Does anyone notice weight gain while using amitriptyline?
Question posted by jezz10 on 18 Feb 2010
Last updated on 23 June 2023
24 Answers Page 2
I have been on a high dose of amitriptyline (150 mg) for over a yeah and I have gained a huge amount of weight.I have always weighed between 53-55kgs except when pregnant.I now weigh 82 kgs.I have very strong cravings for sweets.its a real struggle not to eat them.I had to go to my doctor to try and get off it.I'm on it because of bad post natal depression and even worse anxiety.I can't stay on endep because I'm becoming more and more depressed about my weight.I near kill myself with yoga and the treadmill only to lose 2kgs... from what I've learnt low doses of this Med doesn't case weight gain.I am also really tired all the time...
this is just one of the side effects (or should I say effects of this particular group of drugs
Hi i guess i was one of the luck ones, i didn't gain any weight or get any bad side effects
Yes, I sure did, 20lbs and I could have kept going. I just weaned off finally from 50 mg to 25mg and then just stopped. Now I'm hoping to see the lbs melt off.
I started taking 75 mg of Amitriptyline 2 months ago for chronic headaches. My appetite has increased, and I believe that my metabolism has decreased. I've gained 12 lbs in 8 weeks even though I exercise every day. I don't like it at all! I've made a follow-up appointment to talk with my doctor about options. I appreciate reading your input, so that I know I'm not in this alone.
I started taking 75 mg of Amitriptyline 2 months ago for chronic headaches. My appetite has increased, and I believe that my metabolism has decreased. I've gained 12 lbs in 8 weeks even though I exercise every day. I don't like it at all! I've made a follow-up appointment to talk with my doctor about options. I appreciate reading your input, so that I know I'm not in this alone.
Yes, yes , YES!!! it took me 4 months and 40 pounds before I realized which medicine it was!!! Switch now and save your self esteem , your metabolism. Not to mention your waist line.. I don't know if you'll read this honey.. but I still haven't lost it.. and it's just terrible :( I wish you luck. Take charge of what they are giving you!
Do you mind if I ask you what you were taking the drug for? I'm taking it to keep me asleep at night. 100 milligrams. I've tried to go off the drug twice, by cutting back to 75 milligrams, and both times I went right back to not being able to sleep at night. How were you able to go off the drug so easily?
AM I THE ONLY ONE??? I was put on the drug (carelessly by a doctor) and gained 30 lbs in 3 months. I was properly weaned from it but cannot get the weight off. It is as if my metabolism has been intrinsically changed and is not "resetting". Has anyone else experienced this? I am a Type II Diabetic and cannot afford to have these extra pounds on me. I worked really hard to get my A1c down to "normal" with diet and exercise ... until I was put on the Ambertriptyline UGGGGG!!!
Hi I know this is an old post, but I just went through the same exact thing! 50 mg and in 12 weeks I gained 14 pounds! I am going to stop taking it slowly. How long did it take you to lose the weight?
I've been on amitriptyline for years with NO weight gain & NO side effects. I had been taking the generic made by Qualitest Pharmaceuticals for years & never gained an ounce and had NO side effects for years. Then the mail order pharmacy sent me a generic made by Sandoz Inc. I gained TONS of weight in less than 4 months and I had nearly every side effect on the list! But I didn't know they were side effects. I thought I was sick. I went to many Doctors because in addition to the weight gain, I felt very, very sick. I thought I must have had a stomach tumor as I was so swelled up and in so much pain (even had an ultrasound.) Then, I had to take meds for vertigo (severe unexplained dizziness,) and meds for severe reflux (heartburn.) I even went to the eye doctor for blurred vision and got steroid eye drops! I had tons of costly tests. Finally, I figured it out myself.
All of my problems were identical to the side effects of amitriptyline. It was not a coincidence. Guess what? Nothing was wrong with me! Specifically, it was the amitriptyline made by Sandoz Inc because the problems all began when I started taking the Sandoz Inc generic and they all went away when I switched back to the Qualitest Pharmaceuticals generic. About 2 wks ago, I stopped the Sandoz Inc. generic and went back to the Qualitest Pharmaceuticals generic. I've already lost 7 lbs and all of my problems have disappeared. I don't need any of the other medication (which was treating my side effects.) ALL GENERICS AREN'T THE SAME. Try a generic made by a different company. The Qualitest Pharmaceuticals generic works the best for me! NO weight gain and NO side effects! I feel great again! All pharmacies carry generics made by different companies. Try a different generic. The pharmacy will tell you who makes the generic that they carry - call all the pharmacies first! You won't believe the difference. I hear It's different for everyone though. The generic that works best for me may not be the same as the generic that works best for you. But I swear by Qualitest Pharmaceuticals! I was taking tons of meds (to treat SIDE EFFECTS.) I wasn't even sick! Ask your doctor! Read up on it! It's true! Best of luck!
WOW! That is amazing. I take 25 mg of amitriptyline and 100 mg of topamax at bed time for migraines. I have noticed a weight gain and decrease in energy. I am not entirely sure that the amitriptyline is helping as much as the topamax because when I ran out I felt a lot better (but the doctor seems to think that I need both). Your information was very helpful and I know that I will be looking into who makes this version of amitriptyline. Hopefully I can find a better version for me like you found for you. Thank you for the information.
Hi i know this is an old post. But please tell me where you sourced qualitest amitriptyline. Im gaining weight which is soul destroying. Catherine
CVS orders Qualitest meds. Not all pharmacies order from the same place. There are two CVS within 20 miles of each other in my area. They both order from different places. Talk to the pharmacist they may be able to order the specific brand. If you can't get it there, Walgreens seems to be customer friendly. They tell me they can get me any brand at my request. At least the one in my area. Good luck.
CVS orders Qualitest meds. Not all pharmacies order from the same place. There are two CVS within 20 miles of each other in my area. They both order from different places. Talk to the pharmacist they may be able to order the specific brand. If you can't get it there, Walgreens seems to be customer friendly. They tell me they can get me any brand at my request. At least the one in my area. Good luck.
CVS orders Qualitest meds. Not all pharmacies order from the same place. There are two CVS within 20 miles of each other in my area. They both order from different places. Talk to the pharmacist they may be able to order the specific brand. If you can't get it there, Walgreens seems to be customer friendly. They tell me they can get me any brand at my request. At least the one in my area. Good luck.
I asked my pharmacist about what you said in your comment, because I am gaining a ton of weight on Amitriptyline. He said the weight gain is caused by the actual drug itself, which is the same in all brands, not by the fillers that different brands use. Any thoughts on this? I'm just trying to figure this damn drug out. I need it for sleep but the weight gain is insane.
Hi. I have been on 150mg at night for nerve pain and I am horrified at being weighed at Hospital. I’m someone who don’t do diets etc and I’ve put on 4 stones in weight since being changed to amatriptiline. I had never been more than 9 stone mark. I have become disabled also so on top of that and weight gain I don’t even go out of the house and I feel like I don’t want to take them any more been on them for around 4-5 years. Any advice how to lose the weight I’d be very grateful
This drug can cause severe fluid retention. I stopped taking it and lost 25 pounds in two or three days.
I never realized that it could make you gain weight until I read some of these answers. WOW what an eye opener for me. I was wondering why I was gaining weight when I don't do anything but throw up alot due to cancer issues right now. I am on 50mg at bedtime and have actually gained some weight back I really didn't want to but I did and this seems to explain why. I will mention it to the doctor because they couldn't figure out why I was gaining now. Thanks guys you have helped in a way you may not know.
Amitriptyline side affects include weight gain. I found this out the hard way - after I gained 15 pounds. It reduces your metabolism, makes you crave creamy, high fat foods and increases your appetite. Once I knew that, I was able to get the weight gain under control.
I take another version of that drug called Nortriptyline for prevention of migraines. Yes, I have noticed weight gain also. It's one of those things you just have to weigh the side effects against the the good it will do you. Although I am going to stop taking this drug as soon as I can.
I take 10mg of amatryptaline for G.I., anxiety, depression. I have been taking it for about six months. It is working wonders. I have not gained 1 pound, on the other hand , it helps me not to eat from anxiety.
I have been taking 10 mg of amitriptyline at 6:00pm for the past 6 months. I take it for G.I., problems, anxiety, depression, add
and insomnia. So far, it is working wonders. I have not gain weight, on the other hand, it controls my anxiety from eating. I have maintained my weight, even though I’m not working out as I was before I started taking.
I have been taking 10 mg of amitriptyline at 6:00pm for the past 6 months. I take it for G.I., problems, anxiety, depression, add
and insomnia. So far, it is working wonders. I have not gain weight, on the other hand, it controls my anxiety from eating. I have maintained my weight, even though I’m not working out as I was before I started taking.
I started taking elivil oct 2016 and I have went from 76 pounds to 117 pounds!! Now I'm afraid that if I stop taking it I'm gonna loose the weight I have dreamed of having
What is G I ?? Does it affect your stomach then?, I've grown bigger bust and gained 2 and half stone
That is one of the side effects for that class of drugs.
I know this is an old post. But get Dr Fung”s book The Obesity Code. He says that it’s your insulin level that sets your body’s weight. Keto or intermittent fasting can reduce your insulin level. Then your body’s set weight will lower.
Related topics
weight loss (obesity/overweight), amitriptyline, weight
Further information
- Amitriptyline uses and safety info
- Amitriptyline prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Amitriptyline (detailed)
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