Finished first week of 10 mg Viibryd. I have gained two pounds, and am needing to lose weight. Viibryd is not supposed to cause weight gain, and was wondering if anyone else has experienced this. So far, my depression is much better. Any comments are appreciated!
Has anyone experienced weight gain on Viibryd?
Question posted by loridiane on 17 Sep 2011
Last updated on 26 November 2020
51 Answers Page 3
So the literature states there are few people with weight gain on Viibryd??? Really??? All I can say is, "Forest Pharmaceuticals... where on mother earth did you get those results??? I have reason to believe that they have been rigged!!! " My pharmacist told me that weight gain is VERY common with
Viibryd! I took this medication to get rid of anxiety/depression, and to be honest with you... having gained 17 pounds in 2 months, and now at 175 pounds, I am feeling WORSE than I ever felt before! My sugar cravings are thru the roof, I can't tell when I'm full anymore, I get major bloating, headaches, chest pains when exercising, and bad indigestion.
The headaches, chest pain, and indigestion have significantly improved in the 2 months I've been on it, but I now look like a flipping good year blimp! Out of all the antidepressants/anti-anxiety meds I've ever been on, this is the worst for weight gain! I'm getting off this crap before the week ends!!! (For the note... I started off on 10 mg and ended at 25mg).
I'm so glad I found this, and now I know I'm not alone! I've been on Viibryd for 7 weeks, working up to 40 mg. My doc basically said "take this" in my 5 minute consultation, so I have zero confidence in his opinion of this med. Now, the sugar cravings are out of control! Three years ago I dropped 65 lbs through diet and exercise, and I'm not about to throw all that away! I'm tapering off Viibryd and going to try Sam E instead... Cravings, night sweats and the impending weight gain, not to mention the cost, are just not worth it. Seeing my counselor (who works with prescribing doc) tomorrow to tell her my plan. Also read The Depression Cure and have implemented those lifestyle changes as well. Good luck to all on Viibryd, it's just not for me!
I gained 7 pounds in three weeks!!! I called my doctor, advised me to stop!!! Good luck!!!
Like I wrote I gained 7 pounds!!! I am off Viibryd for 4 days now and I have lost 3 pounds!!! Has anyone experienced itching coming off Viibryd???
Did you wind up losing it all? I have gained 20 lbs so far and she *just* increased me to 30 mg (so maybe the rate of gaining will increase). It would be so awesome if it all melted off quickly for me. I fully plan to either decrease my dosage or stop taking it all together. Having this excess weight has made the positive effects of Viibryd pointless.
I introduced vybrid to my doctor b4 she even heard abt it & since I had tryed every ssri she gave me a script for it . I have to say it knocked out my depression to the point I couldn't cry abt anything & I also had the GI symtoms . However I realized my weight going up not like a whole bunch I was on it abt a 9 months & gained 10 lbs but I struggle w my weight ! It didn't help my anxiety I just started latuda I'm hoping this will help me ! Good luck
I have been taking Viibryd for six month and I too have experience weight gain despite Viibryd claims that it does not cause weight gain. I am currently being monitored monthly by my doctor. I go for monthly weight and blood pressure check ups. My doctor can verify that since starting Viibryd I have gained 20 pounds. I am currently prepping for an upcoming surgery. I have cut many foods and drinks out of my diet. I currently drink only water and green tea. I excerise daily. There is no reason for this weight gain. Viibryd is the only medication that I am currently taking and as I mentioned, it can be proven that my weight has increased significantly since starting Viibryd. I am 40 years old and my weight had been stable prior to starting Viibryd. I have also been experiencing very vivid dreams and nightmares since starting Viibryd. And, unfortunately, I am one of the rare few who have experience sexual side effects on this drug.
On the positive side, Viibryd is working for me. My doctor and I are continuing to monitor these side effects.
I started out on Paxil and gained 10lbs in 4 weeks. My doctor switched me to Viibryd and I have gained another 18lbs in 6 weeks. I started a size 4, I can barely squeeze into a 12 :( I crave sweets horribly.
I decided to ween myself off the stuff. Wish me luck!
I'm soooo glad I found this thread. I was prescribed Viibryd in January and have had continued cravings for sweets and carbs, which is COMPLETELY out of character for me. I've gained 21lbs!! I couldn't figure out why or what had changed in the last few months and the only thing I could come up with is that the weight gain started around the same time I started this medication. So I thought I'd look up side effects and found this. NO more for me! Thanks for posting this.
I feel better after reading all of these comments. While it has helped with the depression, I have gained so much weight AND I am very agititated - more so then ever before. I need to make an appointment with my doctor to change. When I miss taking a pill, (I'm just talking hours) I get extremely agitated and get very itchy and get a red rash everywhere. It's very scary.
I'm so glad I found this site. I'm on cymbalta and my healthcare insurance is charging so much for this drug. My Doctor gave me samples of Viibryd. After reading all the comments I will not take this drug. Thank you all for comments. You saved me because I have diabetes and sugar cravings would be awful for me. I hope everyone stays well. Thanks again. Bon
@stella marie agitated is a good way of putting it. The thing is, I was not "depressed" I have GAD and Panic Disorder. The point is to not be agitated. It's only been 2-3 weeks and I'm still adjusting but whoa. It feels weird. I'm supposed to give it 10 days. We'll see. The only reason I'm on this is because I can't lose weight on Paxil.
Most definitely yes in my case. I've been taking Viibryd for approx. 2 mo. Have been on 40mg x 5 weeks. I have gained about 10 pounds. In the evening I have extreme bloating and feeling of fullness (as if I were 7 months pregnant), and in the morning I have frequent bowel movements, diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramping. My depression is most definitely better, but the physical side-effects are not worth it. I am seeing my Doc next week and requesting another antidepressant.
Just started this Med. Extremely hungry! ! Feeling more upbeat though ;)
I haven't been "slim" since high school but since starting viibryd about 5 months ago I have gain almost 40 pounds. My appitite has increase dramatically. I am tapering myself off now hoping to lose the extra weight. Has anyone who has tapered off had many side effects when doing so?
Hi Lenny!
I have always been "slim" and not for good reasons. My very first experience with an AD was back in HS for my eating disorder (bulimia) SO I am VERY fearful of putting anything into my body that will cause weight gain. Although I am no longer an active bulimic, I still live in that 'fear.' The literature states that weight gain and sexual side effects have not been reported, but this might be because the drug has not even been on the market for a year yet! A soon as I felt myself out on the pounds and, like you, felt my eating gettin gout of control, I quickly took it upon myself to get off the meds. This is not something I recommend, but luckily I was able to get a hold of my primary care physician who put me back on a med (Cymbalta) that I had been on in the past and had no negative side effects (except for getting off of it.) Long story short, I went from 8 weeks on Viibryd 40 mg. to Cymbalta 30 mg. the following day I stopped Viibryd.
I did not have to wean myself off since the 2 have the same horrific side effects when coming off! I guess one just cancels the other out. I do not plan on staying on Cymbalta for the long haul, but could NOT bare to take Viibryd another day! I hope you find something that works for you. Suffering from depression, Bipolar, or any other mental illness is difficult enough. We don't need to add weight gain in to the mix. I wish you the best :)
I'm so glad I saw this site. I've read all the literature for
Viibryd and weight gain is not a side effect but I've gained 20lbs since I started about 2months ago. I like the drug but can't stand the weight gain. I wake up every morning with new resolve to watch what I eat and then proceed to eat my way through to dinner.
Loridiane, I am just reading this post... 7 months after you posted your question. I had been taken Viibryd around 8 weeks and decided to call it quits. I gained quite a bit of weight. Not sure of the exact lbs. (since I don't weigh myself) but my jeans became extremely snug within 3 weeks time. The GI issues were not a problem until about the same time as the weight gain. It did nothing for my depression..actually it made it worse due to the incredible amount of weight gain! I have been on every AD under the sun. The one that seemed to have the least side effects (for me) was Prozac, but it also had little effect on my depression, as well. I would love to hear how Viibryd is working for you!
I have intense sugar cravings taking Vybriid and I've gained 5 lbs since starting it a month ago. It seems like it works well for my depression at 40mgs. If I can't control the cravings, maybe I'll have to stop. One night on my way home from work I was craving sugar so bad I had to stop at the store and buy some sugar cookies with the frosting on top and couldn't wait until I got in the car to eat one, or two, etc. For me, that's the worst side effect so far.
I've had the same issues! One day, after picking up my prescription (oh, the irony) I saw a 4 lb bag of skittles and I developed an instant need for them. I opened that bag as soon as I got in the car and I ate handful after handful after handful for the entire 15 minute drive home. The cravings and intense hunger have been absolutely awful. I was on 20mg at the time of the skittles incident, and now I am on 30mg. After seeing all of these posts and threads, I am definitely going to take steps to get myself on something else. Gaining 20 lbs in 4 months is not my idea of "happy."
I've been on Vibryd for a month or so. My depression is better, but I am getting wicked sugar cravings. Usually it's salt, but never sugar. I am trying my hardest to stay away. I buy things and then throw them out. I am at a size I love, and I am not giving in to this. Try sucking candy. That may satisfy the sugar need. I've been doing that some. I did eat a half a bag of candy yesterday, and I didn't even really like it. I never eat after dinner and now I want something sweet all the time. Terrible!!! But, I'm not depressed for the first time in ages. I'm giving it some more time. I get night sweats too, from it, but I get night sweats from all the nssaids. So if they say this is weight neutral, they are wrong. I've lost weight on most drugs. Not this one. I'm fighting every minute not to eat.
I have always had a sweet tooth. But since I've been on the 40mgs (for approx. 3 months) I cannot stop eating sugar. I am embarrassed to admit, but I use sugar in the raw for my coffee and I will actually POUR the sugar into my mouth. Not once, not twice, but 7 or 8 times. Just eating mouthfuls of raw sugar. WTH!!! I've never experienced this level of craving. My blood sugar level has to be ridiculous. I'm going to show this forum to my dr. next week and see what she says.
I could not eat enough sweets. I gained about 10 lbs in 6 weeks. I am not taking it anymore. It took me awhile to figure it out.
I started this drug back in Aug 2011 and have gained 20lbs. It has worked wonders considering my severe situation I had that July. I also have night sweats real bad. They say it dsnt have these side effects. I have taken antidepressents for years and never experienced this. It is really messing with my eating disorder and bulimia treatment. Going to the Doc today. Just hate starting new stuff as I don't react well to them in the beginning. Have to get this under control
OMG!!! I had not put 2 and 2 together until reading your answer! I also have been experiencing night sweats! I have had trouble throughout the day, but it has been so much worse at bedtime, that it has become difficult for me to sleep! And my poor family has suffered as well! Because the hot feeling is so unbearable, we have had to keep our home pretty cold, and I feel horrible about that, but I just cant cope with how hot I feel! Thank you so much for mentioning this side-effect so I can now discuss it with my doctor!
umm I loathe viibryd. I recieved the sample pack and started on 10m which i took for 4 days and then upped to 20. I took the 20m pills for 3 days. I've been having crazy cravings for sweets like never before and even had a binge episode. also major bloating. It has been about 8 days since my dr's appointment and my dr starting me on the sample pack. The scale this morning told me i have gained 21 lbs. Not even exaggerating.
Have you tried Celexa? If not I recommend it. 20mg worked great for me :)
Darn me too! I have been craving for a lot of food. For example lunch I will have a big meal and after lunch eat bag of Doritos and have a bag of LiveSavers candy. Dinner I will eat dinner and finish with a pint of ice-cream. I am trying to find a way avoiding these cravings. ;(
yes, tried celexa. did not experience bloating and sugar cravings were not as bad, but def still there.
I totally believe you!!! I have been off Viibryd for a few days, back to Cymbalta and all ready dropped 3 pounds. Get off Viibryd!!! I had cravings, major bloating and gas. The morning I awoke with severe swelling of my feet and hands, I called my doctor. Now I have itching??? I wonder is this a side effect of going off Viibryd??? I wish you all the luck!!!
I even checked the scale batteries!
I loathe Viibryd, too. I am going to have to work very hard to get this additional twenty pounds off. It made me crave sweets uncontrollably and the 40 mgs turned me into a zombie. I have the bloating, too. I am hearing more weight gain stories from Viibyrd users than weight loss. Gaining weight makes folks *WAY* more depressed. I'm pissed at the people that manufacture it. They want the big bucks and could give a crap about side effects or patients. Greed is such a big motivator to the drug companies. I'm finding an amino acid at the health food store works way better: 5HTP. check it out. I'm glad I did. Way cheaper. No side effects.
I am on viibryd and I've gained 20lbs in a year and I crave sweets and binge like never before in the pm hours. I need to go off of this.
I've been on this I have no clue how long, 2 or 3 weeks. I am switching off 40mgs of Paxil. When I hit 10mgs I get the withdrawl zaps really bad no matter how slow I withdraw so I just said screw it and started the Viibryd. 10mgs... nothing. 20mgs... panic attacks but no zaps. 40mgs and I feel hyper like when I tried Ephedra to lose weight and now all I can think of is chocolate. It's only been one day and I'm at the tail end of my period and yes, I have been upping faster than I should but I can't take time off and I can't afford to be zapping and irritable and tell my boss what I really think of my job, so I'm trying to balance back out. I was fine on Paxil except for the weight gain. There was the sex thing too but I have no interest in dating while I have this crap job anyway.
I didn't realize it was the viibryd, but I have gained weight and have sweets craving. I'm taking viibryd and paxil even though they are the same type of medication, that's what I need to keep the depression in check. It's really frustrating. I input all my calories and keep track of not going over 1500, yet I still gain weight.
I kind of want to try the Omni liquid and diet, but I haven't looked into how it could effect my medications. Has anyone else gone on that kind of diet?
Related topics
depression, weight loss (obesity/overweight), weight, viibryd
Further information
- Viibryd uses and safety info
- Viibryd prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Viibryd (detailed)
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