I still seem to be gaining weight. I run 5and a half miles per day. Does anyone think this is due to the lexapro? Should I change medications? I also have anxiety. Thanks.
Lexapro - I am exercising & watching food intake but can't lose weight, could Lexapro b responsible
Question posted by alicianbids on 11 April 2011
Last updated on 28 February 2012
Answers
LaurieShay
13 April 2011
Hey alicianbids,
While gaining weight while on an antidepressant such as Lexapro is not uncommon, it really is a matter of calorie intake. Calories consumed must equal or be less than calories burned or you are going to gain the weight. You seem to have the key ingredients in place such as the exercise and watching your diet, are you counting calories? You may benefit from keeping a dairy of your foods consumed and record the calories and just see what it adds up to at the end of the day. If you find that the calories burned are equal to or greater than the calories consumed then talk to your doctor and show him/her the diary. Then you can make an educated decision about the Lexapro.
Good luck,
Laurie
caringsonbj
13 April 2011
Laurie is exactly right what happens with one person is not the rule for another yesterday when I told you I had taken Lexapro it may have been my body and sometimes we gain weight and other times we loose weight especially given the fact that we are going through depression as well as the medication to treat it, I like the idea of keeping and diary of what you are eating and it will just make you even more aware of what is going on. I wish you only the very best --
alicianbids
13 April 2011
Thank you all for the information. I am fairly new to this medication and really value all the input. Thanks again!
caringsonbj
12 April 2011
I used Lexapro for a short time but I did not experience this, but every person is different and medication affects people differently, You seem to be watching your diet and getting exercise what you might do is have a talk with the doctor and see what he has to say, I sure hope this medication does help and that you find out what is the problem with the weight, I wish you only the very best
Mrszilch
28 Feb 2012
Hi caringsonbj, I took Lex for 5 years following the sudden death of my husband od 36 years. No problem with weight gain for first 3. Last 2 started putting on pounds with no change in anything then the last the weight just kept coming in spite of being on Jenny & increasing exercise. The weight I put on was not in the same place as it had always been when it would creep up. I have read this is due to Lex. I felt I was ready to come off Lex..worked with my Dr but am still having terrible discontinuation symptoms 6 months out. I dont recommend taking a course of some sort of benzo to help transition off as some on this sight have..i personally dont think it helps and now you have 2 sets of side effects and discontinuation effects to deal with. I needed it, or something similar, at the time. But I sure do wish I had never been on Lex and stayed with cognitive therapy only. It is incidious in how it just numbed all my senses & the weight gain. My 2 cents. My best to you.
Related topics
lexapro, anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, weight, food, medication
Further information
- Lexapro uses and safety info
- Lexapro prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Lexapro (detailed)
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