Paxil and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Amb...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 9, 2021

For Anxiety "I have IBS disease triggered by anxiety disorder. Seriously, this med saved my life in my opinion. Went from not being able to keep a job, relationships, etc., from puking every day when I ate ANYTHING. Tests and tests and endless pain and torture just living in my body. Starving. After TWO WEEKS, my stomach was calm, I was more calm, able to handle surprises and be more confident. I get it doesn’t work for everyone. I did gain 60 lbs, which I am working off now, easily!"

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 7, 2018

For Anxiety and Stress "I have been on Paxil for over three months. I stopped taking it 2 weeks ago (cold turkey) and since then, I am dealing with the withdrawal effects. I experienced brain zaps, vertigo, severe anxiety like I never had before. Although the medication worked instantly at first, it stopped working (anxiety was worse than pre-medication intake), and this is the reason I stopped taking it. In these 3 months, I gained 30 (thirty) pounds and I am still gaining despite the fact that I have been off it for two weeks now. Before taking them, I was 100 pounds. I have flu-like symptoms including severe sinus infection, dizziness, headache, lack of appetite, etc. Not worth taking it. If it doesn't fix the problem, what is the purpose of taking it?! If you absolutely have to take SSRIs, consider other medication that has fewer side effects. Coming off of it is awful. Worst possible side effects."

• fdg...
• May 9, 2009

For Depression "I was on Paxil when I was 15. I think for about a year it was okay because of the numbness, but soon you start feeling horrible because you have no feelings at all. You can't cry or nothing. I don't think it's a good medicine for depression. I think it's better for social anxiety since there is no feeling at all. The other worst part was the weight gain."

• Anonymous
• April 1, 2010

For Depression "I've been taking Paxil for almost a year now for depression and anxiety. I used to have panic attacks almost every day. After being on Paxil for a few months, I stopped having any panic attacks. The only problem I have is that I sleep too much and seem to have gained some weight. If I forget to take my medication, I start crying a lot. Overall, I feel normal while taking Paxil. I still cry and feel sad sometimes, but not in excess."

• Jen...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 26, 2018

For Depression "I took this medication for depression and anxiety, it worked like a charm. However, the side effects were pretty crazy - firstly, I had trouble urinating on this medication, I had to concentrate really hard to pee, had sexual problems, couldn't get 'off.' I also gained 15-20 pounds in 3 months, had a dry mouth, and once I got off the medication, the withdrawals were really bad. Brain zaps, ringing in ears for 2-3 weeks after stopping the medication. Oh, and this medication caused me to get sleep paralysis. Never had this condition before getting on Paxil."

• Say...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 17, 2021

For Depression "Depression left me feeling like I was walking on a paper-thin sheet of ice every day for years; one small negative event or interaction would immediately have the ice give way underneath me. I’d be pulled down into a place where my thoughts terrified me, and I knew it was only a matter of time until I gave in to them. After about 3 weeks or so on the drug, it did not elevate my mood or make me feel like a different person; it gave a much sturdier feel to the ground beneath me. Things that I knew would send me immediately spiraling didn’t have such a strong effect anymore. I now have stability in my racing mind, and it’s been life-saving. I tried coming off Paxil for a bit, and right away my brain felt… shattered, fragile again. I am back on it, and while it does help tremendously, I wish I didn’t have to rely on it. The only real negative side effect I experience is weight gain; well, that and routine long pharmacy lines, but it’s worth it."

• Anonymous
• May 8, 2016

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I was dealing with anxiety in college my junior year, so I decided to talk to my doctor about it, and he prescribed Paxil. When I started taking it, my appetite increased, energy went down, my emotions were just monotonous, like I couldn't feel anything. I also gained 15 pounds in 4 months, which is not normal for me, especially since I had been working out and hadn't changed my eating habits at all. After being on this drug for 5 months, I am weaning myself off it, and I am feeling a million times better. I would recommend a different drug if you are having problems with anxiety."

• hls...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 9, 2022

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "There are a lot of negative reviews of Paxil floating around in cyberspace, but I can confidently say that it saved my life. Eight years ago, I was going through an incredibly stressful period, resulting in a nervous breakdown. I had always been an anxious person, but my OCD became unmanageable at this point. I was suffering from violent intrusive thoughts and lived in a near constant state of panic. My mother had been prescribed Paxil for similar issues, so with the help of my psychiatrist, I decided to give it a try. Within weeks, my intrusive thoughts had lessened, and I felt true peace for the first time in months. I remained on a tiny dose of 10 mg for seven years until recent circumstances required me to switch to Zoloft. However, I am actually thinking about going back to Paxil at some point as I prefer its more sedating effects. The only reason I'm not rating it 10/10 is because of the side effects: I did experience a significant decrease in my sex drive and gained some weight."

• van...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 30, 2018

For Anxiety and Stress "I've been on Paxil for many years - and I mean many. 1 - CON: weight gain. A pound for every mg, and it won't come off no matter what I do to exercise and eat right. 2 - PRO: I like life again. 3 - CON: dosage increases every few years due to either getting used to it or the weight gain due to the meds... a vicious circle."

• Ido...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 20, 2017

For Depression "I was given Paxil 20 mg for depression. I had not taken any antidepressant during my life. My greatest sadness was when my brother died. It stopped working. I know this med is NOT a magic pill. Instead of feeling better, I was feeling worse. I did NOT do ANY research on this med. My family practice MD told me to take 40 mg. Again, I took the med but didn't really feel well on this med. I gained LOTS of weight. I was put on the med because I was depressed and NOT eating. That changed quickly when I started the Paxil. I finally decided that Paxil was not working for me, I was overweight, and I decided to wean from this med. I started educating myself regarding Paxil. Paxil MUST be tapered/weaned. Med can't be stopped abruptly."

• blo...
• July 25, 2019

For Depression "I have depression with anxiety on top. Paxil did help calm my anxiety but also made me very lazy and lethargic and didn't really help the depression totally. + weight gain + zero libido and no ability to orgasm, no sensation at all. So my overall quality of life didn't improve as much as I would have liked on this med. I feel like this might be a better med for just anxiety than depression for some people? But try something else first if you can. This is the worst medication for sexual side effects I've tried."

• Anonymous
• January 19, 2018

For Depression "Do not take this drug. I took it for six months. It causes E.D. After stopping this medication for three years and feeling fine, all of a sudden, my memory and keeping train of thought is difficult. Not to mention, the weight gain went from 160 lb to 200 lb, also, anxiety is worse than ever."

• Ora...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 16, 2021

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "Took this drug for around 6 months for severe OCD, as well as panic attacks and depersonalization, and it helped a lot. Got my anxiety and obsessive thoughts under control and made it easier to deal with them. There were plenty of side effects, such as sexual dysfunction, weight gain, increased apathy, drowsiness/tiredness, etc., however, most of them have subsided after quitting the drug, and the withdrawal was not that bad either because I tapered slowly."

• sen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 11, 2017

For Depression "I was put onto horrid Paxil in 1996. Turned into a zombie, gained 60 lbs in 4 months. Went off cold turkey, doctor said no problem, won't make weight gain and not addictive. She believed the sales rep. Now 2017. Weight still high, can't shed weight unless total fast that kicks in serious medical issues. Plus, diabetes. Yep, Paxil can give you that deadly, expensive disease. DONT take this drug, they test on patients' withdrawal, now they call it something else. Good luck. But run away from this dangerous drug. You will gain fat you can't lose and end up losing a foot and your vision to this drug. Depressed now? Try it from a wheelchair and being blind from Paxil caused diabetes."

• Lyn...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 1, 2018

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I have been on Paxil for 15 years (except when I was pregnant). It's been great for my OCD, but still makes me feel tired, and I've gained weight that's hard to lose on it. I'm switching to something else that might be more energizing and doesn't pile on the pounds. Overall, I think it can be an awesome drug for anxiety and OCD in my experience, but there are a lot of side effects compared to other SSRIs."

• Sun...
• April 25, 2018

For Major Depressive Disorder "I tried this medication, and it had the most horrible side effects and all around worsened my condition. It caused a more severe depression and rageful episodes, which destroyed a wonderful relationship with my boyfriend. After taking it for less than a month, I could not breathe and fell unconscious and had a seizure. It was also prescribed for hot flashes, which didn't work either. In addition, it caused nausea and flu-like symptoms and 10 lb weight gain. I felt worse than ever, and it had a deleterious effect on my life. Horrible drug!"

• Mel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 1, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "This medication is terrible! The most horrible medication that someone could be on! I slept nonstop for 7 weeks while on it, and in three months, I gained massive weight (15 pounds), and, although I have been off it for 2 years, I cannot get rid of this excessive weight I gained while on Paxil! And, terrible withdrawal effects. It should be pulled off the market for its serious side effects, and it cannot help with anything!"

• Mma...
• March 8, 2017

For Depression "Bad thoughts. Worsening depression. Gained 35 lbs in 6 months. Liver enzymes slightly off. I feel like a cow. I stopped taking it and am taking Lexapro but still gaining weight. I have always been thin."

• Bri...
• November 26, 2008

For Depression "Paxil works consistently to alleviate my lifelong depression. I did have to bump up levels after the first 6 months of treatment. I have tried to stop treatment twice now, but eventually overwhelming depression returns, particularly initiated by allergy seasons. So now, I will just take it for life or until the doctor and I decide otherwise. I am statistically at an elevated risk of recurring depression, so I just take the medicine. Weight gain is a problem, but at least that doesn't depress me."

• Mel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 12, 2022

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "20 mg daily. I took it for 4 months before changing to new meds. The first week (which I know is the most intense for all SSRIs) was just so hard. My jaw was shaking uncontrollably, I was extremely tired, and I would fall asleep almost anywhere. I had extreme anxiety and sweating. However, I spoke to my psychiatrist, who told me to continue as the side effects would subside. So I kept on, and yes, the side effects did subside, but 4 months in, I still felt extremely fatigued. I was a long-distance runner, and even going for a walk became a challenge for me. I would sleep 8-9 hours a night and still found it incredibly difficult to wake up, and I'd need a 2-hour nap in the day (thankfully I work from home). It was difficult for me to socialize, put on clothes, and perform other basic day-to-day tasks. My jaw was also still shaking, and in 4 months, I had gained weight (lack of movement, I assume). I do believe the anxiety subsided, but the side effects themselves gave me anxiety, especially the fatigue."

• Lee...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 18, 2021

For Anxiety "My daughter was put on Paxil at 13 due to OCD and anxiety. She was very thin before taking Paxil. Then, after taking Paxil for 8 months, she weighed 30 lbs more. At the time, I did not realize why the weight gain. The Paxil worked great but created a whole other issue, weight!"

• Cry...
• November 12, 2016

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "Paxil made me gain 5 lbs. I noticed most of it was in my abdomen. It also made me very tired. I gained 15 lbs. overall. I was taken off it, but my energy wasn't coming back. It turned out I had a thyroid problem due to my carbamazepine, which controls my epileptic seizures."

• Doc...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 25, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "Paxil made me gain about 50 pounds, so I got off it. It didn't even work that well for my anxiety. The withdrawal coming off it was a nightmare-seriously-this drug is awful. My doctor said the weight gain is likely permanent :("

• SJM...
• November 9, 2014

For Social Anxiety Disorder "It really works! But I gained 14 pounds."

• nan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 26, 2017

For Anxiety "Pros: works for anxiety, depression. Cons: weight gain, ED, orgasm troubles, just stopped caring about everything."