Has anyone else experienced RAPID weight gain on Viibryd?
Question posted by daseniura on 1 May 2013
Last updated on 4 August 2023
My doctor started me on Viibryd about a month ago after I'd been on Lexapro for years and it had stopped working as well. I did the standard step-up dosage pattern with the starter pack... started at 10mg and was up to 40mg by the 3rd week. I should mention that I am anorexic and bulimic and my doctor is well aware of this, and when he told me about this new Viibryd medication I adamantly stated that I CANNOT be on anything that causes weight gain. (I also take 450mg of Wellbutrin XL and have been for several years now.) So he promised me that Viibryd doesn't cause weight gain and I agreed to start taking it. A couple of years ago, I lost a ton of weight (110 pounds) through diet and tons of exercise and managed to stay at about 100-105 pounds for a good 6 months, even AFTER I stopped exercising completely.
Well, suddenly I started gaining weight rapidly about a month ago, and so I freaked out and started going to the gym again and working out hardcore (which I know produces results because that's how I've lost weight and kept it off in the past) and immediately changed my eating habits. Yet I'm still steadily gaining weight at an alarming rate and the only explanation I have for it is that it's the Viibryd. I know it's not normal to exercise hardcore, eat healthy, and STILL gain weight. I now weigh 120 pounds and the number has just steadily climbed up since I started Viibryd. I don't understand this at all. I weigh myself everyday and monitor every single thing I eat. I track my caloric intake religiously and I know exactly how many calories I've burned during my workouts, and nothing can account for this weight gain other than the medication. If anything, I should be LOSING weight since I just went from sitting on my butt all day to an hour of cardio a day, but this is not the case. In the 3 weeks since I started working out hardcore, I've gained 5 pounds (no, it's not from fat converting to muscle).
I think Viibryd needs to be tested more and an updated report of side effects needs to be published. No amount of depression in the world is worse than weight gain for me, so it's ironic that an anti-depressant is causing me to want to kill myself due to a side effect that seems to be a lot more common than the pharmaceutical companies would have you believe. I'm going to stop taking the Viibryd as of today and I don't care what my doctor has to say. I'm hoping I'll be able to take off the 10 pounds I've gained in the month since I started Viibryd once I stop taking it. I'll make sure to post an update to this thread once I've tapered myself off to let everyone know if anything changes. I'm just really upset because I was led to believe this medication wouldn't cause any weight issues. I've also had an increased craving for sweets, but I haven't given in to it because I know what sweets do. I'm also incredibly bloated since starting the Viibryd. Has anyone else had similar experiences with weight gain and this medicine and past eating disorders?
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73 Answers Page 4
CM
cmark
26 April 2016
For the record, I've been on Viibryd for a month now, and have lost 5 lbs. I have a 40 year history of mood disorders and anxiety. My fingers are crossed... but I am starting to feel better. That said, I'm also a pharmacist, who worked on site with psychiatric hospital patients dispensing and discussing their meds with them, too. I recall that a hoped-for and actually common reaction to being put on a new AD is an eventual bump up in optimism, energy, and sense of "I will make it work this time." This naturally results -- in many of us -- in a self-prescribed permission slip to "celebrate" (albeit often prematurely.) Some of us do it with a mini-vacation, others with a reasonable shopping treat -- but many of us simply allow ourselves to skip the salad dinner and treat ourselves to our favorite meal instead (often not on our "diet").
Once is not going to be a problem, but as the "hey I think this new drug is starting to work" feeling builds, our diets can end up on the back burner (pun intended) pretty quickly. Life just begins to look good again -- perhaps too good to eat salads every night! We may also give ourselves more days off here and there when it comes to our aerobics routines. Again, it seems to start out gradually -- a nap rather than a jog just sounds good, and we feel we deserve it. You probably see where I'm going. The initial use of an antidepressant has been shown to cause suicidal ideation (or worse) in some young people, in theory because of the sudden increase in energy and the ability simply to do anything once again -- like act on an impulse. The initial boost from some AD's can cause changes in our thinking in other, less life-threatening areas too. Like our eating and exercise habits. Can drugs change our metabolism? Certainly. Can they alter our patterns of thinking and behavior? Of course. Is gaining weight a result of taking in more calories than we expend? Sure, and the ways all these changes interact is complex. But, just as you wouldn't give up on your new (expensive?) AD in the first month, consider making an equally important commitment to your exercise and weight maintenance plan during the same time. Best wishes.
Votes: +1
MB
Mbrissette
23 March 2016
Absolutely my weight sky rocketed! My doctor said it would more than likely cause weight loss but. nope gained ten lbs very rapidly. Stopped taking it.
Votes: +0
SC
Scandaboo
18 Jan 2016
I was on Viibryd for almost a year, and I just stopped taking it a couple of months ago. When I started, I was a size 32/32 jeans (waist/length). By the time I was tapered off, I had shot up to a 38/32 jeans, roughly 185 lbs to 240 lbs, in less than seven months. Oh my god, it was awful. The worst part is, I didn't even have depression! After they realized it was a completely different mood disorder that I had, they took me off of it, but my old psych kept saying "oh, it's not supposed to cause weight gain," and when I told them I saw it not only in myself but many others as well, they were surprised, but still insisted I take it. I'm glad I'm off. I had an INTENSE craving for sugar on Viibryd, and I noticed almost immediately my sugar cravings came to a stop as soon as I tapered down to 10 mg. I'm down to a 36 jean size now, but I have a long way to go before I'm my original size again.
Votes: +0
AN
annod123
20 Dec 2015
Young lady I am 55 yrs old and have suffered from depression all my life. My Dr. put me on Vibryyd about a year ago precisely because of the way it works and because of decreased risk of weight gain than with the others. I've been on every antidepressants you can name but I've never actually loss weight until Vibryyd. I'm also on Wellbutrin 300mg and I have not gained 1lb since taking Vibryyd but I've lost over 30! I don't pretend to understand eating disorders but I can't feel sorry for your 10 lb weight gain because of Vibryyd if it is indeed the reason when ive gained almost 100 lbs over the years because of side effects from other antidepressants and other meds! To answer the question vibryyd IS THE ONLY antidepressant that didn't cause weight gain for me.
Votes: +0
AN
Andremjl
20 Dec 2015
I think the important thing to remember is that all drugs effect people differently. What is frustrating is when you know your body and your typical weight. The scary part about all of these medications is we trust the person prescribing them to us, and when we suggest that this type of weight gain is not normal for us our doctors should listen.. The amount of weight we are talking about is not normal and should be addressed. These medications can be great but they should not cause extreme weight gain, it's not an acceptable side affect...
OC
Oceanwaves
19 Dec 2018
Everyone has their own experiences . Viibryd is a great drug for anxiety but it causes rapid weight gain, bloating, water retention, severe diarrhea and cramps for many many people. I’m tapering off it. I’ll go back on Pristiq
SG
sgedo
17 Dec 2015
Yes i have had a weight gain with viibryd , at first i thought it was me , but now reading other patients taking it are also having the same issue , i want to stop taking it . Ive noticed other effects with this drug also that are a problem me and my physical wellbeing .
Votes: +0
ME
MellonHead45
3 Nov 2015
In the past 2 & 1/2 years I have gained 70lbs. I went to my OBGYN to see if I had a hormone imbalance... I started working out & eating healthy... But still the weight kept coming. I thought it was me but those around me said my eating habits could not be the reason I am gaining all this weight. Then I realized I started on Viibryd 2 & 1/2 years ago... now I'm tappering myself off & am worried about the weight staying on :( has anybody else had the weight just come off or is this going to be a long process?
Votes: +0
CH
chuck1957
12 Oct 2015
daseniura; Yes just the fact that you have to take the Viibryd with food is a good warning but even from the beggining it has always had the side effect of weight gain and hard to get off. Increased weight was one of the first side effects i seen so no way your doctor should have missed this and more so because of your problems.Hope all is going well now.
Votes: +0
CY
Cyd Marie
12 Oct 2015
I've never tried Viibryd... Most antidepressants do cause weight gain. I lost weight while on Pamalar or maybe Pamelor... It worked for 13 years or so then just quit on me. Might want to try this one if its still on the market :-) Best of luck to you.
Votes: +0
GU
guineapigsqueak
11 Oct 2015
I was taking Viibryd for about 4 months and have gained over 10 lbs. I struggle with anxiety. I have clinical depression, but anxiety is something I struggle with every single day. My doctor prescribed Viibryd to me because I was experiencing sexual dysfunction from other SSRIs I have taken, Zoloft, Lexapro, Celexia. I was told by my doctor that this medicine does not have the sexual side effects, or other unwanted issues, such as weight gain, like other SSRIs. He did say though, that this is a new medication that was recently approved to treat depression, so he was not sure exactly the results, just what he has read and heard about.
I started taking Viibryd in May. I was taking the starter pack. The sexual dysfunction improved initially but the longer I took the medication, and the higher the dose, the sexual dysfunction came back. I went down to a dose of 15 mg to curb the sexual dysfunction, and help the depression, but it did nothing. I STOPPED taking the medication in late September becauseI have gained over 10 lbs on Viibryd. I am a 22 year old female, 5'5". I usually weigh about 123 - 126 lbs. I am active, I watch what I eat, I do not drink soda. The weight gain happened RAPIDLY after taking the medicine for several weeks. It was almost over night. I gained weight mainly in my mid section, my upper legs, and my face was very puffy. It almost looked like I was taking a steroid, like prednisone! I stopped the medication and started taking Wellbutrin again, coupled with Buspar to help the anxiety. My sexual dysfunction has disappeared. My face is almost as thin as it was before taking Viibryd. I lost 3 pounds after 1 week of Wellbutrin. I do NOT recommend Viibryd. Any benefit it may have had on my anxiety and depression was overshadowed by insecurity in my body and weight, which is something I have never experienced before in my life... AND the sexual dysfunction was not improved. I know a lot of doctors may not know a lot about the side effects of this medicine, and that's ok because it's a new medicine. The drug companies and pharm reps are selling it like it's a miracle SSRI with no side effects. Spread the word that WEIGHT GAIN IS A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH VIIBRYD. (and sexual dysfunction)
Votes: +0
TH
thatpat
10 Oct 2015
Yes it does cause rapid weight gain! My teen daughter, who was 139 lbs for the prior six years with no diet and no exercise, then gained 45 lbs in 10 months on Viibryd! That was all she could take and tapered off it on her own but now after six months off viibryd and after six months of diet and exercise, the weight still will not come off at all! It's as though the medicine permanently changed her metabolism. Stay away from it. They only tested it for 8 weeks for weight consideration... what good is that? It took a few months on the drug before the weight even began piling on. FU liar drug companies. Anything to make a buck. Nevermind how it makes suffering kids suffer even more.
Votes: +1
GU
guineapigsqueak
11 Oct 2015
Same thing happened to me! The weight gain happened several weeks into taking it. It was a rapid weight gain! Puffy face, bloated tummy, and thicker legs. I started taking Wellbutrin (which helps with appetite control) and after a week I was down 3 pounds, and the face puffiness is gone. Maybe she can talk to her doctor about Wellbutrin?
AN
Andremjl
12 Oct 2015
Get her on wellbutrin I lost all the weight I had gained on viibryd. The weight gain was horrible I gained around 30lbs.
TH
thatpat
19 Oct 2015
When my daughter gained the 45 lbs, I went in with her to talk to her doctor. He did not believe her weight gain was from Viibryd even though I printed out many user reviews which stated to the contrary, he would not even consider the reviews. I asked if he could prescribe Pristiq because I notice many reviews said it helped them lose weight and worked well for antidepressant-resistant people. Well he got in a huff and said online reviews are not scientific and "I'm the doctor!" He did not want me to interfere. Obviously, she is going to have to switch doctors. Frankly I believe user reviews more than claims made by the manufacturer because reviews are right from the experiencer's mouth. My daughter was prescribed wellbutrin years ago back when she was only around 15 yrs old but it did not help... perhaps they had her on too low a dose because of her young age at the time, so that might be worth trying again now that she is older.
yes, I put on at least 9lbs of what I'm guessing is water weight. I feel bloated, have swollen ankles, and my feet hurt. I don't have diabetes but very randomly my blood sugar will crash down into the low 60's when on this med. my wife says I also snore through my cpap machine now and I have been sleeping terribly. the only positive side effect for me is that it delays orgasm.
Votes: +0
IW
iwanturblood
25 April 2015
Yes I agree with the weight gain ,cravings of sweets, and insomnia it is horrific. The weight gain alone of 15lbs is enough to be depressed. Thank you all for your information and thoughts. I thought I was alone and I am so glad I came across this article. I am quitting this horrible drug all together! I also started feeling more depressed and more headaches on the viibrd. It was not helping the depression... The WEIGHT GAIN makes the depression worse. I hope I can lose as quickly as it came on. Thank you all for letting me realize it was the drug viibrd and that it was not doing me any good In reality with the gaining of weight I was sinking into a deeper depression. I also felt I could care less about sex and that isn't helping my relationship. May everyone be in a happier place w/o this drug!
Votes: +0
AB
Abert76
1 July 2015
I actually sold it. And I recently became diagnosed with interstitial cystitis and it causes depression so I got on it been on it and I thought my IC meds were causing the weight gain and just asked my doctor to increase it along with Wellbutrin. And we were trained about the no weight gain and very little % of low sex drive! I have had both happen. I weighed 115 5'5" and I went up to 150 and just recently had to get on adderal which I also work a lot on foot so I lost a little 138 due to adderal so I am now just going to take the Wellbutrin and titrate down but u should titrate like u did in the beginning only the opposite so it doesn't give u other depression side affects. Don't just stop! That is with any SSRI u take! Wellbutrin I was on beige but it caused me lots of GI when they increased it.
But I would rather have that then weight gain! Haven't been in a bikini in 2 years! S thank u! This should be reported to ur doctor and they are supposed to report it to the rep who sells it and they are supposed to contact medical affairs! My suggestion is everyone who had weight and loss of sex drive contact medical affairs yourself like I will so that FDA requires them to further study or put that on their patient information packet! And their website! Forest owned it Actavis bought them so you should go on viibryd website then click on wherever it says contact medical affairs!
BD
bdfiam
8 April 2015
I gained almost 15 pounds by the end of the starter pack! I quickly reduced my mg intake and stopped taking it. I'd rather be a normal weight and depressed than fat and bloated. Plus, it made me really tired and lethargic. All in all I would say the Viibryd was a pretty terrible experience.
Votes: +0
RM
rmhuaira
5 April 2015
I've only been on Viibryd 2 weeks and have gained over 20 lbs. My skin feels so tight and my head is always hurting. I'm stopping this stuff when I see my PCP again. Too much weight gain and discomfort only serves to aggrivate my depression especially when I'm just on the start up pack.
Votes: +2
MI
MissLinda
12 Sep 2014
I am so thankful to find this site and all these responses about weight gain. I was told there would be no problem with weight gain, and like most of you, I have found myself getting fat as a pig... for no good reason; although I too have craved sweets (which is new too me..but I have fought those urges) nonetheless, in a period of about 6 to 7 weeks, I can barely fit into anything without feeling strangled by it & I am so bloated I feel like people will be asking me when i'm due, any minute now. I was fine, actually marvellous at the 10 dose, at 20 I just felt bloated, at 30 I REALIZED this was real weight gain and at 40 I was desperate. After reading all these responses I am convinced it must be the Viibryd. My shrink (the prescriber..he costs a fortune and is totally out of pocket) has cut me back to 20; but I think I need to go back down to 10.
I know I shouldn't cut back on my own, but even a phone call to him costs almost $100. If i wait for my next appointment I think my 35lb will have turned to 50lb. I haven't had eating disorders in the past, so my heart goes out to you. I am certainly worried and perplexed. I am on this medication because my entire family died one by one of cancers, all of them within a three year period... by year 4; I just lost mind. Major depressive order they are calling it, it should be temporary, but I just couldn't even think anymore, let alone do anything that included getting out of bed. It's a dilemma for me, i'm up and active and can think again, but it's only been 7 weeks... I'm not sure I have the right mind set. How sad to have to choose between the ability and frame of mind to get back to activity, but be too embarassed and tired from the weight gain to actually follow through. Or look good... laying in bed depressed, lost and lonely!
Votes: +0
BR
braydensnana
23 Sep 2014
I too gained weight 10 pounds. I stopped taking it and have taken the 10 pounds off. Eight weeks for a study is not a study!!!
TE
TEFBP155
17 Dec 2014
My psych insists Viibryd does not cause weight gain. Not only did I gain 20 lbs within the year. I had left breast pain, toe joint pain (probably from the added weight?) and my craving for sweets was off the charts. I thought about food ALL the time and found myself spending more money with online shopping. Went off the meds without approval and life is MUCH better. I should add, I stopped drinking and friends kept telling me I seemed. "Down" so that's why the doc gave my Viibryd. In retrospect.. I was not down.. I was sober and they needed to adjust to seeing me not act all " silly". What an experience!! Stay away from Viibryd. Lesson learned.. Don't use "new" drugs. There are plenty of tried and true meds out there, don't be a guinea pig for the pharmaceutical companies!!
LI
liv625
30 Dec 2014
I just started viibryd 5 days ago and was told that there would be NO weight gain. I am in recovery from anorexia so this is very important in my mental well being that it does not affect my weight. So I am discontinuing this medication tomorrow. I don't believe I have taken it long enough to have withdrawal symptoms and if I do I have plenty of xanax to get me through it. Thank you all for this important information! !!!
JA
jazz19
1 Feb 2015
Thank you all. I too believed I was going crazy with the weight gain. Last year I lost 60 lbs and work out hard every week but can not shed the 20 lbs I gained. I am self weaning off this crap and am considering if I need medication at all for my anxiety anymore.
