Celexa and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 2)

• hut...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 30, 2022

For Anxiety and Stress "This was really hard at first, and I literally couldn’t stay awake during the day. I switched to taking it at night, and that helped a lot. For a while—about 8 months—it was working well, but then anxiety worsened, so I increased to 20 mg. On 20 mg, in 2 months, I gained 30 lbs. No matter how much I ran or worked out, the weight would not go away. Even though it was helping anxiety, I decided to get off of it. I’ve been off for about a month and currently feel much better. I didn’t realize I was actually having a lot of low feelings on the medicine. I’m switching, but I hope this works for you if you’re reading this! Everyone is different. It sucks that we have to go through a trial-and-error phase."

• Anonymous
• November 17, 2010

For Postpartum Depression "Celexa worked wonders for my postpartum depression. My depression started later than normal, my child was 9 months old. At first, I felt 'out of it,' like I couldn't concentrate. After a week, that went away. I also have mild OCD, and it helped that too. I did gain a little weight and was craving food more. My husband says he noticed a good change in me, a better mood."

• tra...
• August 17, 2010

For Depression "I've been taking citalopram for about 8 months now for mild depression and anxiety. I started off taking 10 mg and have slowly increased to 30 mg. I haven't noticed any change in my low-grade depression, but have noticed that I'm less anxious in social situations. I'm going to stop taking it after talking to my doctor because the side effects aren't worth it for me. I sweat profusely, which offsets the social anxiety benefit as it embarrasses me to be so sweaty (it's summer in South Carolina). I'm also really tired all the time and constantly crave food. So far I've gained 15 lbs since starting citalopram. Overall, the minor benefit doesn't outweigh the crappy side effects I'm having."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 12, 2018

For Anxiety and Stress "Celexa worked well for me for about 1.5 years. I think it helped anxiety over depression. However, these past few months, the anxiety has been creeping back and the depression is in full force. I did adjust well when first taking it, even when I bumped up to 20 mg. I think there might be a craving component to it that caused me to keep weight on. Otherwise, it worked OK, but now it's time for something different (I wish I didn't have to change)."

• Anonymous
• November 18, 2012

For Depression "I started out liking Celexa because it calmed me down. I had way fewer temper tantrums. But now, after three months, I am tired all the time, and I've gained a ton of weight despite constant exercise and even dieting more. Other friends of mine lost weight on it, unfortunately, all bodies are different, and mine did not respond so positively. I'm calling my doctor tomorrow to try Wellbutrin."

• Mis...
• March 3, 2012

For Depression "I've been taking Celexa for a few weeks now. I've gained a lot of weight, so much in fact we thought I was pregnant! AND I'M NOT! I've been feeling nauseous and having cramps. I don't want to have sex anymore, and when we do, I can't have an orgasm. My period is down to just barely anything (I have an IUD that I've had for 3 years). Celexa does make me a happier person. I'm playing with my kids now, which before I wouldn't. I just wanted to be left alone and wanted to play my computer. Now I do things with my family, I feel happier."

• Cri...
• March 11, 2021

For Depression "I was prescribed Celexa for depression. It worked great, and I felt much better, but I gained weight. I was famished all of the time, and eating made no difference. I gained 40 pounds in three months. Went from a size 6 to a size 14 so fast that I skipped sizes 10 and 12 entirely. I was over 50 with a history of overweight females and diabetes in my family. The doctor was unresponsive to my concerns and said that “we” were going to keep taking the Celexa. I didn’t argue with her, even though I knew that “we” weren’t going to keep taking it. I stopped the Celexa. I had no withdrawal symptoms after stopping cold turkey, but it was work taking off any of the weight I had gained, I have never been back to a size 6. The depression eventually came back. After living with it and suicidal urges for a year, I was started on Wellbutrin. Other meds were added as other symptoms became evident (mostly anxiety). It’s okay, though. Life is good."

• zil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 29, 2015

For Anxiety and Stress "I suffer from anxiety, OCD, bipolar, and depression. This medication has made me sluggish and slow, because of that, I have gained weight, which has just added to the stress and anxiety. It has done nothing for me. My anxiety is still intruding on my life. My OCD is not being helped because my anxiety is not being dealt with."

• Anonymous
• May 28, 2011

For Depression "I began this medicine a year ago and have been stable at one dosage, 40 mg, for 7 months. I have experienced a large weight gain of 20 lbs on my small frame and have become very unhappy. I trusted my physician when I chose this medication. He told me it is one of the only SSRIs that does not cause weight gain. I feel all the positive side effects I first experienced have faded. I am going to be going off the medication this week with hopes of losing the weight. Gaining so much weight for a young girl is counterproductive when considering what the medication is originally prescribed for. I am a 23-year-old female."

• Rad...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 9, 2017

For Depression "After the side effects wore off (2-4 weeks of occasional insomnia, heightened anxiety, bathroom issues, and no energy), my overall outlook on life was much more positive. I was laughing, taking on more work, taking care of myself, and feeling good. I didn’t notice much weight gain, but working in construction, between a slowed metabolism and the hard work, my weight remained within 2 pounds up or down. Unfortunately, I had a rare side effect creep up after 3 months of use, it induced TMJ in me to the point I couldn’t eat. I switched to escitalopram, and the TMJ subsided, but found that escitalopram did not work for me, and I actually gained weight very quickly. Mind you, I’ve been on Wellbutrin in conjunction with these medications without issue with W."

• Lon...
• October 12, 2010

For Depression "I have used Celexa and its generic since 2001. I had suffered from undiagnosed anxiety and depression for years before seeking therapy and medication. At first, Celexa was a godsend. In the space of 3 weeks, I went from 8 severe anxiety attacks a day to less than 8 in the last 9 years. I became more outgoing and confident as a result. I did and continue to have side effects. The long-term effects are basically flat affect, weight gain, increased appetite (I don't need either of those), and sexual indifference. The latter is very difficult to live with, as you might imagine. I have tried to wean myself off Celexa once, in 2005, and it was an unqualified disaster. I guess I'm a 'lifer'."

• Saa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 13, 2021

For Anxiety and Stress "Celexa is best, it could have been great if not for weight gain and erectile dysfunction. Before Celexa, I was smart, and my erection was like an iron rod. Apart from that, it makes you sometimes too blind to the issues. Like, I had left two great jobs. It tricks you into a comfortable zone, you lose touch with some important issues. So, it works perfectly well health-wise, but it can affect your career. This is my personal experience. For many, it can boost their career."

• Mob...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 16, 2015

For Anxiety and Stress "Sometimes I think that someone employed by Celexa, Inc. creates the responses I read on this site. Most of the positive experiences do not seem likely. Celexa has been a nightmare for me. It makes me so angry. I'm from the Big Easy and would like to consider myself laid-back. I have a very strong belief that the reason this medication is prescribed so frequently is so the docs or the powers that be can receive the kickback from my pharmacy. I truly believe that. I'm going on month 4 and currently take 40 mgs. I cannot report any positive effects. I can attest to a loss in libido, rashes, depression, weight gain, dry mouth, loss of appetite, aches, and I can go on. And the only reason I take it is to obtain the medication that I do get relief from."

• Ang...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 7, 2016

For Depression "I felt like a zombie on this medication, gained weight, had no sex drive, and basically walked around not knowing what was going on. Definitely wouldn't recommend based on my own experience."

• Ade...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 20, 2016

For Anxiety and Stress "I took Celexa for a year. It gave me energy and made me anxious. I gained 40 pounds, and it made me yawn a lot. I went off of it."

• Mic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 28, 2018

For Depression "This med works pretty well for depression and anxiety. However, I gained over 25 pounds in 4 months and stopped taking it due to massive weight gain."

• Ali...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 1, 2021

For Anxiety and Stress "I've been on Celexa for about 10 years, and it has really helped with my panic attacks. I did gain some weight, but it's worth the comfort that the pill gives me."