my weight has shot up so much recently and seems to coincide with my medication being put up from 1 to 2 capsules a day . ive been on prozac for many years but weight gain has not been a problem before ..
Is weight gain a normal side effect whilst taking prozac?
Question posted by kk999 on 29 April 2013
Last updated on 5 July 2021
10 Answers
Inactive
5 July 2021
I started taking Prozac , roughly 3 months ago . I have never had an appetite ? One meal per day . 125 lbs ? Walk every day . Tried mostly every ssri out there since my 20s . This one is awesome but I’m tapering off of it tomorrow . I have gained 5 lbs per week ? Whether I exercise , eat don’t eat ? Eat only healthy ? No sugar !! I’m a blimp who can’t fit into anything . Depressed ??? yes .. anxiety was my problem ? Now I’m fat , depressed and anxious. Too bad bc it really worked until my backside and hips and tummy went out of control . Just thought about food constantly ! Even fasted for 2 days . Those two days I just stayed the same. ? I couldn’t believe it ? I’ve gained 5 -10 lbs on ssris before or even lost 5-10 lbs ? But 30 lbs !!! Ahhhhh. No !!!
Trying16
7 Feb 2016
I was on 20mg as a start up dose. This medication saved my life. To answer your question it initially made me lose weight 10 lbs in 1 month. I felt and looked better than I had in 2 years. Well... the 20 mg was making me sleepy, as I was taking it during the day. I decrease my dose in half..started taking my pill at night and the weight started to increase but not much. I weigh in daily now and I've been steady for the last 3 weeks. I feel better personally with the 10 but I'm not as calm. I'm experiencing narcissistic ways. Ill call my doc and will ask for 15 mg.
Bella16
25 Aug 2016
I was told it only comes in 10 or 20 mg, no half, but that's in Canada, not sure where you are from though, it may be different, not sure.
PIrion
6 Oct 2017
I’m on 40mg a day and I’m always tired and have gained 23 pounds. I’m getting off Prozac. I’m still depressed probably because none of my clothes fit.
kshaw2012
28 Nov 2015
I took prozac for a little over a year and had a 30 lb weight gain. It is a great antidepressant but you have to be careful about what you eat. But honestly, that is true with a lot of the psychiatric medications.
Sphynx
23 Aug 2015
Yes, Prozac made me have increased appetite and food cravings which caused me to gain weight.
MSUpsych77
23 Aug 2015
Weight gain is not a side effect. But prozac can cause you to be anxious or nervous that signals your brain to want to eat. But it will not make you gain weight out of the air.
Dzrosen13
23 Jan 2018
I strongly disagree. Treatment for anxiety is one of the main therapeutic benefits of Prozac! Teens taking Prozac May suffer serious adverse side effects but Anxiety and rumination is one of the main conditions that Prozac alleviates it’s an old drugs but a wonder drug what time the post office closes that OK what is it to Jersey OK so you should get there by Saturday what’s today Tuesday yeah we can still send it today with anxiety and rumination is one of the main conditions that Prozac alleviates it’s an old drugs but in my opinion a wonder drug. I found that most of the newer AD caused a significant weight gain.
Sarah12117
11 Oct 2018
My daughter has gone from size 14 to 22 since April it’s now October. Idk what to do I called doctor
Dumpster Diver
30 April 2013
Hi kk999, Many, many years ago Prozac was the first anti-depressant I ever
was prescribed, after my horrific head injury. I took it for about 10 yrs. I
never had a weight gain. But, I was always depressed. Then, after moving
to FL from Jersey and taking no anti-depressant for a few yrs. my new Dr.
put me on Celexa. What a blessing. I love it. Works great, and again, no
weight gain..Those are the only two I ever tried. Hope your depression lifts
quickly!~~dd~~
pickles503
30 April 2013
Hi there kk. According to drugs.com, yes it is a side effect, but it's way down on the totem poll. These are the mild symptoms:
cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat;
drowsiness, dizziness, feeling nervous;
mild nausea, upset stomach, constipation;
increased appetite, weight changes;
sleep problems (insomnia);
decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm; or
dry mouth.
Here's the link from our site.
https://www.drugs.com/sfx/prozac-side-effects.html
You take care. Let our friends know what happens.
May you have faith, hope and Love,
Anna
PIrion
6 Oct 2017
I definitely have weight gain, increased appetite, dry mouth and nervousness.
I’m done with this drug.
PIrion
6 Oct 2017
I definitely have weight gain, increased appetite, dry mouth and nervousness.
I’m done with this drug.
Inactive
5 July 2021
I agree ! I’m done as well !!! Tapering though lol
endlessPred
29 April 2013
Hello. The doctor can help with this. I gained no weight on Prozac and lost an interest In food. Weight didn't change by more than a couple pounds.
Gaining weight is because of what we eat. Some medications do cause water weight gain, but that isn't much. Maybe five to ten pounds. All that weight that happens later is from the body/mind looking for something to do, to satisfy itself. Eat vegetables, raw is good, and fruits, when hungry. They contain lots of fiber which helps one feel full. Be sure to drink water and green tea when you eat fiber. They also can contain natural sweetness to satisfy that sweet tooth. Start slow, eat as much fruit or veggies as you want, and start reducing any sugar, syrup and such.
It takes a month or two to find that sugar and candy and cake have become too sweet. I had a small piece of birthday cake last night and found it way too sweet. Before I cut out soda and donuts and lattes, I thought sweet was great. Fresh oranges are now almost too sweet for me. Stay away from artificial sweeteners as they put weight on you by making a craving for more carbs and sugar. Look for juices, if not made fresh by you, that have no added sugar. They are out there in the refrigerator section. Labels do become friends. A diabetic diet without artificial sweeteners is quite nice to follow. Works for anyone. Book stores and Internet has them.
If you are obese then start very slow with the doctors help. Start to exercise, walk a bit and build strength. Many programs to work with you. If morbidly obese, follow the physicians directions. Though one starts with little apparent effect, soon enough there will be a loss of weight. Finally, a therapist is needed to help find the triggers that make one eat too much and methods to feel better so you can reach your goal. You can do this and you can get back your life. After all, depressed people don't tend to get out there and play every day. Couch and TV are far better friends then and take no effort. Feeling guilty and uncomfortable has to be recognized and morphed into taking a walk. Fresh air and all the mysteries of the neighborhood can be pretty wonderful.
Finally, if you have a very sudden weight gain in a month of over ten pounds, get to the doctor right away. Rapid weight gain can be a sign of other diseases or problems including heart trouble. Best to be safe.
(Since I covered a lot of topics, it might not seem all for you. As others read these discussions with similar problems their struggle might fall into these different scenarios.)
Time to take control and find what is happening to you. Find out what to do for food portions from a dietician. And take a list of all your symptoms, medications, and supplements to the doctor. Much happiness can be gained. Much can be done. And you will feel so much better. Karen
drgm
20 Feb 2014
Drugs can cause weight gain by increasing appetite and slowing metabolism.
biskit88
25 June 2017
I strongly disagree I ate fish, chicken and veggies every day and nothing else. I blew up. Went from a size 2 to a size 14 I gained it in all the places you would gain weight if you were pregnant. No amount of exersize or diet would help. I looked pregnant. After doing much research I discovered Prozac effects hormones which in turn effects metabolism. Hens why women begin gaining weight when they begin menopause. I was on Prozac 7 months. By the 7th month it brought back all the symptoms it had initially made disappear when I first started taking it,i.e., anxiety, insomnia. It took about 4 months for my metabolism to return to normal. And when it did, the pounds began flying off at the rate of 3-4 pounds per day. Lots of research out there to back up my statements.
Rlinz
26 Aug 2017
I took Prozac for about 2 1/2 years and gained 38 pounds. I ate the same and am always on the go. I'm currently trying to find a different anti anxiety med that will help shed some of the weight.
biskit88
28 Aug 2017
Currently Wellbutrin is the only drug that does not cause weight gain because it works differently. And do not let doctors or drug companies tell you that 300 mg of it is needed to relieve depression. Many anti-depressents, and many other drugs in general work at half the dosage drug companies tell you to take. They are greedy and just want to make a huge profit. These are very strong drugs, and many people have gotten rid of depression on 100 - 150 mgs., i.e., me. If you start out with a low dose and find after a certain period of time, depression is creeping back, increase 50 mgs at a time. If you start with 300 mgs and depression comes back, doctors will then begin adding other anti-depressents to the wellbutrin. Before you know it, you will be taking three different kinds at one time. It's insane. I take Wellbutrin SR (sustained released) 150 mgs. No side effects if you cut in quarters at beginning and then take 1/2 and then 1 whole pill. Wellbutin XL generic has had problems with them not having the proper dosage in their pills. SR has not had issues.
PIrion
6 Oct 2017
I have gained 23 pounds while on Prozac. I was a size 4 now a 10. I’m taking myself off Prozac. I’m hungry all the time. I never felt that way before.
Thanks PI
patsuzuki
13 Dec 2017
That is totally incorrect in every aspect!
patsuzuki
13 Dec 2017
Your experience is statistically irrelevant... just your individual response. MANY gain much weight by innocently listening to their doctors.
HAPPYCAKE
15 Dec 2017
It's a relief to hear about others who have gained weight on Prozac. I've gained 20lbs in the last year taking 20mg a day. Maybe older women are at a higher risk because our hormones are already starting to deplete? All I know is it sucks! And I went off the Prozac a few weeks ago to try and lose this weight. None of my clothes fit and it was making more depressed.
Mihogfans
14 Aug 2018
I've only been on prozac 4 months and I've gained the inches back I had previously list and gained 20. I was feeling better while taking the med but frankly gaining weight is not worth it. I'll give my doctor a call but in the mean time I guess I'll take myself off of the prozac. Ugh!!
rickransom88
29 April 2013
for most people YES! and the dosage can make the difference.
jagry1999
29 April 2013
Hi KK.
A more common side effect is loss of appetite. There might be another factor. Have you spoken with your physician?
Related topics
prozac, depression, weight loss (obesity/overweight), fibromyalgia, side effect, weight, medication
Further information
- Prozac uses and safety info
- Prozac prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Prozac (detailed)
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