Hello, I'm gaining weight on this medication and have not changed my diet at all, does anyone else have this problem? Thank You
Viibryd - does this cause weight gain?
- Asked
- 24 Oct 2011 by ScrubJay
- Updated
- 21 December 2020
- Topics
- weight, diet, viibryd, medication
25 Answers

Weight gain is not a stated side effect of Viibryd but may be a possibility. Actually manufacturers specifically note that it does not cause weight gain. Please see link below.
I was on Cymbalta for 6 months and gained about 5 lbs. I didn't feel that much better so my doc switched me to Viibryd. I was already displeased with the weight gain because I'm 5'5" and went from 123lbs to about 128lbs.
I went from 128lbs to 138lbs within this first month on Viibryd. Similar to the comments made by others - it's all through my waist and thighs. Nothing in either my diet or daily activity has changed... I cannot fit into many of my clothes now!
I'm a tiny 107 lbs, 5'3". I've been on viibryd for a little over 2 months and now I'm 117. That's a huge weight gain for me an if you can imagine, I can't fit into my size 0 pants anymore. I'm loving viibryd except for this side effect. It pretty much sucks! I'm a very healthy eater and work at a gym so I workout 5-6 days a week, and pretty hardcore too. So a 10 pound weight gain for me is pretty much a blow.
I totally agree, it has made me gain wt too and I usually don't gain wt. very quickly at all..so it has to be this medication, I've gained 15lbs in 2 months and in the mid section mainly and my jeans don't fit now!!!
Viibryd Queen checking in here. I certainly did not need a drug that would cause weight gain. initially lost around 8 lbs during the first couple months on Viibryd.. I'd say after 9 mos my total weight loss is around 11 lbs. I'm puzzled by those who say they have experienced bizarre, nearly impossible weight gain with this drug. Except in cases of significant water retention, drugs don't simply CAUSE weight gain-but eating more or unhealthfully does. I'm with RonMan. I think there must be something else going on but... each individual is different.
Best Regards to all of you.
Frenchie
Humm I never thought of water retention. But that would make since in the weight gain factor especially since none of my habits have changed. I will have to check with my doctor, as i know there is a water pill you can take to fix water retention.
I've just finished the starting pack of Viibryd my MD gave me, and am now on a daily dose of 40mg a day. The upside? No sexual side-effects. Yippee! The downside? Weight gain. It's a huge, disappointing bummer. I've gained close to 30 pounds and am now wearing a snug size 14 in jeans (vs a size 10). I'm 5'8" and treadmill (uphill, sweat, pant, etc... ) regularly, so even if I'm eating more, I shouldn't have gained this much weight.
I have been on viibryd for 5 months now and the upside is that it has really worked for me. The downside is that I have gained 34 pounds. My diet has definitely changed since I constantly crave sweets. Has anyone got off the medication and everything seem to be fixed with depression and weight?
I totally agree, it has made me gain wt too and esp in the mid section. I'm not taking it anymore. I gained about 15 lbs in 2 months and noticed a wt gain of 2 lbs in the past week again..this is so upsetting. I'm glad others have told their opinions, cause the web site says it doesn't cause wt gain. I don't agree.
Yes, it did for me. I've gained 20 pounds within 6 months. It did control my depression but I can't afford the additional weight gain being a diabetic.
My doctor switched me from Cymbalta to Viibryd because of weight gain. I am on my 2nd month of this medication and I have gone from 225 to 246. My hunger and cravings have increased drastically. Im dropping down to the 20 mg like someone stated above and see if that helps... otherwise I will be stopping this all together. My depression started over weight gain and now seems to be worse as I cannot wear many of my clothes... I was a size XL and 14 in jeans and now my tops are 3x and I cannot fit into my jeans!! Grrr!!
I know what you mean I have been on it for almost a year and I went from wearing a 14 and l-XL to 22 and 2-3x. I hate it, the only up side is my mood, and my sex life :)
I took Viibryd for 2 months and have gained alot of weight I always was 115 and now I'm 139! I'm so disgusted with myself... My stomach is thicker and I have never been this heavey eaven after having my two children... Plz if u are not wanting weight gain stay awayyyfrom this medicine!!! (Huge warning) I am so upset no jeans fit me anymore and it only started when I started this medicine.. I have been stopped for months and yet the weight still keeps adding! Beware!!
Yes I have been on Viibryd 40mg now for almost a year an while all my other issues have disappeared, I have gained a ton of weight, and I too have not changed any of my activities or diet.
I had been on Wellbutrin and Prozac for 11 years (Prozac first, then added the Wellbutrin) and found it very affective other than the sexual side effects. Decided with my doctor to try Viibryd to address those. Unfortunately, with no change in eating habits, I've gained 10 pounds in three months. I haven't seen any huge improvement with the sexual issues either :(
I have an appointment to try something else. Thinking about going back to the Wellbutrin and finding something to replace the Prozac ( or maybe try Wellbutin alone to see how that goes). Anyone feel successful with just Wellbutrin?
I have read a lot of reviews from different sites and yes we are all different and are different ages... But for one thing diarrhea,stomach growling, GI issues seemed to be a 90% problem... I was on pain meds for back problems is why i didnt have diarrhea at first. We all know pain med cause constipation but when i stopped it the diarrhea appeared and when they put me up to 40mg it was totally explosive starting at 4am several x during the day.That right there is not safe. We are losing important nutrients and dehydrating ourselves. I did crave sweets and gained 5lbs in the short time of 3 months till I realized this was the scariest thing I have ever endured... I am not computer savvy so after I had almost all the side effects and doctor said noone has reported them. I felt I was losing my mind (seriously) so i was told to google or ask .com drug reviews.com mayo clinic and several other and TADA!!!
There it all was the symptoms I was having, I was not crazy at all, it is this drug... I have been on lexapro which worked great I was going through the change and then I tried to quit and couldn't and of course I was put on pristiq didnt work but 4 mths Then Effexor XR which helped 8 mths and never ever had these side effects till this EVIL DRUG VIIBRYD... Was introduced... I started sept-2012 and have decided to get off it. Like i said they took me down to 20 mg end of march 2012 and was devastating, horrible,so I have decided may 8 2013 I have lowered it to 15 mg and have some itching issues. Then I will go to 10 mg... then hopefully will go every other day n then be off... I'm on buspar 30 mg and I take Xanax .5 in morning and .5 in evening to help with the withdrawal issues. i am Sleeping better no nitemares or muscle cramps ,The jittery and papaltations and the paralization in sleep has stopped thank you GOD. I am hoping this will go smoothly. I do hope all of you find your answers and yes we do not react the same but too many bad reviews are enough for me... it has eased my mind that it was not only me...
Yes on weight gain! My prescriber told me it does not make you gain weight but I have gained 35+ lbs in the few months that I have been on it! I am also craving sweets that I never crave but still eat pretty healthy. Yes, none of my clothes fit. I had to buy a new wardrobe. Exercise has done nothing. I am bloated constantly. Clearly the manufacturer lies! Also, I’m still depressed so this is a bad side affect as any. It appears to be a weight gain sugar pill.
As with most, if not all, psychotropic medications there is a risk of weight gain with Viibryd for a small number of people:
"Metabolic
Common (1% to 10% of users): Increased appetite, increased weight"
Metabolic changes include increased appetite and changes to fat storage mechanisms. Proper diet and exercise can help to minimize excessive weight gain but it's unavoidable in a minority of unlucky patients.
WC
I have been on a few different antidepressants in the last several years including Zoloft which I gained weight on. The past 8 to 9 months I have been on Prozac and gained 10-12 lbs. I have just switched to Viibryd because my doctor said it should not cause weight gain. I hope the doc is right. It is very frustrating to me that I need meds to keep from being depressed. They usually work well for me which I am thankful for but the weight gain is frustrating. It is like the meds make me crave food constantly.
This question as well as the responses are really concerning me. I just started taking Viibryd and I'm absolutely terrified of gaining more weight. Between Lexapro and Effexor, I gained 45 lbs in a year. My doctor told me that Viibryd actually promotes weight loss. I'm sure hoping she's right...
Further Information
- Viibryd uses and safety info
- Viibryd information for Healthcare Professionals (includes dosage details)
- Side effects of Viibryd (detailed)
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