I have severe anxiety and panic attacks. I have been on Zoloft and lexapro and gained 40 pounds. They both helped with my anxiety tremendously, but I was overeating to the point of sickness. I have been off all meds for about 4 months and I’ve lost 18 pounds, but my anxiety is so out of control and I don’t want to have to take Ativan. Please help.
Buspirone - Have any of you experienced weight gain from this medication?
Question posted by Lrn7979 on 15 Jan 2019
Last updated on 25 August 2022 by Heath2000
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
10 Answers
Heath2000
26 Aug 2022
My son gained weight on this medication. He has a brain injury and he’s only 11. He’s been on quite a few meds. He started taking Buspar 10 mg daily about a year ago and he has gained some weight since then that is clearly from the med.
sphil001
2 July 2022
Hi, I personally have been on it for now 1.5 months and my weight is up 9 lbs with no lifestyle change. My provider also said yes, it causes that unfortunately. I am taking it for pretty bad OCD and intrusive thoughts. Since I have history of disorder eating and have really significant body image issues, this is very distressing to me. Do any of y’all know if when you get off you can lose this weight at all or if it’s permanent?
WildcatVet
2 July 2022
If you and your doctor decide to take you off the buspirone you will lose the weight but not immediately. It may take several weeks to a month or two to shed it all.
WildcatVet
2 July 2022
"Metabolic
Uncommon (0.1% to 1% of users): Weight gain, weight loss"
PatFrat
3 July 2021
Yep, I have been on Buspar 30 mgs for a year and have put on 30 lbs. Did not notice at first, than, all of a sudden, my bras and underpants stopped fitting. I have been putting it on gradually, a little at a time. I am willing to stop taking this med, but will the weight come off? It did not when I stopped Effexor.
BethDee
6 June 2021
I started taking Buspar 2.5 weeks ago for anxiety caused my OCD/intrusive thoughts. I instantly began experiencing swelling in my hands and feet, which I at first attributed to my new mattress, thinking it too firm, but adding a memory gel topper didn’t help. Shortly thereafter, my appetite spun out of control and I was unable to adhere to my intermittent fasting schedule and began craving sweets snd carbs, which is out of character for me. I have been eating like a teenage boy!! Although the doctor assured me that only in rare cases is weight gain a problem, I’ve put on 4 pounds in 2 weeks, which is not really enough time to even know if it is effective for my anxiety, but enough information for me to know it’s not going to work for me in terms of the side effect of weight gain. So it is farewell to Buspar, and back to the old drawing board for me.
Klonopinkid
6 June 2021
I'd take like half doses for a couple of days just to taper off it.
WildcatVet
6 June 2021
Unfortunately, most if not all psychotropic medications can cause weight gain in some users by causing metabolic changes. Just because you gain on one doesn't necessarily mean you will on another so let your doctor know about your fear and get their professional opinion.
Personally I prefer a few extra pounds to the daily misery of my anxiety disorders.
Trallyn
7 June 2021
Excellent advice, cause mine (escitalopram) made me have loss of appetite. Ask your doctor and tell them what you're going through, hang in there.
Sexyreds42
9 March 2020
I have been on this medicine sometime now and I was Wondering why I started gaining weight out of nowhere and I pulled up the medication and found out that it makes you gain weight so I immediately stopped taking it
Del77
30 Jan 2020
I gained as much as 60+ pounds while on it and my eating habits were getting out of hand, it was like I was becoming hungry for no reason. It became very uncomfortable so I stopped taking it regularly and in the last 6 days I've dropped 10 pounds, but just like you my anxiety and depression was hard to deal with.
Zozo54
28 Dec 2019
I have gained 45 pounds in 2 years. Now I know why. I don't eat that much at all.
MuseMyself
17 Jan 2019
I’m very straight forward whenever, I answer a question even though, it’s not always best as it can prevent people from even trying something...
Yes, I have gained weight. I didn’t know it was the medication until, it was increased to the max and stopped working after, seven years. I wasn’t eating more just wasn’t losing weight I had put on. My weight has been a roller coaster for years...
The buspar was discontinued about nine months ago between that and getting off trazodone. I began losing weight like crazy. I seriously, thought my scale was broken and bought another one in the summer. I had bought a few shirts and pants not knowing I lost weight that fell off me.
It’s not common for people to gain weight on buspar. I wasn’t on trazodone longer than, a month as I knew it had that affect on me. I discontinued both at the same time. Even though, it caused some weight gain and made it difficult to lose weight. I still would go back on it as it worked so well at one time. Besides, I was on other medication that had made a noticeable difference in weight I had to discontinue because of it. I was on a medication that made me rapidly gain weight. Buspar was not like that for me. I began buspar in 2011 my panic was out of control at that time. It helped me so well I was able to lower my benzodiazepines dose for the first time in 6yrs. Sometimes what we don’t know only helps... since, I didn’t know about the weight change it only helped me stay in control of my panic symptoms for many years. I gained more weight on other medications than, I had on buspar. It’s a great medication I didn’t feel any ill effects from. If, it continued to help me I would rather gain a few pounds than, have panic attacks on a very high dose of benzodiazepines I’m on currently.
I know there’s controversy about people who suffer from anxiety to take stimulant medications but, there have been studies that proved to be affective with patients who suffered from panic attack when, other meds seemed to be unhelpful. Stimulants are approved for binge eating disorders as well they may help with panic.
I have ADD if, my ADD is untreated my panic attacks are actually worse.
Also, I was on topamax since a teenager I felt topamax was most helpful with many issues I suffer from. It is helpful to counter act a medication like and antidepressants or antipsychotic that has side effects that may cause weight gain and binge eating. Topamax has also helped with my anxiety and impulsiveness as well. Just be careful with generic topamax. if, you feel any adverse affects change generics until, one works. My doctor wrote for brand medically necessary in order to be sure I wouldn’t have any issues with generics. The only side effects I had on topamax was pins and needles that went away after, a few weeks reaching my therapeutic dose. I hope my experience has helped you.
If, the medication helps and it’s not a drastic change in weight give it a chance. If, your doctor is open to suggestions you may offer like trying something like topamax & treating the negative side effects from other helpful medications. It won’t hurt to try.
Don’t give up as I wish you the best!
Take care
Muse
MuseMyself
17 Jan 2019
https://www.drugs.com/sfx/buspar-side-effects.html
I didn’t experience any of these side effects. I only know I lost weight after the medication was discontinued. It didn’t bother me while many medicines had before.
In the side effects it actually states that weight gain or loss are both uncommon.
WildcatVet
15 Jan 2019
Hello! I've been taking a high dose of buspirone for several years and have not gained any weight at all. It is listed as a very uncommon side effect, but so is weight loss:
"Metabolic
Uncommon (0.1% to 1% of users): Weight gain, weight loss"
I think it's certainly worth a try and is a much safer option than a benzo.
Best regards and I hope you can feel better soon. Wild Cat
MuseMyself
17 Jan 2019
I agree! As I read through the side effects it could cause edema. I did have edema but, other medications had caused edema as well.
If, you do gain anything it’s not drastic. I had no idea.
Also, whenever I am in a state of panic I don’t eat. So, there maybe more reasons I should have mentioned before, I posted my answer.
Please, give it a try. I am very self conscious myself and would go back on it in a heart beat.
Pic25
15 Jan 2019
Hi, I think initially I did gain weight back because I lost it due to anxiety. But if I’m watching what I eat, I can lose weight and won’t gain. I hope this helps!
Related topics
weight loss (obesity/overweight), anxiety, panic disorder, buspirone, weight, medication
Further information
- Buspirone uses and safety info
- Buspirone prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Buspirone (detailed)
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