I was on prozac for about a year and it has helped a lot, me and my husband are now trying to have a baby so i stopped but unfortunately gained about 15lbs in 3 months! Didn't gain any while i was on it but as soon as i stopped the weight just kept on coming! Is this normal? When will i start to lose it?
Prozac - Anyone experience weight gain AFTER they stopped?
Question posted by Ashm426 on 19 Aug 2012
Last updated on 15 June 2023
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
37 Answers Page 3
dgronk
16 May 2019
My son abruptly stopped taking Prozac (10 mg every other day). The doctor said on such a small dose he didn't have to taper down over time. He is 5'4" and his weight went from 122 to 150 in 1.5 months. Huge weight gain for someone his size. He looks like he swallowed a watermelon. His skin is very tight, and he said he feels like he is going to explode. He has been an avid runner and biker and health club enthusiasts for many years and those habits didn’t change. He is only now starting to have trouble keeping his exercise intensity up due to the recent and rapid weight gain. He has reduced his calories down to 500 – 800 per day and weight still going up. I would believe this would have to be fluid retention as his caloric intake seems to low and energy expenditure too high to increase body fat. Don’t let anyone tell you that weight gain is a simple math formula of calories in vs. calories out.
That is total hogwash. For some maybe, but not always the case. This weight gain is directly related to coming off the Prozac. Can only hope his body will re-adjust over time. If not, I believe this will have a very negative effect on his quality of life and health over time.
Dreya77
11 Jan 2018
Yes you will gain weight. I gained 30 lbs after I stopped due to not having insurance for a year. Just got back on it . Changed no habits actually quit drinking and still gained. I’m not a doctor but nothing else was changed . You’d think I’d lose weight not drinking wine everyday 1-2 bottles
Anguyenjge
24 Oct 2016
Hi! I recently stopped taking prozac after being on it for a year, because I had moved out of state and simply... Became lazy to go to the doctors. I had mild withdrawals compared to lexapro- I GAINED 15lbs in 1 month after stopping... I feel horrible that it happened. I am having to take it again.
Daisy006
9 Aug 2016
Hi yes I also have gained 3 kgs in 6 weeks after going off them! And I weaned off them. I exercise more and eat healthy, and I know all about muscle weighs more than fat as I'm a physio therapist . I'm long distance training. Very odd and frustrating but will preserver for 3 months and hope to lose weight and go back to normal !
Foxbat1
25 Sep 2019
Hi! Did your weight even out when you went back on? Would love to know if your body stopped gaining weight and how you did it.
MLSH1
26 Sep 2019
I went back on about a month ago... I am still kicking myself that I went off bc my stomach is still the largest it's ever been and even though I've been dieting and lost the weight I gained, I still have this bloated huge thick stomach that I think I'm now stuck with for life. I went back on bc I didn't want to risk gaining more.
confusedabtprozac
13 March 2020
Has anyone found any improvements? I know I’m years late. Did it ever get better? All of the weight gain is around my stomach too
Foxbat1
14 March 2020
Hello ! Ok yikes the medical community really need to get on board with this. It makes me really sad to hear of
The shared struggles on this forum. I stopped weighing myself after i put on 30lbs in 6-8 weeks after stopping 40mg flux. It has now been 10 months since coming off...
Good news, y'all!!! I have lost most of the weight that piled on. It is 100% hormonal. I still now have fat around my thighs and tummy (a bit like after having a baby) still but estimate I have lost half what I put on.
So, there is hope! I'm not yet the weight I was before I came off but the terrible water retention has gone. I am probably 10lbs away from my original weight. I feel now that exercise/ weight training will get the rest of it off.
Good luck !!
Adonees
20 Aug 2012
Well, if you eat properly and exercise there is no way you gain weight.
The fact is: doesn't matter what the medicine does or doesn't, if you don't eat extra, then there is no way the kilograms will come into you.
Best of luck.
Note: Whole grain products, only have a little more fibers, which doesn't change the fact that they are still carbohydrates.
jeniD
15 Jan 2018
I wanted to weigh in... This statement is untrue. Since our bodies aren't math problems calories in/out doesn't apply to everyone and every situation. Our bodies assimilate food differently and depending on medication, hormonal changes, thyroid changes etc.
Prozac is also known to be a slight stimulant and on the medication you might notice a little weight-loss or remain weight neutral, unlike other SSRIs. So coming off and gaining weight wouldn't be unusual. Also, if you are actively trying to have a baby, your body may be "preparing" and your hormones are definitely changing. The more sex you have the more estrogen your body makes and that can also increase weight gain.
balbanese
19 Aug 2012
If you didn't wean off according to the physician's instructions it's possible this is from that. This symptom along with pregnancy is a valid reason to bring it up to your Dr, as you may know, child bearing will also cause weight gain. See if your Doc has any suggestions as to all of these things,
Inactive
19 Aug 2012
If you stopped abruptly (cold turkey), and did not reduce the dose gradually, under medical supervision, you experienced withdrawal from this SSRI, and amongst them is weight gain, other withdrawals , so you know, are:
Insomnia, irritability, tiredness, headache, confusion, dizziness, etc.
With regards to the weight, I suggest eating healthy, exercising, talking to your prescriber and seeing a Nutritionist.
All the best,
maso.-
Related topics
prozac, weight loss (obesity/overweight), weight, baby
Further information
- Prozac uses and safety info
- Prozac prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Prozac (detailed)
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