Zoloft and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Anonymous
• September 9, 2009

For Anxiety and Stress "I started using Zoloft for anxiety and minor depression. It has been a Godsend. I was overwhelmed and lethargic, now I am back to myself, I have energy again. I had the typical side effects for the first few weeks, but they have subsided. No weight gain or sexual side effects for me. I am very happy with the results. Everyone is different, and the medications are all different, so remember to talk to your doctor if after 6 weeks you don't feel different or worse."

• Mas...
• July 24, 2009

For Depression "Zoloft is not a good medicine for 'severe' depression. I have OCD, and that is what this medicine is best used for. It does help with the anxiety and the headaches that go along with it. It keeps the obsessive thoughts to a minimum. My compulsive need to make everything perfect is also gone. It makes you more social, too. It has not made me gain weight. It is a good drug if used for OCD."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 3, 2019

For Depression "I take this medication for my depression, anxiety, and OCD, and I gained some weight and other side effects, but only for the first week. I felt more confident in college at first, but I noticed I was having trouble sleeping, and now I have insomnia. I mean, I’m writing this at 3 am. Everyone was telling me how much happier I’ve been, like they know what’s going on in my head, so I quietly just nod. I haven’t felt any emotions in the longest time, and I just give up."

• Anonymous
• March 20, 2012

For Depression "I have been on Zoloft for about 6 weeks. I was experiencing depression, which manifested itself in crying spells, anger, helplessness, and loss of motivation. It took approximately 4 weeks for me to notice any changes, but I have noticed recently that I have motivation once again, and I have not experienced any side effects, which I was dreading, such as loss of sexual desire and weight gain. I feel like my normal self again and am now able to handle the issues of my life. Prior to this, I was sad a lot and having many crying bouts. I haven't noticed any negative side effects whatsoever."

• Anonymous
• November 17, 2008

For Anxiety and Stress "I started using Zoloft one and a half years ago. It definitely helped my mood, especially anxiety and depression. I also have a much more stable mood throughout my day. It did cause me to gain weight when I started taking it, but I was not eating enough prior to taking the medicine. Occasionally, I would get headaches, and after a while my body started having panic attacks again. But for the first year at least, I would say it was the perfect medication."

• van...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 15, 2019

For Depression "Just plain awful. While on it, I gained 10 lbs, still felt depressed, still had anxiety, and was mentally unstable. Because I'm an idiot, I went off of Zoloft cold turkey over the summer of 2017 and was absolutely miserable and extremely mentally unstable (because I wasn't crazy enough while on it, apparently). Super unstable + brain zaps = catastrophe. However, we later found out I didn't respond to it because of my genetics, so I can't be too mad about it not working since I'm a super small part of the population."

• ali...
• December 19, 2017

For Depression "This drug changed my life. I was really struggling my sophomore year of high school to the point where I couldn't leave my house. I'd struggled with anxiety my whole life, but it got so bad I was paralyzed by it, leading me into an episode of depression. I started therapy over the winter break and almost immediately was prescribed Zoloft. I gained some weight at first, but my mood steadily began to improve. I stopped wanting to self-harm and I stopped fantasizing about suicide within a month. It fixed my inner clock as well, as I started being tired at normal times. This was difficult at first, but beneficial in the long run."

• J_M...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 14, 2013

For Depression "Zoloft did not help me at all. I was on it for about 3 months, worked up to 100 mg. I was tired and hungry all the time. I gained 20 lbs and slept all day. I was a complete zombie. Definitely made my depression worse."

• DFW...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 17, 2017

For Depression "My internist prescribed me 25 mg of Zoloft daily as an alternative to Wellbutrin. The side effects were not worth the benefit for me. In the seven weeks I faithfully used the med, I suffered from severe fatigue, inability to orgasm, weight gain, acne, and chest heaviness. As a thirty-something, in-shape mother of two, I have zero time for naps, so fatigue was not a livable option for me. I'm actually really surprised by the weight gain, as I hit the gym daily. The pros of this medicine would be: my sweet tooth was non-existent. That's probably it."

• Anonymous
• March 30, 2011

For Depression "The first week was rough, but this medicine has totally changed my life. I'm confident; I go out and do things. Life is enjoyable, and I feel optimistic about the future. No more random panic attacks or feelings of worthlessness. Sometimes people say I'm too easygoing, but I can be serious when needed; basically, I'm in control again. Been on it for 4 years (50 mg daily) and may never go off it. Have noticed some weight gain and hot flashes in extremely stressful/confrontational situations."

• Wor...
• February 23, 2016

For Panic Disorder "I have been on this medication for over a year. Was prescribed 50 mg by my doctor due to severe anxiety and panic disorder. I have since not had a single severe panic attack, it also helped a little with my social anxiety. However, it takes longer to reach orgasm, and I am only in the mood at nighttime. I have gained 40 pounds, and I seem to lack motivation. I also feel like the effects are slowly wearing off, so I may have to up the dose slightly or switch to a new medication. I had no initial side effects. I think this medicine works a lot better for anxiety than depression."

• Lun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 15, 2021

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I tried quite a few antidepressants, but only Zoloft deserves my review. I have been taking Sertraline for almost a month, and I am so happy that I didn't give up on changing from my previous Escitalopram, Prozac, and Citalopram. I suffer from PDD, then from PTD and anxiety. The first two weeks were hard, but I started to have interest in activities again (week 4). Don't worry about weight gain, I was, that's why I stopped Escitalopram. Zoloft does not make me feel ravenous at all. So glad."

• Spi...
• August 5, 2015

For Depression "My healthcare provider switched my 20 mg daily dose of Lexapro to Zoloft. I was to completely stop Lexapro and begin Zoloft with a dose of 200 mg daily. That was 6 months ago. I am not having a good experience with Zoloft. My dosage was adjusted down over a period of 3 weeks to 50 mg. My mind was constantly whirling with anxiety, my mood was total chaos, swinging from depressed to mad. My alcohol consumption was increased both by quantity and frequency. My appetite increased in the frequency of hunger and the amount of food I consume, but I never seem to hit the full feeling. I am seesawing between 100 to 200 mg daily at this time, trying to totally stop Zoloft. Main reasons: weight gain (30 lbs in 4 months) & increased alcohol craving."

• Anonymous
• April 7, 2009

For Anxiety and Stress "I've been on Zoloft for about a year. Sure, my sex drive has decreased and my weight has increased, but I no longer feel like I'm falling apart at the seams, and I'm genuinely happy. My doctor tried to increase my dose once, and I was so perky that I couldn't concentrate at work! 50 mg is plenty for me!"

• Sly...
• August 28, 2009

For Anxiety and Stress "I started taking 50 mg of Zoloft about 6 months ago. I started taking it for depression, stress/anxiety. It does the trick, but there are two side effects I don't like. First, I have put on weight, and second, climaxing is near impossible."

• Anonymous
• January 25, 2010

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "It really helped me years ago when I took it for about 16 months. It was a nice break from my OCD, which is pretty moderate. I had to take 200 mg a day for it to be fully effective. I did gain a few pounds and took longer to orgasm. But it all worked fine. The sad part is you do have a trade-off when you take these things. The good news is you can stop taking it for a couple of days, and then orgasm is normal, as it has a short half-life. Then go right back to normal on dosage. It quit working for me after about 16 months, and nothing else worked, so I decided to just be without it. I would try it if you need to."

• Anonymous
• November 2, 2009

For Social Anxiety Disorder "I have been on Zoloft for almost one year. After reading some of the other posts, I have realized my weight gain is caused by the medication. Or is it? How do I know? My anxiety is much better, but I need to find a way to maintain my weight because I don't want to stop the medication."

• jud...
• November 28, 2021

For Depression "For depression and anxiety. 50 mg a day. Have been taking for almost 6 months. Overall, it has helped. My moderate anxiety has definitely lessened. My depression (which I would also describe as moderate pre-Zoloft) is milder now. It took about 4 months for the side effect of occasional weird thinking to wear off, but I was drinking alcohol on Zoloft for most of that time period. I haven't been drinking for the past month. The big knock on Zoloft for me (and the only reason it doesn't get a 10) is the libido side effects. It has become difficult to ejaculate, and when I do, it doesn't feel as good as it used to. Viagra helps with erection and ability to ejaculate quite a bit, but it's still not the same as pre-Zoloft. It's a trade-off, I guess. I have also put on quite a bit of weight, and faster than I ever have in my life. I think there's a correlation to Zoloft, but can't be sure."

• Rac...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 28, 2021

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "I have been on sertraline/Zoloft for 5 years. It has saved my life. I have experienced a lot of trauma growing up, especially through my teens. It wasn’t until my 20s that I was finally diagnosed with PTSD, and after being misdiagnosed with depression for years and treated with many other meds which never helped me, sertraline was a saving grace. I no longer go from 0-100 with my mood and episodes. I no longer have panic attacks. I no longer have suicidal ideation or attempts. It saved my relationship, and I have been a better mother. I am wanting to see my doctor to slowly decrease from 100 mg a day (I started on 200 mg) and eventually come off them completely. The only negative I have had is slight weight gain. I’m still healthy, but I have gained around 7 kg - I exercise and eat well. I’m not overweight, but I do struggle to shift the excess weight I’d rather not have!"

• Kel...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 29, 2021

For Depression "I've gained weight, but this is the only med that has worked for me - so far. I tried Wellbutrin and found that it did not help me at all. I will say my anxiety could be better, so I am looking for something else currently."

• Mim...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 13, 2021

For Depression "I have gained 2 stone in 1 year from taking this med. I am calmer than before, but the weight gain is making me depressed again. So feel like it is pointless taking this. Going to get my doctor to start taking me off this."

• hal...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 20, 2013

For Panic Disorder "I have panic disorder along with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Zoloft did help me for a while, but over time I noticed weight gain, emotional numbness, night sweats, and just general laziness. I didn't care for anything! After much research, I discovered that all anti-anxiety meds begin to lose their effect over time. But it did help me for the first 4 years I took it."

• cla...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 13, 2012

For Depression "I was put on this for depression. The first day I took it, I got extreme fatigue, and it took so much willpower to get up and do anything. I just did not want to move. I also got out of breath doing the simplest things, like getting out of my car and standing up. I was a total zombie. These symptoms decreased within a few weeks, but it was awful to get through. In addition, I was 130 lbs. when I began taking it and blew up to 209 lbs. over one year, despite not eating more or exercising less. It also didn't help my depression. So in the end, it did not help me, and I gained 79 lbs. in one year. As soon as I stopped taking it, my weight dropped down to 160 lbs. without doing anything."

• mmv...
• October 20, 2011

For Depression "I've taken Zoloft off and on for depression and OCD for the past 10 years and have experienced few side effects. I am now taking 100 mg and am fine continuing on it for the rest of my life, though perhaps I'll go down to 50 mg at some point. It's been a real life-saver for me; I am rarely down and still feel very much myself. Also, it hasn't led to any weight gain. In all, I am very satisfied."

• Anonymous
• March 28, 2011

For Depression "I have depression and anxiety, lately more depression, from being 40, with kids, uncomfortable marriage. Lexapro has suppressed things but I had become unemotional. On 50mg for a week now of Zoloft and the difference is incredible! I have reasonable emotions and more energy to want to do the things I planned on but didn't do before. Sleeping is off and on a problem, has always been, but dreams are waking me up for being so vivid. Appetite is down, I'm glad. I had been steadily gaining weight because I didn't want to do anything, but now my stomach is bad, and I'm scared to go anywhere. Hoping that will go away. Can't say much about sex, not having any."