I am prescribed to take lexapro but after reading MANY reviews I see that they all involve serious weight gain. I was wondering if anyone who uses this for anxiety purposes or other have this problem?
Paxil and weight gain?
Has anyone used Lexapro for anxiety and gained weight?
Question posted by sashaw9589 on 30 June 2010
Last updated on 26 May 2024
114 Answers Page 5
Don't believe everything you read! Less than 10% of users experience ANY side or discontinuation effects. You might if you're in that small minority but 90% of users are doing just fine.
I've been on over a dozen psych medications over the years and never gained an ounce on any of them. In fact, I lost weight on a few that are supposedly notorious for weight gain.
This is your response to the medications. People have different responses to medicines. Having a graduate degree in human medical science I know a little about research and a lot of these studies are only 6 to 8 weeks. The people who experience the weight gain are usually on the medications for over 6 months. And the research I have access to says 25% have weight gain. So let people describe their own experiences. It's great to hear you have no weight gain on so many psych meds
That's exactly what I'm doing. The horror stories you read on boards like this are preventing many people from enjoying mental health ~ on medications ~because they don't realize that the vast majority of users tolerate their meds with great benefits with few, if any, side effects.
Unfortunately, those people are too busy living their lives to comment and balance out the reviews. Let's have some actual facts and statistics here, please.
The thread is about weight gain. I think that is why most people who respond are explaining their own personal life experience on Lexapro. I don't think anyone said everyone gains weight. Cheers
As someone with a degree in medicine you should be familiar with negative reinforcement. According to THIS board and others like CrazyMeds EVERYONE who goes near any drug will have severe side effects.
My point being, personal experiences are fine to tell but let's have some reality. You know as well as I that thousands of people are suffering needlessly because they've been made afraid by pure bias and negative personal experiences should not supercede professional advice.
Reality is personal experiences. I'm not discounting your experiences. But the fact is, some people have uncontrolled weight gain of on this medication. I read another thread on another website from you. Sounds like you have more than anxiety and depression. Possibly a personality disorder? As a lice ended therapist. Stop misleading people.
Just stop generalizing your experience to everyone else's. So uneducated. That being said, people with depression issues should seek help. Not from the advice of me, or wildcat vet. Talk to your doctor about possible side effects. Don't put all straws on someone who has been the n multiple psyche meds.
And lastly. I have no more need to respond to this guy. But there are many, many, many reports on this thread of weight gain. But yet, he has some Devine information that disproves all of our stories. Based on his own personal experience. But he has been on '12' meds. Makes you wonder why 12? I guess his meds haven't been so effecrive. Lol 12 meds. Stop giving medication advice. Just fix yourself.
And lastly. I have no more need to respond to this guy. But there are many, many, many reports on this thread of weight gain. But yet, he has some Devine information that disproves all of our stories. Based on his own personal experience. But he has been on '12' meds. Makes you wonder why 12? I guess his meds haven't been so effecrive. Lol 12 meds. Stop giving medication advice. Just fix yourself.
Feeling a bit manic? Off meds?
I was on lexapro for a year. I was always 117lbs-121lbs before I started taking it never weighed more than that, I was very athletic, worked out, danced, very toned. When went on the drug I had a significant weight drop to 98lbs and looked very sick then 6 months in my weight started to go back up .. and up.. and up.. and no matter how much I counted calories, ate healthy, and worked out for hours at the gym the weight wouldn't come off and it just kept increasing. I got to 140lbs and was flabby in my belly, back, and hips and there was nothing I could do to change it. it was so upsetting for me that I weened off the drug it's taken about 6 months but the weight is coming off and I'm getting my old body back. Lexapro is packed with sodium, it definitely fixed the bout of depression I experienced and I weened off CORRECTLY with the help of a doctor and a talk therapist so I am doing great now, on zero medications, experiencing normal anxiety and processing it well.
Do not ever just suddenly stop or you will experience dibilitating side effects. And I do not suggest lexapro for long term unless you don't care about getting fat and not having any control over it.
Since U brought this question up, you're hit home to me. I've been taken
{escitalopram}=generic for Lexapro 20mg for 3 months now and yes I have gained a lot of weight. Is this because of the medicine U think??
I'm not on any other medicines at all. Please reply back to me. I'm curious.
I started taking lexapro in October and at first it helped. Now I'm so moody and my anxiety went up so now I have to take Xanax to... I've gained a lot of weight.. Went from a size 10 to a 16... I quit smoking in December. So it could be a combination of the both... My Husband and I have discussed the pros and cons and now I believe I will wing myself off of the meds...
I started lexapro in March of 2016. For me it took a while for it to help my horrible mental state before I started but it did eventually. Since starting I have gained 20'pounds. It didn't happen fast and at first but after a while I was like my clothes don't fit and where did this weight come from? Now I'm feeling depressed because of the weight. I'm seeing my dr soon so I'll discuss it with her. I believe you should do the same before weaning off a pill yourself. It may make you feel worse. Good luck.
I was on 10mg lexapro and now slowly increasing to 20mg by starting at 15mg. I gained a little bit of weight while on the 10mg, but now that I have been on 15mg for a week I have been so hungry all the time! I'm sure I will gain weight. Did the weight seem to just appear, or did you notice you ate more? I am having the same breakfast I have had for over a year now and it used to last me till lunch, now by 9am I'm starving already.
I have been on Lexapro for about two months or more and I have increasingly gained weight and I don't care what anybody says about this medicine it does cause weight gain. Also it causes loss of sex drive and that's the reason that I'm getting off this medication I deem my marriage more important then a bottle of pills.
Sashaw; less of a problem with Paxil, But with Lexapro most gain weight at least 10 lbs. again where Paxil is normally loss of appetite and no weight gain it is in the neutral weight gain class so you have to make sure you are eating regularly for your sake if your hungry or not. Have a good evening.
Hello Chuck,
Does Paxil decrease your sex drive? I'm on lexapro and I'm amazed I never think abt it or want it. I'm scared to switch meds because it's really helped my hormones (unbelievable) changed my life! But... I don't like the decrease of sex drive at all.
I've been on lexapro for about a year and it works great for my anxiety but I definitely gained 15-20 pounds over the first 6 months. I also eat healthy and exercise regularly but it is a stubborn weight to get rid of. Just gotta keep at it because there's no way I'm going back to the mental state I was in before this stuff fixed it.
I use this med for my hormone issue and I love it! It does affect my sex drive however, it calms my ranging hormones. My weight started around 145 and I'm at my all time high 175
Hi, I am actually freaking out right now. YES it causes weight gain. I have weight 94lbs all my life and the only time I went over that was during my pregnancy when I reached like 112. Never in my life no matter what I eat have I gained 5lbs in two weeks. I run 2 miles a day and bike 5 miles. How is this happening? The only denominator is that pill. I am talking to my doctor. This is not working.
Yes. I noticed weight gain. I'm actually going off of it thankfully. But not because of the weight gain.
I've been on lexapro for nearly 3 months now and have gained 19 pounds. I eat well and exercise daily since I was diagnosed with depression. I'm hoping to switch meds at my next consultation as I don't see the point in switching my mental illness for obesity. I've also experienced tiredness and lack of focus, but I am a lot less depressed.. It really does seem to vary from person to person though
I have been on Lexapro for over 3 years. I have gained 30 lbs. My doctor did not inform me that I could gain that much weight. My appetite never changed but somehow I was gaining weight. I went to an endocrinologist who told me the way it works in your system is what makes you gain the weight. He wants me to go off the Lexapro for a month. I agreed. I was on it for anxiety and now gaining the weight has only made me more anxious!!! He suggested a beta blocker that is weight neutral if I need to. My suggestion would be to ask for that.
Hi there, this is my first time posting.
Did you end up going on the lexapro?
I have been prescribed 20mg for the past 15 months for GAD and depression, and I have not felt this good in years. The drug definitely works (for me anyway) to curb anxiety and depression, no doubt about that. However, I have put on a lot of weight, so much that I am terrified to weigh myself now. Last weigh in I had gained close to 20kg (40lb++). Definitely the lexapro. I was a healthy 63kg before I began taking lexapro. I struggle to find motivation to keep active, but I know that if just get off my lazy bottom and go for a walk every night the weight will come off. And I need to stop buying dairy and carb loaded food!
So yes, it most likely will make you gain weight, but maybe try to keep active and watch your diet a bit closer. Wish I'd done that from the start.
Yes
I am 27 year old female and have been on lexapro for a little over a year. I have gained 20 pounds since being prescribed. I have always been an active person, eat pretty healthy most of the time, but indulge on the weekends. Basically, my habits haven't changed and I believe the medication made me gain the weight. I am slowly weening off of it because the weight gain has made me even more depressed. Also, my sex drive was completely wiped out. I know people who take lexapro and love it. But it is not for me. Weening off has been a tough process. Best of luck!
Related topics
lexapro, paxil, weight loss (obesity/overweight), anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, weight, anxiety and stress
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