Hello, I am wondering why you gain weight on effexor. Is there a medical reason???
Question posted by mareagregory on 30 Nov 2012
Last updated on 25 June 2018
7 Answers
I've been on effexor for several years. While I do agree it helps, first its not hard to quit, just ween ur self off in a month, month & an a half. For the ppl who gain weight. That makes ur blood pressure Go way up, so do ur selves a favor and walk around the block a few times. I'd hate to see someone on effexor die of heart disease.
I don't really believe that weight gain from this antidepressant is attributed to increase in appetite, nor do I believe this for any antidepressant. There is likely some medical reason behind it.
When I went on lexapro, I weighed around 120 lbs and gained almost 40 pounds within 4 months of taking it, despite my appetite/food intake remaining the same. As soon as I went off of it, the weight poured off of me. Then, I started Effexor XR and, once again, did not change my eating habits and went from around 140-180 in a little under a year. This past summer, my husband and I went to the gym on a daily basis and ate very healthy for three months and all I lost was 2 pounds when I should've lost around 20. I'm now down to my final Effexor pill, which I'm tapering from currently, and the weight gain from this medicine has devastated me.
Not to mention since I've been taking it, my eyesight went from 20/20 to "you need glasses" at the DMV, my skin has gotten terrible, and my menstrual cycle is very irregular. I don't think this is a healthy medication at all. I'd rather suffer with the anxiety/withdrawal symptoms than ever take this medication again. My neurologist, who put me on the medicine, swore up and down that it wouldn't cause weight gain or any other serious side effects but, like my other doctor, he was wrong. This medication literally ruined 2 years of my life when it should have improved my well-being. Never again.
Antidepressants and other psychotropic drugs can, in a few people, affect the basal metabolism and fat storage mechanisms leading to weight gain that is unresponsive to diet/exercise.
Hi MidwestPrincess, I have experienced the same issue and I can't stand when people who haven't taking these drugs before or haven't had the same reaction say "its because your appitie has changed." That is not the cause, when I took Lexapro i didn't notice any weight gain but maybe i was not on it for that long, 6 months later i was switched to effexor and thats when the weight problems began, in 2012 when i first took it i was 150, at 2016 when I stopped I weighed 180, and a year later after stopping my weight stays around 189, i go up to 194 then it comes back down to 189, no matter what I do, exercise does not work, eating light healthy meals do not work, nothing seems to work, if stopped eating for 4 days to see if anything would change any i only lost 1 pound.
I had blood work done and my doctor said everything was fine and to just eat healthy and go to the gym, stuff i already do, So i sought out a endocrinologist, and she looked over my recent blood work and saw how my levels were find and i was telling her the truth when I told her i don't eat junk food and I work out. She is sending me off for updated blood work to see if she can find something that would explain it. I figure stopping the medication would help, but its been a year and 2 months and no change. I was taking Venlafaxine xr 150mg. I have searched many online forums and found there are a lot of people who are experiencing the same issues and can't get rid of the weight for anything. This drug alters something in your body which cause it to become a fat storing machine and it does not want to let go of it. I hope the endocrinlogitst finds something if not I hope the weight starts to fall off by the end of the year, I am at a lost and wished I NEVER took this drug. It helps with depression somewhat but also contributes to your depression, during the last year of taken the medication i had suicidal thoughts with strong urges, they would come and go. After stopping this medication in march of 2016, I haven't had suicidal thoughts or felt depressed. Hopefully a answer comes along for all of use who is suffering.
It definitely stays true to the "weight loss" w me stated on the med information form as my Dr also told me the 1st time around taking it as did Prozac did when I took it a few years back as well. I've never had problems w weight gain or my metabolism "slowing down" on this medication or on Prozac but on Cymbalta, Paxil and a few others I did gain weight. Had nothing to do w my metabolism "slowing down" it was just the medication. But definitely "not" Effexor. I'm just BLOWN AWAY you have even said that at all. If you are taking any MAOI medications w it or even Lyrica then YES you will wo a doubt gain weight but not on Effexor unless you are the very tiny 1% that gain. I took Lyrica for 3 months and packed on 45 pounds but weight gain is very normal w Lyrica and I got off of it and the weight melted away. Weight gain or weight loss is stated on the med form that comes w all medications
The key words here are INDIVIDUAL REACTIONS TO THESE MEDICATIONS which are different in every user.
Google: WHY DO ANTIDEPRESSANTS AND ANTI-PSYCHOTICS CHANGE YOUR METABOLISM?
Many of the articles are highly technical and taken from scientific/pharmacological journals which are ACCURATE and FACTUAL.
Effexor has made me gain weight but I don't have cravings for sweets. I'm very limited to carb intake bc I'm allergic to grains.
I talked to my Dr about my weight and he agreed that it's the Effexor.
My problem is that I can't go back to having anxiety. Effexor is a nightmare to get off so I'm feeling trapped
Not true. It's slightly "nightmareish", but only for a month or so. I just did it a few months ago. No biggy.
I too find I crave carbs. I have always liked sweets, but this is more a drive for it. I don't have an increased appetite, I just eat the wrong things. I have a heck of a time with my weight, however I always had to watch it, so how much is me and how much is the effexor I can't say.
I am just the same as you. I tell myself to eat healthily, and do a lot of the time, then the craving for carbs comes, and I just have to satisfy it. I know I could lose weight if I really tried, but I have no willpower. But I say to myself I would rather be overweight then have the terrible depression and anxiety that I suffer if I do not take Effexor.
I agree with you on that one Pansy. I don't ever want to go back to the dark place again.
I agree with you and kaismama both. I was on Pristiq, and due to my husbands company changing insurance, my copay for the Pristiq was $70.00. I did go to the site and there was a voucher to get $15.00 off, but still. I was told by my doc that Effexor was similar, and I have switched and it is only a $10:00 copay. Don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to be a chepscate and get the lowest costing medicine's, but unfortunately this new insurance is sky high with sky high copays and deductibles. I'm like Kaismama. I crave the carbs too. Ohh how I struggle. But good luck to you, and in my opinion, unless you gainweight to the point it's out of control, a little weight gain is better than that ugly place. Good luck to you all, Ruthie
With this medication it slows down ur metabolism which is why you gain weight on the medication
May I ask where you found this info?
I'd like to know the answer to this question too bc I've been on this med a couple times now and keep coming back to it bc not only has it helped w my issues but it helped me stay thin when other antidepressants didnt.
It definitely stays true to the "weight loss" w me stated on the med information form as my Dr also told me the 1st time around taking it as did Prozac did when I took it a few years back as well. I've never had problems w weight gain or my metabolism "slowing down" on this medication or on Prozac but on Cymbalta, Paxil and a few others I did gain weight. Had nothing to do w my metabolism "slowing down" it was just the medication. But definitely "not" Effexor. I'm just BLOWN AWAY you have even said that at all. If you are taking any MAOI medications w it or even Lyrica then YES you will wo a doubt gain weight but not on Effexor unless you are the very tiny 1% that gain. I took Lyrica for 3 months and packed on 45 pounds but weight gain is very normal w Lyrica and I got off of it and the weight melted away. Weight gain or weight loss is stated on the med form that comes w all medications.
And although most antidepressants do cause weight gain there's a few that dont and actually cause weight loss. The only reason I was taken off Effexor was I have Fibro and we were trying different meds to help w it but when Cymbalta and another med (can't remember the name right now) didnt work I got right back on Effexor xr and I'm very happy I did. I hope it works out for you but I've searched and haven't found "not even 1 site" that says it causes weight gain OR that a persons metabolism slows down from it.
Not even 1. I'd like to know "where", what site says that.
Absolutely NO ONE can say "all antidepressants" make a person gain weight. There are "different classes" of antidepressants. Lexapro is in a different class of antidepressants as Effexor is. As I said, I've been on it a couple times and I've also been on Prozac and both caused me "lose weight and also stay the same". Zoloft caused weight loss as well, for me. Before I even got on Effexor xr I looked up the weightloss, weight gain issue as well as checked online w others to make sure before putting the first capsule in my mouth and everyone except y'all claim to have gained but there has to be an underlying issue either another med that causes weight gain such as MAOI'S bc they most certainly DO cause weight gain for sure. I'm actually very shocked to say the least. I have friends/family who are on Effexor and absolutely NONE have had any weight gain at all from Effexor.
You need to check the other antidepressants in that class bc as I said even though they are SSI'S doesn't mean they are all the same. Theres different classes the antidepressants come in within the SSRI families.
Are you kidding?? In abt 6 weeks I’ve lost almost 20 lbs!
The drug manufacturer will not admit there is weight gain with this drug, but I have read so much that people gain weight.
I know it does increase my appetite, and I find myself eating a lot of carbohydrates, which of course, makes me gain weight.
There may be a medical reason. I have googled this subject, and metabolism does seem to come into it. Some people gain on Effexor, others don't. I feel, however, that most people on Effexor are unhappy about their weight gain. I find it takes a lot of willpower to eat sensibly. That is the answer.
"The role of most antidepressants is still largely unknown, but some research suggests that antidepressants can affect metabolism. A study published in "L'Encephale" reviewed the past research on different psychotropic drugs and how they interact with metabolism. Researchers speculate that anti-depressants, including Effexor, might interfere with central nervous functions that regulate energy balance. The research also speculates that some anti-depressants decrease the resting metabolic rate. However, the researchers indicate that more studies need to be done on metabolism and anti-depressants to learn the exact role medication plays in the metabolic process."
Source: www.livestrong.com/article/522501-effexor-weight-gain-metabolism/
To lose the weight:
Perhaps (with a lot of will power) you could try eating a heart-healthy diet.
Lots of fruits, vegetables, grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products
Lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts
Limited amounts of saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, sodium (salt), and added sugars.
Participating in physical activity if you are able to for at least 30 minutes 5 days a week.
Limiting your intake of alcohol.
I've absolutely NEVER EVER heard this at all and I've been on Effexor a couple times. Only 1% gain the rest lose weight. There has to be another med you are on that is causing the weight gain. Egg ex or xr and Prozac cause bigtime weight loss. I've looked online before replying and I haven't seen it anywhere except here. I have friends/family thats also on it and no weight gain only weightloss.
Antidepressants dont all come in the same class of SSRI family. Just bc Paxil and Effexor are SSRI's does not mean they are in the same SSRI family. Antidepressants vary depending on the family in the SSRI group. You should know that if you were diligent and knew the difference instead of just posting this several times. Be diligent and know that complete facts so ppl knew so they could check to see which family their meds come in within the SSRIs.
Thank you for this comment! I did not question my doctor about weight gain with this drug because the symptoms mention "changes in weight," and then it states "weight loss (3%)." But if you turn that around it means that (97%) of those who experience changes in weight with this drug gain weight. I have gained 20 pounds since I started taking this drug. It could be something else, but I am glad I checked this site.
Weight gain is not listed as a side effect, however changes in appetite or weight is listed:
Two aspects; depending on your metabolism, it can either increase your appetite therefore the weight gain or the contrary depending on how you organism reacts to Effexor.
Remember they are possible side effects, maybe you will experience them or maybe you will not.
In my case I take my fair share of medications, all of them have one thing in common as a possible side effect: increased appetite=weight gain, I am 44 male and have never experienced weight gain.
Effexor Side Effects
Metabolic side effects have included weight loss (3%).
A recent short-term study (6 weeks) has reported an average weight loss of 2 to 3 pounds in patients treated with venlafaxine.
https://www.drugs.com/sfx/effexor-side-effects.html
Take care,
maso.-
"The role of most antidepressants is still largely unknown, but some research suggests that antidepressants can affect metabolism. A study published in "L'Encephale" reviewed the past research on different psychotropic drugs and how they interact with metabolism. Researchers speculate that anti-depressants, including Effexor, might interfere with central nervous functions that regulate energy balance. The research also speculates that some anti-depressants decrease the resting metabolic rate. However, the researchers indicate that more studies need to be done on metabolism and anti-depressants to learn the exact role medication plays in the metabolic process."
Source: www.livestrong.com/article/522501-effexor-weight-gain-metabolism/
To lose the weight:
Perhaps (with a lot of will power) you could try eating a heart-healthy diet.
Lots of fruits, vegetables, grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products
Lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts
Limited amounts of saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, sodium (salt), and added sugars.
Participating in physical activity if you are able to for at least 30 minutes 5 days a week.
Antidepressants dont all come in the same class of SSRI family. Just bc Paxil and Effexor are SSRI's does not mean they are in the same SSRI family. Antidepressants vary depending on the family in the SSRI group. You should know that if you were diligent and knew the difference instead of just posting this several times. Be diligent and know that complete facts so ppl knew so they could check to see which family their meds come in within the SSRIs.
I'm sorry I posted under the wrong comment.
Related topics
effexor, weight, anxiety and stress, medical
Further information
- Effexor prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Effexor (detailed)
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