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Question: Lexapro and weight gain
| dansmail26
- Mon Oct 17, 2005 12:03 pm |
I was on Lexapro for about 10 months for test Anxiety at school, recently quit it without any problems.
My issue is I gained about 20 pounds on it, all in my mid section. I worked out and ate right while on the drug, and I am trying even harder while off it, but nothing seems to work!
Are there any good weight loss supplements I should look at, or does anybody have any ideas?
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| Dr. Tamer Fouad
- Sat Dec 10, 2005 11:43 pm |
 Escitalopram (Lexapro) - An active isomer of citalopram (Celexa) which both belong to a class of Antidepressants known as Selective Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
SSRIs are not likely to cause weight gain if used for 6 months or less.
Opinions vary as to whether they cause weight gain when used for 1 year or longer. Paroxetine (Paxil) may be more likely than other SSRIs to cause weight gain.[2]
In its revised practice guideline for the treatment of major depressive disorder,[1] the American Psychiatric Association acknowledges that the literature differs as to whether patients taking SSRIs beyond the acute phase experience weight gain as a medication side effect.[1]
Fighting weight gain once it has occurred can be very difficult, and it is advisable to consider the likelihood and potential consequences of weight gain when choosing an Antidepressant.[2,
3]
It has been found that adding low-dose bupropion (Wellbutrin) (100 to 150 mg/day) or topiramate (25 to 50 mg/day) may help weight loss when used in addition to diet control and exercise.[4] In general, bupropion (Wellbutrin) is more likely to cause weight loss.
Please discuss these options with your psychiatrist.
References:
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1. American Psychiatric Association. Practice guideline for the treatment of patients with major depressive disorder (revision). Am J Psychiatry 2000; 157(suppl 4):1–45.
2. Zajecka JM. Clinical issues in long term treatment with Antidepressants. J Clin Psychiatry 2000; 61 (suppl 2):20–25.
3. Masand PS. Weight gain associated with psychotropic drugs. Review. Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy 2000; 1:377–389.
4. Rashmi Deshmukh, Kathleen Franco. Managing weight gain as a side effect of Antidepressant therapy. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine 2003; Vol. 70.
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