I just started taking this medication and am trying to plan a wedding and don't want to put on a lot of extra weight so I can fit in my dress.
Nortriptyline - Was it a drastic amount of weight gained?
Question posted by Jeanne13 on 24 Aug 2012
Last updated on 6 March 2022 by flowerbox12
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.
14 Answers
flowerbox12
6 March 2022
I found that I was hungry on this med. If you feel like you're starving, check your blood sugar regularly and 20 min. after meals. Nortriptyline drops my blood sugar often. I am not diabetic. You can get used to the adrenaline rush and not even know it. I've had to watch my sugar carefully until I adjust to the med.
Oceanguy521
21 Feb 2020
You may want to start exercise and watch what you eat because i didn't know i was gaining weight and gained about 15 pounds over 3 months. You're results may vary.
lipstick17
24 Aug 2019
I think I’ve gained about 15 pounds, and cannot shake it! It has made my appetite insatiable!
Amie_Bill44
10 March 2019
When I looked it up it said loss of appetite. God bless
Bellatrix_Lestrange
7 Sep 2017
I just found this post and I'm so glad I did. I thought I was making things up in my head! I just started taking Nortriptyline about 2 months ago. I have ballooned out since taking this medication. It can't be anything else because I'm eating the exact same way. I have to be on this for another 4-6 months to get my vulvodynia under control and I'm scared I'm going to gain even more. I would say I noticed it around the second week of taking it, like I've seen with some other people. Maybe it affects metabolism because I'm also SUPER tired as well or maybe it is slowing down our digestive tract because I notice I get constipated a lot easier now. I'm starting a workout program on Monday to combat it. My hope is that I will be able to melt the stuff off when I'm done taking it by starting a vigorous workout plan now.
pds62459
14 Sep 2016
I have been on this medication for forty five days. I had Gastric Sleeve surgery a little over a year ago. During the surgery, I had three strokes. My left arm and hand were paralyzed. A month later I had a fourth stroke which involved my left arm, hand, eye and leg. A doctor discovered that my Corodid Artery was about eighty five percent blocked. I had surgery immediately and it went very well. I have regained about Eighty Five percent of the use of the left side of my body. Because of the Gastric Sleeve surgery, I am on a very strict diet and I am simply not able to tolerate many foods. Sorry for the long story but I feel its all relevant because the medication was prescribed for Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (RSD) - also known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) - which is a chronic neurological syndrome. The pain and other symptoms were the absolute worst pain I have ever experienced.
That being said, this medication has definitely helped get the pain under control but... I am now always hungry. I wake up starving in the middle of the night. I absolutely crave carbs and despite the fact that I eat very controlled portions at meal time, I have gained a solid ten pounds. This is a great medication but beware of the weight gain. The trade off was worth it to me.
ResponderX
22 Dec 2015
You're probably happily married by now, but I'll chime in. Your body cannot store fat without a caloric surplus. So if people are gaining weight on this drug, the weight gain has to be water weight or severe constipation or both. We all like to think that we eat a perfect diet. And while that MIGHT be the case, that doesn't mean that there isn't a sneaky caloric surplus that's causing you to store fat. Your body cannot produce fat out of thin air. So like I said, it's got to be water or constipation. I've been on this drug for two months and I haven't gained any weight from it. Personally, I keep a food journal and I keep track of the number of calories that I consume daily. That's the best way to keep yourself out of trouble.
Momoften
22 June 2016
ResponderX, you are one of the lucky few. I've spent most of my adult life fighting to keep weight ON. No matter what I ate, I stayed 105 pounds at 5'7". Then I started having neuropathy issues due to my lupus, RA or ??? Anybodies guess.
In about three months time, after being put on this drug, eating minimal calories and exercising daily, I packed on 45 pounds. I could starve myself for a week or more and not loose a pound. I switched to Lyrica and gained 8 pounds in 10 days. Even once I was weaned off of these drugs, I couldn't budge the numbers on the scale down by even a pound or two. The doctors blamed it on menopause, which I had gone through over five years before I started these meds.
Three years later I had a problem with SIBO (small intestine bacterial overload) and had to go off of all grains, sugars and hard to digest foods because they say in the small intestine too long and would feed the bacteria, who, in turn, produced gases that made my belly swell like I was six or seven months pregnant, pressing up into my diaphragm, making it hard to breathe.
To my shock (and pleasure) the weight began to fall off. Within a few months, I had lost over 30 pounds. I felt that was a good weight for my height and build and adjusted my calorie intake here and there to stay at that weight.
Recently, the neuropathy flared up again. I went back on the medication, drastically lowered my calorie intake, started walking 6 miles a day, and have gained 5 pounds in about two weeks. I will be calling the dr and going off the meds. I just can't go there again. I will grit my teeth and deal with the pain rather than gaining that weight back... along with the sleepiness, mental fog and lackluster feelings about life.
Momoften
22 June 2016
I would add that I believe that this medication interferes with the way the body metabolizes sugars so staying off of carbs is crucial if you want to have any hope of keeping the weight gain under control.
KatB72
28 March 2017
I was put on this medication for migraines. One of the side effects listed was that it increases your cravings for sweets. I was eating whole cakes everyday. I did not read the side effects until I gained 25lbs in 3 weeks. I went from a size 2 to a size 10 in a matter of days!! By the time they took me off of them, I had gone from 102 lbs to 140lbs
Momoften
28 March 2017
I really believe it messes with blood sugars or the way your body metabolizes carbs. Weird thing is, I never really craved sugar or ate any differently than before the meds, especially the second time I tried it, knowing full well how it made me gain weight the first time.
ovariancancergotme
19 May 2017
You are clueless and obviously have never suffered from a disease that requires meds that mess with your metabolism. You can gain weight even when eating insufficient calories for a wide range of reasons and as the result of taking a variety of drugs, including anti-depressants. Before chiming in, you should know what you're talking about.
reneelac
13 Oct 2015
Shame on the person that said that NORTRIPTYLINE does not cause weight gain. It does no matter what the manufactuer says. Everyone is different. I was diagnosed with shingles and prescribed GAPENTIN. Because of the pain and diet restrictions (no wheat, grains, sugar, dairy, chocolate, ETC) I lost 15 pounds. As soon as I started eating I would gain weight. MY DIET IS EXTREMELY GOOD, low calorie, healthy etc. THEN... Within 1 week... I came down with another episode of shingles BACK TO BACK. I was then prescribed NORTRIPTYLINE. I was in so much pain I hardly ate anything. Broth, cucumbers, hardly anything. GUESS WHAT!!! I gained all my weight back and then some.
DO NOT SAY THAT WE ARE FEELING BETTER SI WE START EATING MORE AND / OR UNHEALTHY!!! I was not!! SHAME ON YOU!! You have no clue! I went to see my Dr and the entire team at Kaiser said YES YES YES! Any of these drugs can cause weight gain!! I had to write down my diet and was co siesta my coming in under 1000 calories a day and they consisted of protein fruit and veggies!!
The drug companies and people like you make me sick! I used to work with the pharmaceutical companies when I was working with a practice at Stanford. I could tell you a lot!!! The general public is treated like garbage. The pharmaceutical companies do not care!! It is about money!!
Stop treating us like we are all the same. WAKE UP! We are individuals and no two are alike. When I look up side effects / contraindications for NORTRIPTYLINE - WEIGHT GAIN IS LISTED! Not as common but it is!!
Any and all antidepressant drugs can cause weight gain. My friend was prescribed this drug and was told it would not cause weight gain. She does NOT feel better in it. She did not start eating more. She is so sad due to her sons death that she does not want to eat!!! She liked the GABAPENTIN better but there was weight gain too!
BE CAREFUL!!!
maryjuneopper
21 Aug 2017
hi reneelac. you posted your answer a while ago but if you are still there I wanted to ask you if you know anything about the Benzodiazepine withdrawal issues. I am suffering from a prescribed medication of valium with directions to take as needed. Because of that i may have been on constant withdrawal for several years. And when i finally unknowingly withdrew for good realizing i could take no other drug necessary even a flu shot i decided to go off the drug. it has been a horrific experience now in my 6th month and my doctors all ignore me or say they know nothing about this. Do you? yes I hate the pharmaceutical companies for all the good they do they also have caused severe harm even death to many. Thanks for anything you may know if you are still available on they chat. MJ
gpj7
18 Sep 2017
I read your comments on nortriptyline and since it was recent I thought I would share some of my experiences with the drug. I had been on nortriptyline for approximately 15 years. I had been taking other antidepressants before that and had gained weight because of most of the antidepressants. It did not make any difference if I ate a little or ate a lot. I could not loose the weight. I went off nortriptyline once in 2009 cold turkey. I lost my weight and more, but due to other problems with stress and depression, I had to go back on the nortriptyline. I gained the weight back. I decided in 2017 to slowly go off the drug again. I did it very slowly with 2 to 3 weeks for each capsule. I experienced the worse withdrawal starting in April. The weight came off, but I was in terrible pain and many other problems including horrible headaches which I found out that Nortriptyline blocked. By the end of July, it was really getting hard for me to get through the day.
I started taking 1 capsule of the nortriptyline and have been taking the one since the end of July. The headaches and many of the other problems have stopped and I have been doing okay with my weight. My doctor wants me to change over to Remeron and I do not know if the weight gain is worse than the nortriptyline, so I have been doing some research before I make the switch. I also have insomnia and the doctor wants me to go off the zolpidem. so that is why the change to Remeron. I don't know whether to make the change, but I can not afford to gain a lot of weight again, but I don't think my body can exist without some type of antidepressant.
dharper57
21 Feb 2015
Well my experience with this drug was a weight gain of about 30+ lbs I stopped it and it came off within a fairly short amount of time.. it's a drug that with mess with your metabolism and you will have weight gain. I'm an RN
lgrsmith
17 Dec 2015
What dosage were you on?
dharper57
18 Dec 2015
I gained 50 lbs on 75 mg of it nightly after i stopped I went back to my 100 lbs in about a year but the biggest amount came off fairly fast
dharper57
1 Feb 2016
This drug is a trycilate and all trycilates cause weight gain. I am also on 60 mg of Adderal a day and I eat hardly anything. All my friends know I don't eat and wondered why my 4'`11' size ballooned up to 147lbs. It has nothing to do with how much you eat or exercise. I bought gym equipment and went on a strict diet and could not lose a lb. My new Dr told me it messes with your metabolism. When they put me on the Adderal I lost only 6 lbs and no more. I was so depressed I stared looking up my meds and saw it caused wt gain. I took myself off it and the weight stared falling off. I am back to 100 lbs which is fine for my height. So it does most deafeningly causes weight gain. I was on it for fibromyalgia if you take it for depression do not stop taking it without discussing with your Dr.
porkylou
2 April 2016
I have been taking this drug since April 2015 I have gained about 30 lbs I have never been able to gain weight but now I am miserable in my cloths because all the weight is in my stomach is wonder how to come off this drug and what can I take that would help
Barrettn
8 April 2018
Help I'm trying to wean off this drug after 15 years. The nuerologist says I may go off and have to learn to live with migraines..Not..
No quality of life that's crazy.
I might add right after went on it 30 lb weight gain..exercise eat normal it definitely causes cravings... hope the weight drops if I can wean off
Shreyabollock
21 Feb 2015
I gained 40 pounds in three months, from taking this drug, i have weighed more then I ever have, and have not been able to loose the weight, there are plenty of other drugs out there that won't cause this amount of drowsiness and weight gain.
SooUu
16 July 2015
Shreyabollock, are you able to give me the names of some of the anti D drugs that do not cause drowsiness and weight gain please. I have Parkinson's Disease and often have anxiety attacks. I have also had gastric sleeve surgery, so imagine my horror when I put on 4kg in four weeks on Remeron Soltab 30mg which was prescribed by my neurologist. My GP took me off them but said that weight gain is a common side effect with all anti D's and so I am flying solo. I would really appreciate your help
lgrsmith
17 Dec 2015
What dosage were you on?
geekygirl
16 April 2014
For me, it caused rapid weight gain. While it does cause you to feel hungry and crave carbs and sugar, even if you don't overeat you will still gain weight. The reasons: It causes constipation, enlarged breasts and milk production (even in men!), inflammation and inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (water retention caused by hormone imbalances). I have health issues which require me to make sure I get enough protein, carbs and calcium every day so I write down everything I eat along with calories, protein, carb and calcium content. I eat about 1,200 calories a day and walk three miles every day. Even with what I consider to be a moderate amount of food intake and a good activity level, I gained about 3 lbs. a week without even trying. I guess it really depends on the person because not everyone apparently experiences weight gain. But just know that if you do gain weight, it's not you or what you're eating. It's the Nortriptyline and you are not going crazy! :)
birdy80
5 July 2014
I have found that in two weeks I have gained 10 pound in weight, I have eating just the same as normal but gained so must be the tabs
zapdmom
24 July 2014
Yep, I gained 50 lbs in 3 months. If I had known I was going to gain any weight I would have said NO. I was so hungry all the time. And it drove me crazy. Now that I am aware, I am trying to get my doc to take me off of it. I gained so much weight, I went up 3 dress sizes. NONE of my clothing even remotely fits me. GRRRRRRRRRRRR
Inactive
19 Dec 2014
I have been on this medication for a month. My dosage is 300 mg twice daily. I have gained 25 pounds. In my case I am hungry constantly. I don't eat to the point of gorging myself. I eat about the same as before. So in my situation I would definitely attribute the weight gain to the medication. I would also add that if I ate every time I was hungry then the weight gain would be even worse.
Mollycat _2
20 Nov 2015
I have stumbled upon this site just to get some answers about weight gain while taking Nortriptaline because I have put on loads of weight since taking it, I was so dismayed when I got on the scale's to see that I had put on around 30 lbs it's enough to make you depressed, I am a healthy eater and my eating habits never really change, hate this extra that I am carrying about that's not to mention a wardrobe full of clothes that I cannot wear.
zapdmom
20 Nov 2015
I gained 50 lbs very quickly. I also became very hungry. It has been two years and I am still having difficulty losing weight. I had terrible problems with an excessively dry mouth to the point of losing two teeth due to the dryness. After just under 2 years I stopped taking the med (with doctors approval) ... While it did wonders for my mental health other issues were really playing havoc with me. Just because a side effect is "not known" to exist with a med, does not mean YOU won't have that as a side effect.
dharper57
26 Dec 2015
It is well known that all trycilate's cause weight again . I did not experience any craving for food and was taking 30 mg of Adderal a day. It caused a wt gain of 50 lbs with me.Ask any Dr.
Katedeflate
22 May 2013
I gained 20 pounds in 2 weeks from this medication and can't lose it. I have purging anorexia so I know for a fact I was not eating an excessive amount in the hospital when this happened. I am devastated and finding it very hard not to self-harm as a result. Very, very unhappy with this medication. :-(
dharper57
19 April 2014
yes It does I tired everything to get the weight off .. then stopped taking it loosing the weight like crazy.. have not changed my eating habits ..
Silvershadow
26 Dec 2015
I've been on it for 2 months,and I have also gain weight. My doctor told me that this medication doesn't cause weight gain but it does I take it for head aches due to a aneurysm,it works sometimes for my headaches, but it doesn't make me sleep,it keeps me awake.
Mjay67
17 Aug 2017
I feel your pain Katedeflate!!! I've put on about 10 pounds and I've only been taking this med for about 3 weeks. The older you are; the harder it is to loose the weight. Now I'm depressed at the weight gain!!!
Shallowgirl
17 Aug 2018
I am also on nortriptyline for migraine, I was told to take 3 every night before bed, I helps the migraines but it looks like weight gain is happening around the mid section and thighs. I I discontinue taking a medication, will the aid effects reverse? I have only started taking then Feb 27 2017. I'm concerned about the way I look
MacIntosh12
25 Aug 2012
Hi Jeanne, I hate to disagree, but nortriptyline is definitively known for it's side effect of weight gain.
But if you are very careful you can keep the calories down. Nortrip does cause cravings of sugar and carbohydrates, as you've probably noticed.
Just try to exercise more and cut down on carbs and sugar.
Best wishes to you
MacIntosh12
25 Aug 2012
P.S. did you read about weight gain and your med on your pharmacy print out? It should state right in black and white on your print out about weight gain and your medication.
Just be careful and you'll fit in your dress.
Inactive
25 Aug 2012
Hello McIntosh12. I disagree :-0) I understand the point of weight gain but the numbers on weight loss and weight gain are minimal. Its not significant enough to be a player per say. Individulal results vary. Have a great weekend, pledge
MacIntosh12
26 Aug 2012
pledge, I respect everyone's opinion, whether we agree or disagree. no problems.
hope you have a great weekend too.
dharper57
19 April 2014
This is very true I'm 4'11 and took Nortriptyline for fibromyalgia..Well to me it seemed to work I took it ten years and I did gain weight I I do not eat much at all .. i tried everything to loose the weight I did not even know it was the drug causing the weight gain till they took me off it and put me on something else.. I started dropping the pounds right and left and did not change my diet .. so yes this medication causes weight gain I got up to 146 lbs from 105 I am now back down to 124 after four months of stopping it and more is coming off .. I feel so much better have more energy thank god I do not miss that drug..
zapdmom
24 July 2014
Hey, just because the "numbers" are different. Every drug responds differently. That is why commentary is so important during trials.
dharper57
26 Dec 2015
That's crazy I tried everything to get the weight off I did not eat and exercised daily and it still packed on the pounds the minute I stopped taking it the weight dropped off drastically . I gained almost 59 lbs taking it . I am now back to a size 4. It is well known that this drug causes weight gain.
Mjay67
17 Aug 2017
Hi MacIntosh12... I've been taking nortriptyline for about 3 weeks and I've noticed that I have gained weight. I was prescribed this for pain in my lower back due to a bulging disc. I have cut out most of my sweets and I still put on weight... and it does nothing for the pain. I was taking one pill at bedtime for I week, then I was to start taking 2 pills at night. But When I wake up in the morning, I'm still in pain. So, now I'm depressed because I've gained weight! I would not recommend this for back pain! Mjay67
TitaniumSpine
21 Feb 2018
OMG I totally agree with the first post... I started nortriptyline in October and I’m just FIVE MONTHS, I’ve gained 30lbs
Inactive
25 Aug 2012
Hi Jeanne 13 & welcome to the site. I agree with the answer you received from Pledge about the weight gain on this med. I have a personal theory about this problem people seem to have with weight gain on antidepressants. I wonder if because they start feeling better, they don't start eating better or maybe more even, & that could be why they start to gain weight. I have seen this with my hubby too. I believe as long as your diet doesn't change or as long as you eat healthy, you should be fine. I am giving you the link to this med below in blue so you can read about it too if you like. Weddings can be so much fun especially in the planning, but we surely want that dress to fit correctly too, Wishing you the best...
https://www.drugs.com/nortriptyline.html
maryjuneopper
22 Feb 2015
I eat extremely well and healthy and I probably am consuming half of my normal calories and still gain weight on this drug. In fact since alchohol is not allowed I no longer drink even one cocktail before dinner which is probably good but should help in the calories department. And it does not. So be careful. Thanks J
Inertj
19 July 2017
Nope. Your theory would be incorrect. Not only are there clinical trials showing changes in appetite hormones and metabolic changes as well, but youve clearly never been on one that effects either of those. FYI and so you're not doing this to "hubby" the sensation is almost like you are so hungry you'd eat your own arm. This ADDS to the depression for many. If you manage to not overeat, your metabolism may still be effected, lowering your BMR. Look it up.
Please don't promulgate these fallacies. It just makes it worse for everyone. Cheers.
Silvershadow
19 Aug 2017
Thank you!
mdillwilson
2 Jan 2018
No, your theory is dead wrong. I've been on both sides of the fence and am now 70 and have taken antidepressants since age 36. I have been on many kinds and know the difference in whether an antideprestart makes you hungry or no. You will feel the hunger, almost insatiable on some antidepressants or you will not notice ravenous hunger on others. I am now taking nortryptiline and have been for several years. No , it does not make you hungry. It doesn't seem to make me tired. I used to take elavil/amytriptiline (same thing) and yes it made me feel like a bottomless pit. I gained alot at least 50 lbs and makes you tired. I also noticed xanax made me feel very hungry too. I think some medicines may alter your blood sugar which makes you hungry. You can definately feel the difference if they make you hungry or not. Watch the advice you give people unless you know for sure.
TitaniumSpine
21 Feb 2018
Yep, I gained 30 POUNDS in 4-5 months and I’m a very healthy eater. I can’t run or do vigorous exercise due to back issues and 8 spinal surgeries but I do walk everyday and I STILL gained a BOATLOAD of weight. Now I LOOK like a boat and it sucks!! Totally RUINED my body. Never taking that crap ever again!
Related topics
seizures, nortriptyline, weight, medication
Further information
- Nortriptyline uses and safety info
- Nortriptyline prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Nortriptyline (detailed)
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