Antidepressants That Can Cause Weight Gain
While each person responds differently to antidepressant medications, the following are some of the ones that may be associated with weight gain in some people:
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most commonly prescribed type of antidepressant. Long-term use of these medications may lead to weight gain. SSRIs include Prozac (fluoxetine), Celexa (citalopram), Paxil (paroxetine), and Zoloft (sertraline). Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are an older class of antidepressants that are used less frequently today because newer medications are less likely to cause side effects. Some of these TCAs include Elavil (amitriptyline), Adapin (doxepin), Vivactil (protriptyline), and Surmontil (trimipramine). Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) may also cause weight gain, including Nardil (phenelzine), Marplan (isocarboxazid), and Parnate (tranylcypromine). Atypical antidepressants are a group of antidepressants that work differently from other antidepressant medications and as a result, don’t fit neatly into one of the other classes. Remeron (mirtazapine) is an atypical antidepressant that has been linked to weight gain in research.
Research suggests that around 10% of people who take SSRIs longer than six months experience some weight gain.
Causes
There are a few theories about why weight gain can occur with antidepressant use, but no concrete conclusions. There are a number of factors that can play a role. Because antidepressants lessen feelings of depression, people may regain the appetite they lost when they were depressed. Some medications, such as Remeron, appear to cause an increase in appetite, which contributes to weight gain. Additionally, appetite and activity changes as a result of depression itself can contribute to weight gain independent of antidepressant use.
Get a Checkup
If you’re experiencing weight gain while on antidepressant therapy, it may be worth getting a complete physical. Sometimes weight gain after antidepressant therapy is presumed to be a side effect, but it may be related to an underlying medical condition. For example, an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), is a common medical condition that can cause weight gain among other symptoms. Short-term antidepressant use is less likely to contribute to weight gain, so you should discuss your treatment options with your doctor if your treatment will require an extended period of antidepressant use.
Talk to Your Prescribing Physician
With safety and effectiveness so well-established, many physicians have become comfortable prescribing antidepressants to their patients. Unfortunately, not all are as comfortable with treating the unwanted side effects. If you experience weight gain while on antidepressants, it is important to have a candid conversation with your prescriber. Equally important is that you feel your prescriber understands your concerns and is willing to work with you to develop a plan. Healthcare providers are not all equal when it comes to dealing with antidepressant side effects. Many healthcare professionals will be more focused on treating depressive symptoms than on minimizing weight-related side effects. Questions you might ask your doctor include:
Are these side effects normal for this medication?Is there anything you can do to help minimize the side effects?Are there other medications that might be as effective?Would changing the dose help reduce side effects?
Talking to your doctor about your concerns can help you better understand your situation and come up with a plan to help address weight gain.
Antidepressants Less Likely to Cause Weight Gain
You might also want to consider asking your doctor about an antidepressant treatment plan that may be less likely to cause weight gain. For example, Celexa, Prozac, and Zoloft are not likely to cause weight gain if they are used for six months or less. Other antidepressants that appear less likely to have weight gain as a side effect include:
Cymbalta (duloxetine)Effexor (venlafaxine)Lexapro (escitalopram)Pristiq (desvenlafaxine)Trintellix (vortioxetine)
An antidepressant that works well for one person may not be as effective for another. The same can be said for side effects. Switching from one antidepressant to another may provide adequate symptom control for you without weight gain.
Preventing Antidepressant Weight Gain
In addition to talking to your physician, there are other steps that you can take to lessen weight gain that might be caused by antidepressants. Diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes may help you manage your weight effectively as you continue to treat your symptoms of depression.
Diet
Fueling your body with nutrient-dense whole foods can not only support healthy weight management but also your mental health. Eating a healthy diet that includes adequate protein (i.e., lean meat, fish), carbohydrate (i.e., fruits, beans, whole grains, and vegetables), and fat (i.e., olive oil, canola oil) may help with food cravings and hasten weight loss.
Exercise
From better heart function to improved mood, exercise has vast benefits for both the mind and body. Regular physical exercise doesn’t have to be intensive to be beneficial. Studies show even a little exercise offers benefits.
A Word From Verywell
Some antidepressants have been associated with weight gain. Depression itself can also be associated with weight gain. It’s important to recognize that there are many factors that can affect weight including age, diet, and activity levels. But if you are concerned about weight gain while taking antidepressants, talk to your doctor. Weight gain alone may not be a good reason to change your antidepressant medication if it is working effectively, but making a switch or working with your doctor on other lifestyle changes can help.
