Symbyax and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• Lun...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 31, 2013

For Depression "This medicine is really a lifesaver. Nothing worked. I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. A stint in a psychiatric hospital left them fighting over whether I was borderline or bipolar. I went through a real bad, horrid suicidal period. I just sobbed to my doctor, and he put me on this. I think I may have felt tired on this medication at first. But the changes were AMAZING! I could stay up all day, laugh and smile like I USED to! I had energy and motivation! This medication changed my life so radically and made the dark cloud go away! I stopped crying all the time. The suicidal thoughts went away. Just beware, I was very skinny and gained 83 pounds."

• Tim...
• July 30, 2016

For Depression "This drug combination has literally saved my life three times. I suffer from comorbid spectrum anxiety disorders: OCD, severe panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. I also have major depression. This combination worked so well that I took it for three years straight in my early twenties. I went back to school, got a job, and felt like my old self. The only drawback is the major weight gain, a mild tremor when waking, and some orthostatic hypotension. But if you take it easy and watch your weight, you will feel better. I hope other people who feel hopeless see this, that is exactly how I felt. It is a great combination. Best of luck!"

• Bow...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 5, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I figured I would wait a couple of months to leave a review, so I had actual experience using this medicine. I have come to the conclusion that this medicine is a godsend. I'm able to handle life a lot better now, I’m not sad, aggravated, upset, and bitter towards the world anymore. I’m happy, content, and excited for what life brings. I started on 3.5/25 mg and now I’m at 5 mg/20 mg. This is the perfect dosing, I’m able to sleep through the night (I do sleep a lot harder now than I did), and I’m not nearly as anxious as I was. This is a great medicine. I have gained 10 lbs in just a few months, but it’s worth every pound."

• Han...
• May 23, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been on this medication for over 4 years now. I was able to go to nursing school and have been working in the field now for almost 2 years. I'm less anxious, I don't get frustrated. I'm calmer. I did gain almost 60 pounds. This has been an issue for me. I also noticed that I'm not in tune as much spiritually, which is an issue for me. I stay on the medicine because I have never functioned as well on anything else. I don't cry much, seems like my emotions are hidden somewhat. I'm not sure I like that. I have thought about getting off of the medicine for a while just to see what happens, but I'm afraid of what might happen, so I continue to take it. All in all, it has been a good experience."

• No...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 21, 2016

For Depression "I've been on Symbyax now off and on for 12 years. It helps me with mood and anxiety. It also helps me sleep. The bad side is the weight gain, lack of energy, muscle weakness, and it has totally killed any and all sex drive. I've tried to use pills to be able to perform, but nothing works. Now I worry about losing my wife every day. If I had been told years ago about this side effect, I would have never taken this drug. Believe me, it takes its toll on you. Really hard to wean myself off because of all the other meds, I've taken Symbyax is the only one that helps. Just wonder if it's worth the trade-off."

• pit...
• February 13, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "I took Symbyax a few years ago for a month. It was great, made me feel happy again and happy about life. Since I suffer really bad mood swings and other stress-related issues, I stopped taking it and have not been good without it. Started taking it again. The only knock is you get a crazy appetite and can gain weight if you don't work out and cotton mouth for days, but other than that it's a miracle."

• Anonymous
• February 2, 2011

For Bipolar Disorder "Miracle medicine. I am not the same person. My mind stopped racing, thought I had OCD, but that hyperness is gone. I am easier to be with and around, sleep better. Have had no weight gain. I forget a bit more, it seems, but can live with that. Don't snap at people, calmer, overall just better."

• ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 21, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "The Zyprexa part of this mix means it will work, you WILL have weight gain no matter what. But it works. I went from daily suicide attempts to being normal within a week of going on this combo. I wouldn't go on this first, I would say it's a last resort for those who are treatment-resistant."

• Anonymous
• November 15, 2009

For Bipolar Disorder "The first couple of weeks, I was flying high on this medicine. The high does eventually come down, but overall I am able to function much better in my everyday life. The weight gain is an issue. If I wasn't a pretty lean person already, the weight would be an issue. Thankfully, the weight gain has been good for me. The only thing is, I wish the sweet cravings were unbearable at times. I could eat two pints of ice cream in a sitting- I know, scary. For now, the medicine is working. I am not big on medicine, but I would have to say it is doing the job. Good luck to anyone who is skeptical, as I was at one time. But if life can be a little better, why not?"

• Anonymous
• June 10, 2009

For Bipolar Disorder "I tried several medicines before finding success with this one. My depression and mood swings are under control, and life is manageable. My friends and family tell me that I'm much more enjoyable to be around now. I feel that this medicine saved my life. The only negative effect it has is that I'm hungrier and have gained some weight. I've just had to make adjustments in my diet to eat healthy, but this is a good thing for my overall health too. I feel so great on this medicine that the negative effect is worth it."

• Yor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 8, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "Great medicine. I used Symbyax 3/25 before for depression, and it helped a lot. I am taking it now for bipolar, it has helped a lot, really. The bad thing is the excess appetite, weight gain. But I don't care about the weight as long as it helps me out."

• Tbi...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 11, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been on Symbyax for about 3 years, and it works great. Slept like a log, my emotions were suppressed (not sure if that's good or bad). I was recently changed to generic, and I am having problems with mood swings and even worse weight gain."

• Anonymous
• November 23, 2010

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been taking Symbyax for 3 weeks. I cannot believe the difference it's made in my life. I was always against anti-depressants since all I had tried made me feel worse. I haven't had energy or motivation like this in, I can't remember how long! It is hard to wake up if I take it too late in the evening. I'm afraid of the weight gain, but I think it would be worth it. I am only giving it a 9 since it is so expensive and I have no insurance."

• Anonymous
• November 26, 2008

For Bipolar Disorder "Have used it off and on for 2 years now. It works wonderfully, and improvement is usually shown immediately. However, it affects my blood sugar immensely, and I usually have to quit taking it. If I don't eat constantly, I get very sick and shaky because of low blood sugar, and because I have to eat constantly, I gain weight. The medicine itself works great, it would just be nice to not have to sacrifice feeling well physically for mentally."

• Tim...
• June 17, 2009

For Bipolar Disorder "I was on this for several months, and my mentality improved 100%. I have not felt so good in years. I was absolutely amazed by this medicine. I am only giving it a 7 for the simple fact that not only did it cause weight gain, but my ankles and fingers stayed swollen and were painful. I tried taking Lasix to get rid of the swelling, but it just never worked. I really hated to come off this medicine."

• vas...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 4, 2022

For Depression "I took Symbyax for borderline personality disorder, and it was absolutely miraculous. After trying several meds with no success, I've at last tried this one, and it is fantastic! I can even say that I've returned to my normal functioning, I feel now as happy as never before in my life. The only side effect I deal with is weight gain, but it doesn't go to any comparison with the benefit I gained, so it can be managed easily."

• Sha...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 4, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "Was diagnosed bipolar 1, ADHD, and GAD at 18 and am now 38 and have taken a large gamut of the medications available on the market. Two caused Stevens-Johnson syndrome, some have caused rashes, some cycling. Some severe depression. Some hypomanic. I was on Latuda and gabapentin, and Adderall for ADHD for 8 years and thought I was feeling pretty great, however, I developed TD and had to stop. After several attempts at some newer meds, we settled on supposedly the tried and true Symbyax. I have spent the past 3 years feeling amazing. Legitimately, every single person in my life has commented how I’m much more relaxed and easygoing. I’m able to do things I don’t recall doing in my adult life, like travel or drive at night without severe anxiety. I haven’t cycled in 3 years and while I’ve had some ups and downs like everyone does, it’s manageable and I’m able to function and work through it. HOWEVER, the 46 lb weight gain is my breaking point. Weaning off back to the drawing board."

• Yes...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 14, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "I have bipolar disorder. I’ve been on Lexapro and Prozac just by itself. Lexapro made me feel nothing, and Prozac was better, but it did nothing to control my hypomania, and I had delusions while taking it. I tried out the Symbyax combo for about 6 months. I was tired. I was so tired all of the time. I only wanted to sleep and eat. As somebody who suffered from severe insomnia from birth, that was helpful, but I slept 20 hours a day on my days off. It gave me tremors in the morning, and my heart raced, but that went away. It got me through my days, sure, but I was 130 lbs at the start of the treatment and was 180 by the time I pulled myself off of it. I’m 5’0, mind you, and that was horrible. I will never use this ever again. It wasn’t worth it for me."

• lab...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 18, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "I've been on this medication for 2 months, and this is the best I have felt in the 4 years since I was diagnosed with bipolar I. Only problem is I've gained about 10 pounds."

• tja...
• October 17, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "This medicine has worked wonders for me! Only problem is the weight gain - I have gained almost 40 lbs in 3 months."

• Anonymous
• July 22, 2011

For Depression "I have been taking Symbyax for 2 years. It saved my life! The biggest problems I have are no energy, weight gain, and the cost. Would I quit taking it? NO!"

• Jef...
• January 16, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "While it helped with the disorder, I gained 40 lbs in 5 months. I stopped taking it 6 months ago, and I already lost 30 lbs."