I am prescribed to take lexapro but after reading MANY reviews I see that they all involve serious weight gain. I was wondering if anyone who uses this for anxiety purposes or other have this problem?
Paxil and weight gain?
Has anyone used Lexapro for anxiety and gained weight?
Question posted by sashaw9589 on 30 June 2010
Last updated on 26 May 2024
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113 Answers Page 8
dmfdjttor57
2 Aug 2010
My brother, of whom i am guardian, has been on Lexapro for a few years and he has lost weight, but he had other different types of medications he takes and has diabetes type 2. I do know that many of the antidepressants cause weight gain. I took Effexor for about a year, found it to be a wonderful drug for my depression, but gained about 50 lbs. In doing what you did, looking it up, i found that almost everyone that took it gained weight, and also, that getting the weight off after coming off the drug seemed to take an unusually long period of time. Right after that, I began a decline in my health that prevented me from exercising and so it has really been a long process to lose any of that weight, I now have about 20-25 lbs. to go and will be happy again.
No, i agree with you, I am not one that can be happy with extra weight on me, that adds to my depression more than anything, although I've heard what you heard many times; wouldn't you rather... NO! I want my body back and if you want to call me vain go ahead, I will not argue that point. Paxil CAN add a bit of weight too, but not as bad as the Effexor was and it was the first antidepressant i really gave a chance and it worked great for me for 2 years. Prozac is one that is known more for weight loss than gain, but everyone's chemical make up is different, so you'll have to try things out I guess and continue to do research as you have. Good luck.
Dede
nylene
30 July 2010
i took it for a while and it gave me chest pain
Inactive
12 July 2010
Hi I was on that for a while, I don't remember it causing me to gain any weight. Umm that anti deppressent is not known to help anxiety at all. It didn't help me.
For Paxil it can cause weight gain and does help with anxiety. I was on that too.
cleaningup
9 July 2010
I didn't initially, but by 6 months after starting - I had gained 20 pounds. This could be due to a lack of anxiety... I usually found eating better than normal and increasing exercise would shift any extra weight - but this weight was stubborn and I was always a healthy eater and exerciser and never had weight issues before. Strangely too - at this time I didn't care I was feeling disconnected from any concern about what my body looked like. I suppose it was that peaceful state of indifference that in some ways is good to strive for - but perhaps not so great to achieve when it is drug induced.
Whidbeyhead
12 July 2010
That's so interesting that you mention the "disconnect" about concern about how your body looks. That really describes how I feel, too. As someone who has always been very concerned (obsessed?) about body image, it is interesting that it really doesn't bother me how I look now, other than how my clothes (don't) fit. When I buy larger clothing that fits, I am indifferent to my weight. It is a great peaceful state - however, not particularly healthy to accept major weight gain and lack of drive to fix it. LOVE the feeling of peace, tho... the only time in my 47 years that I have had it is on Lexapro. So is it worth the tradeoff? Do any others have similar experience?
cleaningup
12 July 2010
Well I was feeling disconnected to everything. I was happy to be by myself and not socialise, go out or strive ambitiously... It was such a relief to be so peaceful though so for a long time I was content with the trade-off but I have tapered off and am attempting to be completely drug free now.
mezoz
23 Oct 2010
Found your post about not caring struck a chord. I am unhappy about what I see happening to my body but at same time don't care. I worries me on some level though as I have gone up 2 dress sizes and on the verge of going up another. I find Lexapro dulls desire/motivation as well as anxiety symptoms. You see what is happening but shrug it off. Can't be good for ultimate health.
Sssmarks
21 Aug 2017
So felt disconnected on Lexapro which is not entirely a good thing, feel much better and lime my normal self again now i've been off it for 3 months. I barely left the house and was always hungry and tired in the 9 months I was on it.
hopeful30
4 July 2010
i have been on Lexapro 20 Mg since 2005 -2006. Started at 170 pounds, am 200 hundred now. 30 years old. I still like the drug but recently tried to get off of it and have now doing just plain terrible. just trying to get through weekend to see doctor on tuesday.
rebeccann
13 Oct 2010
I had been on lexapro since 2005 10 mg. daily, just recently weened off of it and have been off for about a month. It's horrible, all of my old anxiety symptoms are back & worse than before. I just started back up again today in fact 10 mg. again. I did go from 120 lbs. in 2005 to $145 lbs. today but to me, it's worth it, better to be a little heavier & happy than miserable @120 lbs. right? Good luck to you, hope you feel better soon!
Inactive
3 July 2010
I like Clonazepam, been using it for about 6 years.
Ld1226
12 Aug 2021
Totally not for depression, lexapro is a diff Medication. And just like alprazolam, clonazepam causes weight gain.
Whidbeyhead
3 July 2010
I have been on 10 mg of Lexapro for anxiety and moderate depression for around 5 years. I love the way that it has helped me with feeling better... however I have had horrible weight gain. I started out at 135 and am now 165 lbs. I have gained it primarily in my waist and hips... i have always had a flat stomach. At the same time that I started the Lexapro, I moved and became involved in a major remodel, so my lifestyle changed and didn't have much time for exercise like I used to, so I can't say for sure that it's because of the drug and not middle age. However, the scale and dress size keep increasing... it is very interesting to read people's experiences that are so similar to mine. I hate to think of going off of the drug that makes me feel so much better, but this has to stop...
MomG0204
24 Oct 2017
were you ever able to loose the weight? I am experiencing the same thing.
Meg12345
9 Jan 2018
I have been on Escitalopram (Lexapro) for two years. I started my medication March of 2016, 20mg. My weight was 125lb, I usually could eat what ever I want because my metabolizing was so fast, but this medication rapidly decreases your metabolism. Call your pharmacy they will say the same thing. I now weigh 165lbs. I don’t eat bad either. I don’t eat perfect but I am on average a very healthy person. So bummed about that
Meg12345
9 Jan 2018
Going from 125lbs to 165 lbs in two years taking my Lexapro, I am week two of work out and extreme diets to try to get my weight down now. I blame this medication completely. I am now tying to eat like a bunny and get off of these when spring comes.
kkmerr123
16 April 2018
@meg12345 Do you work out a bunch and really try to eat healthy? I’m trying to go back on it because i felt amazing on it and i’m scared of the weight gain and wondering if i can beat it?
jh0000
13 Sep 2018
I’ve had the same problem, I wasn’t as small as you but stayed between 145 and 150 for a majority of my early 20s and since August of last year (starting Lexapro) I gained 30 lbs and it’s also in my stomach/butt/hips and I’ve also always had a pretty flat stomach and now it’s gotten out of control. I got off the medicine because it wasn’t worth the weight gain to me (made me more anxious). It’s been 3 weeks or so and I’ve been working out like crazy and eating healthier and I haven’t seen a ton of difference yet but will just have to keep it up. I’m hoping to read some success stories of losing weight to help my anxiety about the weight gain! All the best to you
Inactive
30 June 2010
I was on lexapro for about three weeks, all it did was make me depressed and I myself actually lost weight. So hopefully other people out there can give you some more input from their stories. Remember everybody reacts to medication differently. It might be worth trying it out for a week or two, you should know by then. Someone once said to me would'nt you rather be happy and less anxious with a little extra weight, heck no being overweight myself would just add to my stress and self esteem issues. Hope I helped a bit. Good luck
brycetrenton
22 Sep 2010
I use to take Lexapro for my depression and anxiety. It helped me alot but it took at least 2 wks before it to set in. I was happier always laughing!!! even boost my sex drive again!! However, I did begin to notice that my weight did go down some. but it went back up then down. it never stayed the same.I wasn't worried about the weight. It was never to much or to little. I thought I looked good and had a personality.
Inactive
8 June 2011
It helped me lose weight. I was Zoloft for 6 months and it gave me cravings. I don't have them on either Celexa or Lexapro for anxiety. They were all about as effective for anxiety which is par. You have to try SSRIs until you find which suits you best. It doc said in a nutshell it all comes down to patient preference when it comes to SSRI's. One will seem to agree with you more.
californiagal75
17 Aug 2013
Hi Anonymous
I was on Lexapro several years ago and I gained weight also and it made more depressed. There are many meds out there so research and write down the ones you like best and tell your Dr you want and need a different medicine. By the way Depakote did the same thing to me so beware of that medicine also.
jean1101
17 March 2017
The best medicine too take with no weight gain is welbutin I have lost weight by taking it
Related topics
lexapro, paxil, weight loss (obesity/overweight), anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, weight, anxiety and stress
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