off and I do not want to gain it all back!

sewerrats · Mar 11, 2014, 05:55 AM

same med has celexa but a newer version with added tweeks. I gained weight on Lexapro but most do on ssri,s . its the common side effect I am afraid

ChangingMyMind · Mar 11, 2014, 06:12 AM

Yeah, unfortunately it's a side effect that I have.

Although, the list of side effects for Lexapro say decreased appetite, was just curious if anybody experienced that or at least was able to maintain on this drug.

I'm paying extra attention to it now, hopefully I can get it under control.

sewerrats · Mar 11, 2014, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChangingMyMind

Yeah, unfortunately it's a side effect that I have.

Although, the list of side effects for Lexapro say decreased appetite, was just curious if anybody experienced that or at least was able to maintain on this drug.

I'm paying extra attention to it now, hopefully I can get it under control.

I think the decreased appetite side effect is on start up, a lot of med leaflets use that old tale just to get you on them, its when the med is about 4 months in the weight starts creep on. Then they blame us for eating more or lack of exercise,

ChangingMyMind · Mar 11, 2014, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sewerrats

I think the decreased appetite side effect is on start up, a lot of med leaflets use that old tale just to get you on them, its when the med is about 4 months in the weight starts creep on. Then they blame us for eating more or lack of exercise,

Well that's irritating! I've noticed the increased hunger already on Lexapro and it's only been 2 weeks. Although, now that I have increased my dose to 10mg it has reduced a little bit. Actually I even feel a bit like I'm on Ritalin, which I do not enjoy. I do not like to feel "high" but I kind of do so far.

I guess I'll just have to keep a very close eye on what I eat in the coming months.

regretful · Mar 11, 2014, 11:10 AM

I exercised and kept an eye on what I ate during my 12 months with Lexapro...gained went from 163 to 225...stopped the meds, and in 2 months back to 178...maintained it around there. Then to Cymbalta, and up to 200 again within a few months. Stopped and back to 175 in about 6 weeks. Now, I'm no effexor and I'm losing weight. BTW, with lexapro my second (and third) time around, I was only on it for 2 weeks due to some horrible anxiety that resulted. Best of luck to you

ChangingMyMind · Mar 11, 2014, 11:37 AM

Eh, that's not very encouraging.

I don't understand now you can have a calorie deficit and still gain weight

The last thing I want is to balloon up again. Maybe I should ask about Effexor. I was prescribed that before but never tried it because of the side effects and horror stories I read online. But if I can tolerate it and maintain or lose weight I would be happy. Its almost not worth the benefit of taking the medicine if you're 200+ lbs, at that point I am sure there are so many other health issues that can arise.

sewerrats · Mar 11, 2014, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChangingMyMind

Eh, that's not very encouraging.

I don't understand now you can have a calorie deficit and still gain weight

The last thing I want is to balloon up again. Maybe I should ask about Effexor. I was prescribed that before but never tried it because of the side effects and horror stories I read online. But if I can tolerate it and maintain or lose weight I would be happy. Its almost not worth the benefit of taking the medicine if you're 200+ lbs, at that point I am sure there are so many other health issues that can arise.

Effexor does seem more weight friendly , I have 2 friends been on it 10 years , no weight gain at all has I can see. But they still get bouts of illness I have noticed , and YES the detox is really bad ,maybe that's why they stay on it I will ask.

ChangingMyMind · Mar 11, 2014, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sewerrats

Effexor does seem more weight friendly , I have 2 friends been on it 10 years , no weight gain at all has I can see. But they still get bouts of illness I have noticed , and YES the detox is really bad ,maybe that's why they stay on it I will ask.

Hmm, possibly. I've heard only bad things about that drug, well, outside of the weight loss, of course!

I've also heard Wellbutrin is good for weight loss/maintenance too, although not so much for anxiety, which wouldn't be good for me since my anxiety can be bad sometimes.

sewerrats · Mar 11, 2014, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChangingMyMind

Hmm, possibly. I've heard only bad things about that drug, well, outside of the weight loss, of course!

I've also heard Wellbutrin is good for weight loss/maintenance too, although not so much for anxiety, which wouldn't be good for me since my anxiety can be bad sometimes.

your on Lexapro I don't think you can find a better med , for all round use, so you may get a side effect you do with them all. I cannot see a better med change for you, if your young and weight comes on diet and exercise . I just cannot be bothered at my age.

ChangingMyMind · Mar 12, 2014, 06:54 AM

From the research I've been doing on other medicine I think you're right... Lexapro seems to be the best one as far as the side effects/effectiveness/acceptability.

The only ranked list I can find shows Lexapro as one of the best ADs on the market. So I am glad to hear that it's ranked highly and I do not have too many side effects.

Popular Antidepressants: How They Stack Up - ABC News

I am able to stay awake all day, which I could not do with Celexa. I have the energy to workout. I do eat healthy and know how to take weight off the right way (diet and exercise). So maybe I'll just have to work a little harder at fighting the hunger pangs while on Lexapro. After awhile I am hopeful they will go away.

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