Paroxetine and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Fre...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 12, 2019

Paroxetine for Depression "If you have depression, do yourself a favor and avoid this medication at all costs. I am 1 week into withdrawals (this isn't the first time I've tried to discontinue paroxetine), and it's basically the worst. I was on Paxil for years, it made me gain so much weight, and it didn't even help that much with my depression. In some ways, it made my depression worse. For me, Lexapro is a much better choice, so much more effective. Not only are the emotional withdrawals worse than you could imagine, but it's physical as well. It's hard for me to move my hands, arms, and fingers, it's as if they are numb. I'm also getting headaches and brain zaps, but nothing beats this depression. I think it is not worth it."

• Anonymous
• August 7, 2010

Paroxetine for Anxiety and Stress "I completely stopped having panic attacks after taking this medication for a few months. I had become housebound by several debilitating panic attacks every day. I have been on Paxil for close to a year, and it is still working. Side effects I experienced were bruising for the first few months. I also experienced numbness and tingling (my arms and legs started falling asleep all the time). I began taking magnesium supplements, and the tingling stopped. I am still experiencing weight gain and tiredness and constant yawning, as well as decreased focus and memory. I am also unable to orgasm, which is strange for me because I used to be able to reach orgasm very easily. Overall, I can work and live again, so it's worth the side effects."

• Ann...
• July 3, 2016

Paroxetine for Anxiety "I've been taking Paxil for around 3 years now. I'm under 18, by the way, for people who say it's not safe. For my anxiety, the first 2 years I was on it, I was on 20 mg, then sometime in 2015, switched it to 40 mg. Now I'm on 60 mg, and I've never been better as far as anxiety goes. I've tried Zoloft, and it did nothing but give me more anxiety. I was on Latuda with it, and I had to stop the Latuda because I had horrible side effects to it. I've never had a bad reaction to Paxil, maybe other than slight weight gain. If you're going to take Paxil for depression, I wouldn't recommend it, but everyone's different, it's never helped as far as depression goes. It does slightly help now that I'm on the 60 mg, but I'm still looking for an antidepressant to go with it."

• 46y...
• August 18, 2016

Paroxetine for Depression "I was prescribed Paxil for situational depression that was pretty severe, merging on PTSD. (I went through a really bad relationship breakup that was traumatic.) I also had GAD (general anxiety). I took Paxil for about 8 weeks. It started working right away and I felt so much better, I'd say within a day or two. I slept better and woke in the morning without massive anxiety and intrusive thoughts, and my depression began to lift. BUT I gained a whopping 20 pounds in the 8 weeks I was on Paxil. It was so awful that I had the doctor wean me off of it. I thought once it was out of my system that the weight would slowly come off, but it didn't - I gained another 10 lbs. I think Paxil messes with your metabolism. Will NEVER take it again."

• Anonymous
• October 6, 2010

Paroxetine for Anxiety "I have been on Paxil for about 6 years now, and it has really helped lower my anxiety and elevate my mood. When I first started taking it, I noticed I felt calmer and in a better mood within the first 2 days on 10 mg per day. After a couple of months on Paxil, I felt a lot better but was starting to build up tolerance, so my doctor had me increase the dosage to 40 mg/day. The side effects were mostly sexual (decreased sex drive and harder to reach orgasm). I also have experienced weight gain, increased appetite, and sleeping more while on Paxil. I highly recommend this drug, but make sure not to stop cold turkey because the withdrawal symptoms can be severe with Paxil."

• Anonymous
• April 24, 2009

Paroxetine for Depression "I was taking Paxil for 6 months for my depression. At first, I felt a major difference with the chemicals in my brain. But then I felt sleepy ALL the time, it also made my appetite off the wall. I gained 40 pounds and was back at my ending pregnancy weight, which didn't help with my depression. I would suggest anyone who takes this drug to truly watch what you eat. Paxil made me feel like my 'full signal' from my stomach to my brain was shut off."

• Big...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 23, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "Have been on Parox for over 10 years. It definitely works for me, as it stopped me from feeling constantly tearful. Initially, it masks your emotions, but they do return minus the tears. Sadly, I have gained an awful lot of weight, but I'd rather that than the sadness and tears at even the slightest thing. Hope this helps someone considering Parox."

• wan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 28, 2016

Paroxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "Paxil is making me calmer, but not lessening depression. However, I have only been on it one week. I will give it more time. Side effects are fatigue, weight gain, and headache. I feel that this drug would be best for someone with aggression. I also take 1 mg Klonopin, which is also sedating. Paxil and alcohol don't mix well."

• qua...
• April 25, 2014

Paroxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "I've been on Paxil for about the past four years. It helps stabilize my depression, which I've had for many years. It doesn't make me happy, but at least I can function and feel like a normal person. It is one of two medications that have helped me at all (the other being Celexa, but that one made me gain extreme weight). The only negative thing is that I gained some weight months after taking it. Despite a few extra pounds, I'll keep taking it."

• Anonymous
• May 9, 2009

Paroxetine for Depression "My doctor started me on Paxil when I was 6 months pregnant. It made me emotionally numb. I kept taking it for about 3 years because the side effects of missing a dose were unbearable. I had to have the dose increased and eventually was on the highest dose, and Xanax was added. I gained weight, was always tired, had a decreased sex drive, and I couldn't cry when I needed to. I attempted to stop taking it 5 times before I was successful. I had horrible withdrawals for two months: sensitivity to light, nausea, a jolting sensation through my head and arms, and uncontrollable crying. It was worth it. I am now taking Zoloft and finally feel normal. I lost the weight I gained while I was on Paxil, and I cry when I need to."

• rox...
• December 13, 2009

Paroxetine for Depression "I started to take Paxil 12 years ago. I was getting depressed because of my panic disorder. I have been on Xanax for many, many years, and my doctor added Paxil. 30 mg a day in the morning. I have never had a side effect, not even weight gain, and I know this can cause weight gain. It works great for me for my depression and my panic attacks. Would highly recommend this drug. I am a skinny person anyway, because of my panic, but I never had any side effects. Good luck all."

• pur...
• April 25, 2016

Paroxetine for Panic Disorder "Paxil does work to stop panic attacks and general anxiety symptoms. I've had no panic attacks while on it. But my problem with Paxil is its side effects. I was on Paxil for a few years and had gained weight steadily at the same time. I was trying to lose weight while on Paxil and was unsuccessful, but I didn't blame the Paxil. I went off Paxil and changed nothing else in my routine and lost 25 pounds in 3 months! I ended up having to go back on it and gained all of it back within 1 month. I tried to up my exercise and diet routine to make up for Paxil, but I can't get the scale to budge more than 5 pounds down. Also, when trying to get off Paxil, the side effects are awful. Wean off very slowly! Worst, most addictive SSRI out there."

• Anonymous
• March 10, 2009

Paroxetine for Depression "Significant weight gain experienced within a few months. Very tough on the libido. Extremely difficult to get off this medication without significant side effects - dizziness, nausea. I was taking Celexa before and would definitely go back. For the purposes of banishing depression/anxiety, it worked, but not without side effects that make me want to stop taking it each day."

• Anonymous
• July 14, 2013

Paroxetine for Depression "HUGE weight gain! From 135 lbs up to 205 lbs, and there didn't seem to be any way to lose the weight. I am not an eater or a snacker, if anything, I can't manage breakfast, and I eat a healthy sandwich for lunch and can only manage 1/2 the meal that my husband eats at night. For me, depression = loss of appetite."

• Deb...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 10, 2022

Paroxetine for Anxiety and Stress "I have been on Paxil for about 5 years, and other than weight gain, I have nothing bad to say about it. I recently had to increase the dosage to 30 mg daily due to higher depression and anxiety, and it helped a lot."

• Anonymous
• April 22, 2009

Paroxetine for Anxiety and Stress "I have been on Paxil for 5 years now. It has done wonders up until I had a baby a year ago, and I just don't think it's working anymore. The only thing I hate about this drug is weight gain, but other than that, it has been a lifesaver for me, and I would recommend it to anyone."

• Anonymous
• May 29, 2009

Paroxetine for Depression "Every person's experience may be different. I took Paxil for 14 years. Significant weight gain (over 100 pounds, before I realized it was the medication). In some people, it suppresses the brain's ability to tell when one is full, so one feels hungry all the time. Left me void of emotions of any kind, more like just feeling completely numb. Weaning myself off of Paxil was very difficult - flu-like symptoms, clouded thinking, blurred vision, among other things. It was the first antidepressant that I had ever taken, so I didn't know that I wasn't supposed to feel numb. I'm sure it's a wonderful medicine for some people, but it didn't work well for me."

• aut...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 11, 2022

Paroxetine for Depression "On Paxil for borderline personality disorder. I've been on a variation of dosages from 20 mg to 40 mg and to 30 mg. It worked really well. The first two weeks, I had a sodium crave! Pickles and mustard, anything to get more salt. I had no weight gain aside from the birth control I also started. And it self-reminds you to take it daily! With that being said, it’s a great drug but difficult to get off of. I’m currently taking my last 2.5 mg chip, trying to get off this drug without severe withdrawals. Brain zaps, always hot and sweaty… I’d wake up with my hair sopping wet like I just stood in the shower. I’d recommend being super cautious and slightly lower it (2.5-5 mg) bi-weekly for the least amount of side effects. I dropped from 30 mg to 20 mg and experienced those nasty symptoms. Trying out a different med to see if my borderline personality disorder symptoms lessen."

• Son...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 30, 2023

Paroxetine for Hot Flashes "It's surprising to read all these bad reviews, especially those about the terrible side effects. I've had a great experience with Brisdelle - no side effects and a dramatic reduction in the number of hot flashes and the severity. I would estimate an improvement of about 85%. I did gain some weight, but from what I read, the dosage is too low to have a causal effect; probably just part of menopause."

• Anonymous
• November 24, 2009

Paroxetine for Anxiety and Stress "I have been on Paxil for 3 months and have gained 6 pounds. Doesn't sound that bad, except I've been going to the gym like crazy to counteract this side effect, and still the scale keeps creeping up. I have almost zero interest in having sex, and when I do have sex, I cannot have an orgasm. Any interest in sex I do have is counteracted by the fact that I feel gross having gained extra weight. If I were single, I might not mind the sex issue as much, but if you are in a relationship, I would consider a different drug."

• Bri...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 26, 2023

For Panic Disorder "I got diagnosed with postpartum panic disorder after my first daughter in 2019. I got put on Paxil and loved it. It also helped my social anxiety, which I didn’t know at the time was a problem until I took Paxil and it disappeared completely. I asked to be taken off after a year because of weight gain and put on Wellbutrin, which was hell because of the depersonalization issues that were a side effect for me. I was put on Zoloft after becoming pregnant with my second daughter since it’s safe for pregnancy. I was on it for a year also, but then it felt like it didn’t work for me anymore. I asked to get put back on Paxil recently because I’d rather have the weight gain and be anxiety-free than to be skinny and anxious. I’m only on week one of Paxil again and no side effects I can really notice besides grogginess when I wake up, but hopefully it’ll go away."

• Sha...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 16, 2021

Paroxetine for Panic Disorder "Pros: I was suffering from anxiety attacks since the age of 16, and the frequency of these attacks and generalized anxiety and panic attacks are increasing with age. I have been on several medications, but none have worked for me as Paxil does. I started with 12.5 mg CR and then 25 mg after breakfast. It started working for me after 3 to 4 weeks. My panic attacks are gone, and after six months, I have my life back. I can go out with friends, I can drive on highways without any fear of having a panic attack. I feel like this disorder never occurred to me. I am very satisfied with this drug, and it restores my confidence, and I can enjoy my life normally. Cons: Delayed ejaculation, very low sex drive (25 mg), not with 12.5 mg, weight gain."

• Dee...
• August 19, 2015

Paroxetine for Panic Disorder "I started on Paxil in the late 1990s for panic disorders and depression. I am 5'6" and was about 118 lbs. I stayed on Paxil for about 4 years and came off because I wanted to get pregnant. It saved my life, truly. I felt great, and I was able to enjoy driving again, going to the mall, able to take an elevator, able to stay at home alone, wait in lines at supermarkets, work without fear of losing it, etc. After coming off very slowly, the good effects lasted about a year. However, while on Paxil, I gained 60 lbs. After my son was born in 2004, I had postpartum depression, so I again went back on Paxil. It didn't work as well as the first time, but it helped get me back to feeling just alright. I came off again due to more weight gain."

• dep...
• April 7, 2010

Paroxetine for Depression "I have taken Paxil for about 6 months. I have not had any weight gain as I had previously with other medications. I feel emotionally much more stable, and the side effects have been minimal. I still feel tired occasionally and have some trouble with my short-term memory, but my overall quality of life seems to be better, and although I still feel mildly blue at times, the feeling is not as intense and doesn't linger for weeks. Happy with the medicine."

• Anonymous
• June 24, 2010

Paroxetine for Panic Disorder "Paxil has been providing pretty good relief at 30 mg - not as effective as benzodiazepines, but I was pretty surprised. I've had horrible trials with SSRIs/side effects for Panic Disorder, but Paxil hasn't been as bad - stomach upset for a month adjusting to it - some weight gain, sexual side effects... mostly gone now 5 months in. Rough guess, I'd say about 75% fewer Panic Attacks. I've a number of medical conditions, and some medicines will rock the boat, but I'm able to get through with Xanax 'as needed' - (used to be 'always' needed)."