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

• sun...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 4, 2025

Paroxetine for Anxiety "At age 30, I developed severe anxiety, panic, and almost agoraphobia. I was put on Prozac, and it worked for almost 20 years. I regained about 70% of the life I once had. Could never fly again or drive long distances myself. But could enjoy most things, be productive at work, and have friends. I lived in my own small world. Prozac worked pretty well until one day it just stopped working. I then spent 2 years trying Lexapro, Wellbutrin, Celexa, and many other drugs, which made me worse. I found a new doctor, and he recommended Paxil. I started to feel better almost immediately. I was able to get my life back with no anxiety or panic. I would say I was 80% back to who I once was, but I gained 30 lbs (while exercising and eating healthy), more importantly, I was tired a lot, and my personality felt flat. My doctor suggested I wean myself off Paxil and try Viibryd 10 mg to start. My anxiety and panic have come back, and I feel racy and annoyed all the time. I am only on day 13 of Viibryd with no Paxil."

• Amb...
• December 9, 2017

Paroxetine for Depression "I was on Paxil for a little over a year and am currently weaning off. I suffer from depression, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and generalized anxiety. I started Paxil at 10 mg and went all the way up to 40 mg within the first couple of months. This drug did wonders for my panic disorder, PTSD, and anxiety, but made my depression worse! The reason I decided to stop taking it is that I didn't want to get out of bed anymore, and I gained about 60 lbs since I started taking it. Funny they call it an antidepressant when, in the end, it made my depression worse. I am trying Wellbutrin now, but I won't know how well that works until I'm completely off the Paxil in a couple of weeks. The withdrawal is awful, even while weaning."

• SHa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 16, 2022

Paroxetine for Anxiety "I had severe anxiety as a child that only got worse until I started paroxetine. I used to have panic attacks multiple times a day, and it was affecting my ability to go to school, interact with people, have a job, or sleep. I lived in constant fear and couldn't talk to people without overthinking it. Once I started on paroxetine, I have a more relaxed attitude, less overthinking, and I'm not living in fear. It's like my anxiety was never there. I have a customer service job that I enjoy and don't overthink every interaction. I don't experience the numbness/lack of emotions others reported, I have a full range of emotion, and most of the time I feel content. I did gain a little weight (20 lbs), but I'm not sure if that's a result of the medication or because I started taking it when I was 16 and my body is different. I stopped gaining weight at a certain point. The only really hard part about it is that I can't miss a dose, or I get withdrawal with severe panic attacks."

• KTa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 9, 2019

Paroxetine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "If you are handed a prescription for this, please do your research first. Unfortunately, I started taking this as I was desperate to get my anxiety under control, and my GP didn’t want to prescribe me Valium anymore, so I thought, why not? After one year of being on this, I have gained almost 20 kg. I eat well and move around a fair bit, but the weight just keeps on coming. It did well for my social anxiety, that’s because I didn’t want to leave the house embarrassed with how much weight I had gained. Now, I am weaning off from 40 mg and am on 10 mg with the hope to be off completely. Withdrawal symptoms are comparable to having the flu tenfold. Detached sense of reality and agitation that normally wouldn’t be there. Even the sound of someone coughing is making me angry. Heightened sensory disturbances and insomnia have also come along. Avoid if you can. There are better SSRIs out there if you need some help. This stuff is awful."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 20, 2021

Paroxetine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have been on Paxil for probably a year and a half now, and while it does cause some problems (sexual dysfunction, weight gain, bouts of depression, acne, dry mouth), it has really helped with my anxiety. I had really bad anxiety to the point I would hear things and see things. I felt crazy all of the time and almost had to be committed to a mental health hospital. But Paxil really helped for all of those thoughts to go away. Yeah, I have some side effects, but what do you expect? I would much rather have the side effects than feeling crazy all the time and being scared constantly. I give it an 8."

• Anonymous
• March 31, 2009

Paroxetine for Panic Disorder "I have had panic disorder since I was about 6. It came and went and has caused me severe avoidance issues throughout my life. I have been taking Paxil for about 8 years, and it has worked wonders. It has been awesome...until recently. Within the last 4 months, it just seems to have quit working well. I am having severe attacks from time to time, but I am starting to avoid things/situations. It did make me gain about 30 pounds. I tend to clench my jaws, and I startle easily, but those are the only side effects I notice. My family and close friends say I am much more of a pleasure to be around while I am on it. I am not a mean person, nor do I have anger issues, but I am just not so anxious and uptight."

• Anonymous
• July 31, 2009

Paroxetine for Panic Disorder "Paxil CR helped control the anxiety and panic attacks. It did allow me to live my life normally. However, I have had one big side effect. Since January, I have gained 35 lbs. It does not matter that I work out four or five days a week for 1 1/2 or two hours and try to eat a healthy diet. No matter what I did, I continually gained weight. My doctor has now taken me off of it due to the rapid weight gain I have experienced. She felt that the rapid weight gain was not healthy and could lead to obesity if I did not quit taking the drug. So, I am going to come off of Paxil CR, hopefully drop this excessive weight because I have never had a weight problem until now, and I am 31 years old, and just go from there."

• JC6...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 14, 2020

Paroxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "Paxil has some side effects like ED and sexual dysfunction that I don't like, as well as weight gain. But I recently discovered that adding Pristiq or Effexor helps a lot with depression when Paxil alone isn't enough, and it somewhat helps with sexual disorders. Still, ask your doctor if this combination is right for you because it doesn't help everyone. Start slow, and you don't need a high dose either. Paxil is effective for anxiety, and Pristiq is effective for depression. The combo works for me."

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

Paroxetine 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!"

• TWG...
• June 7, 2017

Paroxetine "Paxil was a miracle drug for me in that it completely got rid of my anxiety and depression. The feeling of dread I'd been carrying around in the pit of my stomach for years was finally gone! However, it caused a 50-pound weight gain and, as a result, edema and other issues. I'm now on Wellbutrin XL and slowly starting to lose the weight."

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

Paroxetine 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

Paroxetine 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

Paroxetine 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

Paroxetine 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."

• Dav...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 10, 2021

For Anxiety "I was prescribed paroxetine following bouts of severe anxiety, which rendered me housebound. Initially, I had some really bad side effects on 20 mg, including headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and worsening of the anxiety. I stuck with them, and at about week three, I began to notice improvements, the anxiety reduced as did the side effects. You need to stick with the medication in the early days, as if, like me, the side effects were quite bad. Now I’m a hell of a lot better, the anxiety has reduced significantly, and I’m functioning again. There are long-term side effects, which include weight gain, and I’ve noticed this, but I addressed this with exercise, and I’m back to my normal weight. These are my experiences, and everybody is different with their journey on this medication, but for me, they are lifesavers."

• Sam...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 13, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "This medication is effective, however, it causes weight gain, and the withdrawal is horrendous. I went off the medication because of the weight gain. I suffered horrible withdrawal, including panic attacks, chest pain, and depression. I lost 30 pounds fast but developed health anxiety and fear. I went back on the medication just a few months later. I felt better after a few weeks, but I gained the weight back, and it’s the one thing I hate about this medication, but it’s what works for me. I don’t recommend paroxetine as a first choice. Try other medications because, once again, the weight gain is unavoidable because the hunger pangs are constant. It also causes fatigue, but the fatigue isn’t overwhelming, and I never experienced nausea. Overall, it’s an effective medication."

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

Paroxetine 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

Paroxetine 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

Paroxetine 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

Paroxetine 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

Paroxetine 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

Paroxetine 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

Paroxetine 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

Paroxetine 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."

• ama...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 27, 2023

For Depression "Started Paxil in 2013 for seasonal depression and anxiety - just feeling like things were getting worse and I could use a little help. I'm not sure that it ever did much for me, I never felt incredible. It did make me lazy, and I did gain weight. Here I am 10 years later, trying to come off of it, and I feel worse and more crazy than I ever have in my entire life. I thought the physical withdrawal symptoms were bad - they are not nearly as bad as the mental and emotional state you will be in. I cannot laugh, even though I know things are funny, I don't laugh. I don't want to be touched. I am angry - seriously angry and irritable. Feelings of hopelessness and crying. I'm just about to go back to it just so I can tolerate myself again. This is insane. Just don't take it."