Nefazodone and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• Zsa...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 18, 2020

Nefazodone for Depression "After having a baby in 1991, I came down with postpartum depression. I tried everything on the market. I went through a few doctors, a few hospital stays, and a few experiences with charcoal due to no longer wanting to fight to exist any longer. Finally, my doctor tried one last medication on me as I wouldn't take anything that affected my weight (gaining), my sex drive, or could cause tardive dyskinesia. My doctor started me on nefazodone, a generic for Serzone. What a difference nefazodone made in my life. My doctor found a dose that worked for me until my mother passed away. That's when he added Lamictal, a mood stabilizer. I am now off of the Lamictal, but continued the nefazodone, taking two 100 mg a day at bedtime. I am finally at a pretty happy spot in my life, and I know that without my amazing therapist and nefazodone, I wouldn't be here today!!!"

• val...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 23, 2019

Nefazodone for Depression "I went on Elavil to try to help severe migraine. While it was somewhat helpful for the headaches, it immediately began making me gain weight. I put on 40 pounds, and it was a shock because I had never been overweight before. I was 42. I changed doctors, and she put me on Serzone. Within a week, I dropped 4 pounds! I was so excited, I began walking again and trying to lose weight. Overall, I lost the 40 pounds and kept it off. Then Serzone was banned, and I had to change antidepressants. The weight piled on, and in six months, I gained 60 pounds on Cymbalta. Now, I’m in my late 60s, and my new doctor refuses to let me try Nefazodone, which is now available again. I’m so angry. I’ve dropped that doc and am going to a new psychiatrist next week. Here’s hoping she is braver and more understanding and will let me switch to Nefazodone. I hope I can still lose weight even though I’m 25 years older. Being overweight makes me more depressed than any of my life’s problems."

• Red...
• December 24, 2018

For Anxiety "I have depression and OCD. Nefazodone (Serzone) changed my life. The chains of OCD and depression fell off within 2 months of starting this medicine. This medication was an answer to prayer. I have been off and on SSRIs, but they did not help much. Paxil was the only medication that helped my OCD, but the side effects were bad. I have not experienced any sexual side effects, weight gain, or fatigue with Nefazodone. It's been a wonder drug for me."

• Bon...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 6, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "I started taking Nefazodone in January 2000 and continued taking it until 2015 when I was told that it had been taken off of the market. I had to drive about 25 miles to a pharmacy. So, my new doctor prescribed an SSRI called Celexa. I have been on the lowest dose possible and still gained about 30 lbs, and no matter what I do, I cannot get my weight to budge. Each time that I go to the doctor's office, my weight is up again even if I stick to 1200 calories a day. I am going to be going back to Nefazodone once I see my doctor in February. I will take it along with Wellbutrin. I started that regimen 20 years ago and felt the best that I had felt in years! I believe that I will feel better once again!"

• Ros...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 4, 2021

For Major Depressive Disorder "I was on nefazodone for over 20 years, and it shaped my life. It helped me become myself by controlling my symptoms without any side effects. Without it, my life is falling apart. My last dose was 11/5/2020. I'm flooded with depression, anxiety is wrapped around me... squeezing, squeezing. I can't breathe. I've put on a lot of weight. My clothes don't fit. I don't go out, can't think, play guitar, or write. I keep trying other meds. No luck. Now I'm on Fetzima. Maybe it will help. I love my life, I miss myself. I called Teva and was told nefazodone would be back. Teva wants money, it's logical that they would want it back on the market. I'm 64. Being older wasn't supposed to be so horrible. Until then, I have prayer. God doesn't care if I'm fat. And I have all of you to talk to. Thank you."

• Pat...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 15, 2020

For Depression "I am devastated that I can no longer get nefazodone. Been taking it 20 plus years, and it has worked great. New doctor prescribed Mirtazapine, and in the first 3 weeks, I have already gained 5 pounds. Anyone have good luck with something else that doesn't cause weight gain?"