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

• Nel...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 30, 2020

Fluoxetine for Anxiety and Stress "I had anxiety since I was a child. I remember having my first panic attack when I was playing with my siblings, not knowing what it was. Years later, I got diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. After I couldn't bear my anxiety anymore and it started to affect my profession, I started taking Prozac 20mg in October 2018. The first two months, I experienced a terrible loss of appetite and weight loss, subsequently. Also, very heavy menstruation for months, then it went back to a normal flow. Vivid dreams were frequent, too, not anymore, though. After almost two years of use, I have gained at least 25 lbs, which is frustrating for me. In terms of anxiety, I do think that this drug controlled at least 85% of my anxiety and panic attacks. My anxiety now is very occasional, and when I have it, it either goes away by itself or stays with me the whole day, regardless of my relaxation practices."

• lir...
• January 5, 2014

Fluoxetine for Anxiety and Stress "I started to take Prozac several months back to get off Effexor. It really made that transition smooth. I take 20 mg every other day. I find it helps with anxiety, but not enough to wean off Klonopin. I know I'm normally oversocial, and Prozac makes me antisocial. I don't mind because I'm only antisocial with people I don't need to be associated with. I believe my ability to orgasm has improved from Effexor to Prozac. I tend to sleep more than I should, but it's better than tossing and turning. My motivation is at an all-time low right now, I don't know if it's the Prozac or work. I gained weight initially, but it's coming off slowly and evening out. I would recommend Prozac, it's not as feeling/responsibility numbing as other meds."

• Soo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 26, 2017

Fluoxetine for Panic Disorder "This is my second time taking Prozac. I took it for two years before for panic attacks, insomnia, OCD, and it did wonders. After a month, my head cleared up, my memory improved, as well as my sleep. (No longer waking up in the middle of the night worried about things.) Only downside is that I tend to gain a lot of weight on it. As soon as I stopped last time, the weight came off almost immediately. I plan to watch what I eat and exercise more this time. After a month now, I have already started to feel 2000% better and sleeping so good."

• Vai...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 25, 2017

Fluoxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "I have been on Prozac (fluoxetine) since 2000. I started with 20 mg, then 40 mg, and now 60 mg. I am also taking Navalpro 300 mg, twice a day. Prozac is the only medication that has made me function as a 'normal' person after being correctly diagnosed as having major depression. When I first desperately looked for help, my anxiety was unbearable. Prozac killed two birds with one stone-depression and anxiety. I had a rollercoaster journey, being prescribed other antidepressants together with Prozac. I have come to accept that the benefits outweigh the side effects. However, weight gain I have not accepted and am trying my best to watch calories and move around more often."

• LSa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 23, 2018

For Binge Eating Disorder "I started taking fluoxetine a few months ago. I noticed I gained about 10 pounds, but I am dropping off now, and wow, the binge eating is gone! I take 20 mg every morning. I first started taking it at night and slept like a baby, but once it kicked in, I was up all night for 3 nights (which it did say it would do that). I am starting to feel a little crabby and on edge, and not sure if I should increase it a bit. I will check with the doctor. Definitely taking it during the day right after some breakfast works best for me."

• Hv5...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 17, 2014

Fluoxetine for Depression "I've been on Prozac for just about 3 months. At first, I did not notice a difference for about a month, then I started feeling more energized for a few weeks. However, the weight is going on as fast as grass grows. I'm seeing my doctor today and need to switch. I've even been working out, walking, and have been more active. The weight gain is awful, at least for me."

• emi...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 3, 2019

For Borderline Personality Disorder "Prozac is the most effective medication I have ever been prescribed for borderline personality disorder, and I have trialed a lot of medications. The only ones that are more effective in dampening my intense mood swings and periods of distress are benzodiazepines. It doesn't fix everything, but it allows me to think clearly and respond to a situation without being emotionally overwhelmed. I rated it a little lower because it causes weight gain (about 5-10 kg) in me and totally eliminates my sex drive, but honestly, it's worth it to live a normal life."

• Mat...
• January 17, 2016

Fluoxetine for Panic Disorder "I started a generic brand of Prozac more than 3-4 years ago. I started at 20 mg and am still on that same dose. Before Prozac, I lost almost 50 pounds because I didn't eat. I was depressed and always anxious. I was afraid of weird things, like taking a shower because I thought I would fall and die. I was afraid to win the lottery (never would happen anyway, lol). I never had anything like this in my life! I was newly wed and just had a baby. So I guess it was normal to have those feelings. Prozac has been great. The first few weeks on it, I had increased anxiety. The worst thing is I gained about 75-80 pounds!"

• blu...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 22, 2015

Fluoxetine for Depression "I have been battling severe depression for most of my life, and at 30 years old, I finally decided to seek help. I was prescribed 10 mg at first, and it has been gradually increased at different increments over the last year and a half. I am currently taking 60 mg Prozac daily. Taking Prozac has definitely helped my moods, but no pill is a fix-all. I recommend counseling also. I have had some issues with weight gain and loss of libido. I've noticed that once I have been on a stable dosage for a while, the libido does come back."

• Anonymous
• April 29, 2011

Fluoxetine for Anxiety and Stress "I have been on fluoxetine now for 7 months. The first couple of weeks I was sick feeling, but within 2 months my husband and I could tell a big difference with my anxiety. The downfall is the weight gain, and after about 3 months, I have to take a midday nap. I have gained 18 pounds in the past 7 months, that is the outcome of 3-4 am nightly hunger and cravings. I am now trying to fight the naps to sleep all night without waking up. It is difficult some days, but it is better than having anxiety attacks."

• pig...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 25, 2020

Fluoxetine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I’ve been on Prozac for like 9 months. I’m actually at 80 mg, the maximum dose, and I’ve felt little to no relief of my OCD. I know that for some people it has worked, but for me it is not the case. I’m going to start taking Luvox tomorrow, and I hope I get better. With Prozac, my hands shake all the time, I gained weight, and I’m really sad about the outcome."

• Tak...
• February 26, 2012

Fluoxetine for Depression "Prozac has taken my body aches away. Prevents me from obsessing over what someone else did or said. Helps with anxiety, depression, stress, and crying. A lot of the other medications caused an allergic reaction, or they made me lethargic and gain weight. Problems with short-term memory and retaining new information, but that could be my age of 60."

• Anonymous
• March 6, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "I started taking Prozac in October 2017 after trying Wellbutrin and Vistaril. The Prozac, though, has been the first and only antidepressant to remove the “heaviness” I feel weighing me down when depressed. I took Prozac for a year at 20 mg, and when I was functioning the best I had ever done so in life, I decided to try life without it. I went 6 months with no medicine and relying only on meditation, but I found myself going back down into that dark place. I “lost it” at every agitation, got angry a lot, and had suicidal thoughts without the Prozac. Now, I’m getting back on at a 10 mg dosage. It’s been 2 days, and I already feel calmer and able to handle life again. Plus, there seem to be no weight gain or sexual side effects at 10 mg. I honestly feel like I can’t function like the “other half” do without an antidepressant. So, needless to say, I highly recommend Prozac. It adds a calm to my life I wouldn’t have otherwise, which allows me to live my best life."

• Chr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 22, 2019

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "After 3 ER visits in 3 months, I learned I had a severe reaction to a BC pill, the hormonal imbalance essentially giving me PMDD. Before this, I was afraid of SSRIs (I had a bad reaction to Zoloft the month before), but I can say that fluoxetine has given me my life back. It took about 6 weeks (and my post-pill amenorrhea ending with a heavy period), but the anxiety, depression, and dark thoughts slowly ebbed and then left altogether; I am only slightly anxious maybe 2 times a day, and that is slowly but surely decreasing. This was done with a healthy diet, exercise, and supplements to help regulate my hormones. (The pill had caused a 35 lb weight gain, acne, extreme body odor.) I am now on week 7 of fluoxetine, and the difference is incomparable to where I was before I started. It takes time to build up in your system, but stick with it, and it will gradually get better! Taking care of yourself will also help give the fluoxetine the best chance to work most effectively!"

• Agi...
• August 16, 2016

Fluoxetine for Depression "Disclaimer: this is MY personal experience. Started Prozac at age 19 after issues with Effexor, and after a few months, I felt on top of the world-the happiest I had ever been. This was short-lived. After 6 or so months, something inside me snapped. Sex drive = 0. My conscience turned into someone that wasn't me. Never heard voices before, but they became overwhelming/evil, and I couldn't shake the suicidal thoughts. I ended up quitting cold turkey as I noticed myself double dosing, then triple dosing. My sex drive is still 0, I've gained a ton of weight, and have been dealing with severe depression without meds because I'm scared to take them again."

• Kri...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 23, 2018

Fluoxetine for Anxiety and Stress "In 2014, I suddenly started having terrible panic attacks, and I believe this drug saved my life. My panic attacks were so bad I thought I’d have to check into a mental hospital, and I considered suicide. The doctor put me on 20 mg, and within just 5 days, the extreme anxiety subsided, and the panic attacks were reduced. After 2-3 weeks, panic attacks completely stopped. I am so grateful for this drug during that time period. I stopped taking it after about 2 years because I felt much better. Fast forward to now, I started to have bad anxiety again due to a lot of stress in my life. Back on 10 mg, and it helped within about 2 weeks. I was more calm, slept better, didn’t worry as much. However, I gained 15 pounds in 2 months, and it made me lethargic, tired, and foggy. I’m weaning off now. I can’t stand being overweight and tired all the time. This drug definitely helped my anxiety, but the weight gain and fatigue have been really bad this time around."

• lin...
• July 11, 2018

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I was so hesitant to take any sort of psychoactive drugs for years - I had been diagnosed with severe OCD when I was 11. I was totally crippled by obsessions and compulsions that would render me completely useless for up to 6 hours a day. I'm 20 now, and after a traumatic sexual assault, my symptoms blew up. My doctor put me on Prozac (20 mg). The first month or so I was a bit more on edge than normal and had issues with shakiness, but that passed quickly and wasn't too disruptive. I was worried that it would cause weight gain or kill my libido, but I've actually had a better relationship with my weight and body image since starting, and my libido has stayed the same, if not gotten higher! Prozac changed my life; I no longer cloister myself inside to tend to my obsessions and compulsions, and they hardly even affect my life at this point in time. Obviously, everyone's brain chemistry is different, but I highly recommend fluoxetine."

• Bon...
• April 25, 2012

For Panic Disorder "I have been on fluoxetine for many years. I tried to switch to another medication, but found quickly most of them did not compare to fluoxetine. The only other two medications I have been successful with were Cymbalta, mirtazapine, and Seroquel. I took the Seroquel with the fluoxetine, but I stopped it about a month ago because of the weight gain and high risk of diabetes. I have gone back to the mirtazapine in combination with the fluoxetine, and it is working just wonderfully! I too have begun to see what it is to live a life without so much sadness, worry, and obsessive and compulsive thoughts and not wanting to live anymore. I wish all of you the very best of luck."

• gui...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 10, 2012

Fluoxetine for Depression "I started Prozac a year ago for severe anxiety and depression. I now feel like a whole different person. The only thing I'm wondering is if I gained weight from it. I am now 40 lbs heavier than last year, but I started a different birth control at the same time, so that could be it as well."

• Nor...
• January 21, 2015

Fluoxetine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I have been off Prozac for about 4 weeks now...after starting 2 years ago for a terrible depression/sadness/menopause. Wanted to take a holiday to see what would happen. When on Prozac, side effects like decreased sexual drive and slight weight gain, otherwise, it put my menopause symptoms in control. Decreased my hot flashes, helped my sadness, and gave relief for some mild OCD that I have had for years. Now when I am off the medicine, I notice an increase in my OCD behaviors. Not concentrating as well at work. Sexual appetite is still not that great despite a wonderful patient husband (could still just be the menopause). Hot flashes have not really returned, and I do not feel overwhelmingly sad. I will start Prozac tomorrow and see if it helps with OCD."

• Anx...
• November 2, 2018

For Anxiety and Stress "When I first started taking 20 mg of fluoxetine (Prozac) a day for anxiety in July, I was worried about the potential side effects - including weight gain, acne, nausea, etc. I experienced minor side effects that have since gone away over time. I noticed that I've been losing more hair in the shower. My libido was already suffering due to my birth control, and once I started Prozac, it completely diminished my sex drive. Honestly, none of those side effects compare to how amazing Prozac has made me feel. It has worked wonders for my anxiety and my eating disorder. I can't believe that I used to carry all that weight with me every day. I don't know how I ever lived without this. After 8 weeks, I started to notice big changes. I am less anxious about life, am able to live and enjoy my life to the fullest, and I am proud to say that I have only purged once since starting this medication. I have been on Prozac for 14 weeks now."

• KAD...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 23, 2018

Fluoxetine for Depression "I was on 10 mg starting, and it didn't help, so I went to 20 mg, and my life felt so on track. I gained 30 lbs, but with exercise daily, I lost 15 and don't mind the way I look. I have bipolar II, and it made my mania worse, but with the right mood stabilizer, I believe this antidepressant is great. I switched to Wellbutrin, and I hate it, I am going back to Prozac today."

• YAY...
• January 14, 2016

For Panic Disorder "I started taking this medicine only 3 days ago, and I already feel like I can tell a difference. I have extreme panic disorder, social anxiety, and just general anxiety. Recently, I have been getting panic attacks every night around 9 pm, but ever since I started taking this, I haven't had a single one. I know these kinds of medicines aren't supposed to start working for a couple of weeks, but I truly feel a difference already. I have tried Lexapro (gained a ton of weight) and Zoloft, which was giving me terrible side effects as well, so I am hopeful that this medicine will work without causing other problems!"

• Var...
• July 13, 2021

Fluoxetine for Postpartum Depression "After labor, I suffered from a rare condition of postpartum psychosis, cured with Abilify. Then it was followed by horrible insomnia and anxiety. I tried every sleeping pill and benzo, and tricyclics, didn’t work. So my doctors decided to prescribe Prozac 20 mg per day (morning) for 6 months. The first weeks, I had little cramps in my ankles and not much change in my mood, but immediately less anxious, and by week 3-4 it finally kicked in, didn’t feel so sad anymore. Gradually, my sleep came back, from 4-5 hours with early awakenings to a solid 8-9. I had a rare side effect-pigmentation around my eyes became slightly orange, but it was gone after I started to wean off. When I started Prozac, my depression was 60 out of 63 according to Beck’s depression inventory (“severely depressed”). Now, after treatment, it’s only 9! (“not depressed”). The worst side effect is that despite dieting, I gained 30 lbs!"

• cal...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 5, 2018

For Depression "I've been on fluoxetine (alongside Lamictal) for 6 months now, and it’s been great. I’m using it for depression, anxiety/social anxiety, and some OCD-like tendencies. It’s been really helpful. I’ve done things I wouldn’t have been able to before, I talk to people easier, and I haven’t had any depressive cycles! Also, I haven’t had any negative change to libido or any weight gain."