Paroxetine and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• Hop...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 26, 2019

For Anxiety "I took Paxil for 19 years, and it relieved my anxiety and depression. I gained 40 lbs over those 19 years, but I was happy. In May, I decided to try Lexapro, and sure enough, I've lost 25 lbs. But at the expense of anxiety and depression returning. My doctor increased the dosage from 10 to 20 mg 5 weeks ago, and now I can't sleep. I'm going back to Paxil, I'd rather be fat and happy than skinny and depressed!"

• Kjl...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 4, 2020

For Anxiety "I started Paxil over 15 years ago after an unexplained bout with extreme anxiety and depression that did not respond to hypnosis, yoga, nothing! After trying a few other meds that didn't work, my doctor suggested Paxil. When I first started it, I also took Klonopin for the horrible anxiety. Within about 6 weeks, I totally felt the dark cloud disappear so I went off Klonopin. I have never had to increase my dose! I'm still on 10 mg, 15 years later. I tried weaning off of it 3 times already, and each time I would get really weepy and depressed, so I've decided to stay on it! Yes, I've gained weight, but that is nothing in comparison to how I was feeling prior to being on Paxil."

• Ale...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 8, 2024

For Anxiety "I have been on Paxil since 2001. Many people stop taking this medication before it starts doing its job. It takes around 4 weeks for the full effects of the treatment to kick in. I know it seems like too much to ask when you are feeling like every hour lasts an eternity. Trust me, you're going to feel much better and even forget that you felt like you life was over. I have been on Paxil 20mg since I was 24 years old. I'm 48 right now and I have lived a good life. No brain problems, no liver problems, no diabetes, a little weight gain yes but nothing that some much-needed exercise doesn't help. Stay active, talk and try to help others."

• Ken...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 5, 2019

For Anxiety "After years and years of trying and failing with different medications, my doctor finally recommended paroxetine for my anxiety. No side effects unless I DON'T take it, no groggy feeling or haze over my memories anymore. I can function without feeling tired out halfway through the day. I don't get dry mouth. I don't gain weight on this medication. All of which have been an issue with other meds in the past. I'm very grateful to have found this."

• Ama...
• July 14, 2014

For Depression "First off, I just want to say, please don't be alarmed or afraid when you read that you're going to gain a tremendous amount of weight while taking Paxil. Not saying by any means anybody is lying nor the information they provide about this medicine is false. Everybody is different and will receive different results. I almost contacted my physician right away, in demands I obtain a different medication after hearing about the weight gain, however, I gave it a fair chance. I did NOT want to eat a thing while on Paxil and my friends already noticed I've dropped a significant amount of weight. Please don't avoid this medication because of fright about weight gain because it might very well not happen! My social anxiety also vanished."

• lif...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 3, 2022

For Depression "I rate Paxil 10 out of 10 because it saved my life. I was on the verge of ending it all after years and years of anxiety and depression. Every day had become a nightmare. I now have virtually no anxiety, and my depression is much improved. I am 67 years old, and I have suffered from anxiety and depression all my life. I have been told repeatedly to take medication, but I had a policy never to take any medication on principle. There have been a few side effects, such as some weight gain and low libido. But these side effects are microscopic when compared to the joy of being able to sleep again and to just sit quietly and enjoy what is around me. I am currently looking over my lovely garden and listening to beautiful music, not a note of anxiety in my mind. Please at least give this a try and do not wait three decades like I did. This is the first review I have ever written, but if it helps even one sufferer, I will rejoice. Thank you, Paxil."

• Chi...
• December 15, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "Been taking Paxil at low dose 5 mg. I like Paxil because my doctor said it helps with sleep. With other SSRIs I tried, I woke up throughout the night. Doctor said if I stay at low dose, may not experience weight gain, we'll see. Trying to eat healthy and exercise daily too. Hope this helps, so far so good. Anxiety can be terrible."

• Ann...
• May 1, 2016

For Anxiety "Crippling, horrible anxiety brought on by menopause. Couldn't take hormones. I went through heck trying many antidepressants. One smart doctor tried me on the lowest dose of generic Paxil, never changed the dose, allowed my system to get used to it. It worked like a charm! I am able to work full time and do anything I want. The side effects are minimal for me. Yes, I gained some weight but now enjoy taking walks to exercise. No regrets about trying this med at all. Life saver!"

• cra...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 1, 2017

For Anxiety and Stress "I started with severe panic and anxiety attacks 3 years ago, which honestly made me think I was going crazy, scariest time in my life. I tried Zoloft and Lexapro, and both made me feel worse. In January 2015, I started Paxil 10mg and worked up to 20mg and honestly felt like my old self again, no longer dealt with the attacks. However, in February 2017, I decided to try Prozac because the Paxil had made me numb to everything and I did gain about 45 lbs on it. I have now been on Prozac for almost 3 months and am waiting to switch back over to the Paxil because I feel anxious and irritable on this and miss the Paxil. I pray for all of you who deal with this awful disease and pray one day they can find an actual cure for it!!!"

• For...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 2, 2013

For Anxiety "I have been on Paxil now for 9 weeks and it has still been a very beneficial addition to my life. I've started to feel like the real me now. I don't feel subdued or zombied out like some people report. I started on 10mg, then my doctor moved me to 20mg about 2 weeks ago. The only main side effect I've had in transitioning to the higher dosage was severe mania for the first couple of days. It wore off significantly as the days passed. As for the weight gain that Paxil causes, I think it's just that I'm not so anxious to the point of nausea and disgust in food. I love eating and enjoy my food again! My biggest positive in Paxil is that my generalized anxiety is severely reduced. Panic attacks are down 85% and I feel great!"

• mar...
• September 6, 2014

For Anxiety "I had been on Paxil for about 2 and a half years but recently I decided to go off of it. I have been off for about 2 months now but have all of a sudden experienced such fear and anxiety. I feel the way I did when I went on the pill, never wanting to leave the house, or go to work. I need to work but it's so hard to get through the day! Now my doctor says I will probably need to be on this my whole life. I gained weight when I was on it to which I didn't like. Do you think I should go back on it, I can't function like this though."

• ash...
• August 9, 2015

For Panic Disorder "Paxil is the best medicine for panic disorder. I can tell it will work within 15 days. Just be patient, don't give up. Some people say they put on weight. I didn't put on any weight. I've used it for 2 years almost. So it works differently for everybody. Paxil stopped my panic attacks. Thank you!"

• Anonymous
• January 18, 2015

For Anxiety "I had my first anxiety attack when my oldest son was 2 years old & ended up in the ER. My doctor prescribed Paxil & it really helped. I've been on it for about 16 years now, even took it when I was pregnant with my second child. The only side effect I've really had is weight gain."

• tri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 22, 2019

For Anxiety "Before taking Paxil, I was suffering from anxiety. Feeling like I was dying, hypochondria, heart felt like it was always beating out of my chest, sweaty hands, etc. Now that I’m on 20 mg a day for the last 5 months, all of my anxiety symptoms are gone. The first month, I had trouble orgasming, but it’s resolved. I gained about 10 pounds, but that’s better than my previous suffering."

• nrc...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 19, 2015

For Social Anxiety Disorder "I have taken Paxil since 1995 after having a nervous breakdown. I also weaned myself off of Paxil for 13 months in 2000 so that I could get pregnant. In 2001, I experienced postpartum depression with no anxiety and went back on the Paxil. Paxil is best suited for patients with anxiety and MDD. It is a very potent SSRI. On dealing with the side effects: Weight gain can be prevented with proactive exercise. Constipation can be prevented by diet, suppository, etc. Sexual side effects can be reduced by reducing the amount of Paxil prior to sex (cut your dosage in half that day). SAD can be minimized by adding vitamin B12 in the fall and winter."

• JNo...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 18, 2014

For Anxiety "I took Paxil for 5 years for severe panic attacks and anxiety. I got to the point where I could barely leave the house without anxiety. I was on 20 mg once a day and it worked wonders for me. I felt 'normal' for the first time in years. HOWEVER... I gained 50 lbs. I decided to get off and weaned myself very slowly but still had withdrawal symptoms: brain zaps, severe headaches, dizzy, restless, faint, weak, and the list goes on. I have been off for 5 months now and still have symptoms."

• Mom...
• September 4, 2017

For Anxiety "I was on this medication for years for OCD, anxiety, depression, and PTSD, then I wanted to get pregnant and switched to Zoloft. The Z stopped working after a year, and terrible panic attacks started happening again. I went back on Paxil. Overall, I am happy to not be crying all the time and not snapping at my family. I have a much better time on Paxil than on Zoloft. My only problem is the weight gain that comes with it. It's very sad for me to gain 20 pounds. But still, it's better than being so scared all the time. Please make sure you take it as directed. It takes six weeks for medicine like this to work. You won't know after a day or two. Stay strong."

• kdc...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 21, 2018

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Taking for panic attacks and agoraphobia. Started at 10 mg and worked up to 30 mg. The difference in my anxiety, mood, and energy levels is dramatic. I feel normal again, it's almost euphoric how much better I feel. I have more energy during the day, no panic attacks, and I sleep better. I did gain weight (20 lbs.) over six months, but a membership to the gym and joining Weight Watchers has helped me lose 12 lbs. and counting, so it's coming off. This medicine has been a godsend for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 13, 2012

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Simply amazing. This pill really has helped me gain control of my once terrible anxiety disorder. Sure, it made me gain a LITTLE bit of weight, but my mental health is worth those 5 lbs! It's very effective, without turning me into a zombie. I can function normally, and even better than I have in a long time."

• D T...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 20, 2014

For Depression "Paxil helped me get my life and emotions back on track after depression linked to a divorce. I had been feeling more down than ever before, and couldn't shake it despite every effort through talk counseling, relaxation, and exercise. For the first 3-4 weeks, initially at 10 mg and then at 20 mg, I felt that Paxil was having no effect on me. But as it kicked in, I felt happier, more myself, and more alive than in years, sustained now for 3 months. It's been a very natural feeling, as if a fog has lifted rather than any medicated fakeness. Only side effect has been gaining 15 pounds (after losing 10 pounds from depression), even while training for and running a half-marathon. No difficulty cutting dosage to 15mg, and will soon cut to 10mg."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 26, 2016

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I was sent to a psychologist for depression and anxiety when I was just 16. She put me on Paxil. It really saved my life. I was unable to sleep and so anxious I could enjoy nothing. After 20 years of feeling normal, although I did gain weight, I decided to wean myself because of the weight issue. Big mistake. I crashed due to stress and have been in a state of extreme panic and anxiety for over a week. I can't eat and I lost 10 pounds in a week because I want to be sick all the time. Tried switching to Prozac, which made it worse! I'm back to Paxil and I know it will help me again as soon as it kicks in. In the meantime, I am on Ativan. I wish I never stopped it. It works great for extreme anxiety and depression."

• Mr ...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 6, 2016

For Anxiety "Paxil is going to affect everyone differently. What worked great for me may be the worst medication you've ever tried. I've been on Paxil for 20 years, and for a large majority of those years, Paxil really helped me with my anxiety. I've been back and forth between 15-30 mg many times. I never had any major side effects from it (not libido, not weight gain). The thing with Paxil is, there's the potential for what's called 'Paxil poop out' (yes, it's real, Google it), where the Paxil stops being effective. I was completely unaware of this, so I was totally blindsided with debilitating anxiety and horrible panic attacks out of nowhere one day. I was really bummed because Paxil had done so much good for me. It's a great med when it works."

• jrb...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 22, 2012

For Anxiety "I have had anxiety for approximately 30 years and have been on Paxil for about 10. What a difference it has made in my life. I would recommend this medicine to anyone who is suffering from anxiety. I also suffer from panic disorder, and just carrying Xanax with me has helped alleviate my attacks. Only have to take it once in a while now. Also, working out more has really helped with stress, a great preventative, and with a little of the weight gain from Paxil. Take care."

• Mar...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 26, 2015

For Depression "I began taking Paxil 'by choice' 15 years ago when my panic and anxiety were out of control. I didn't realize I had always suffered from depression until I took this medicine. The very first day I took the 20 mg, I felt a calmness like never before. The first couple of weeks or so I felt a little zoned out, perhaps more depressed seeming. Looking back, I think my depression was left on its own. It took a couple of weeks to improve that, but it did. I was on it for 2 years before weaning off due to weight gain and thinking I was better. I fell back into severe depression and panic. I went back on it, tried to wean again. Same response. A third time put me in the hospital. Seven years later, I still have to take meds, but nothing has helped since Paxil."

• k8t...
• July 28, 2010

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I took Paxil for about 10 years (no weight gain) and quit it recently with the help of my primary care doctor by weaning off of it for 6 months. Unfortunately, 2 weeks after quitting, my symptoms of anxiety and depression have returned two-fold! I have not been formally diagnosed with anything yet, but do know that Paxil worked the best for me! I want to go back on it, but it is Category D, so if I ever want to have a baby, I cannot be on it while pregnant! At the moment, I am trying Wellbutrin, after trying 3 weeks on Buspar to help me (that didn't help). It's only been a week on Wellbutrin and I see some improvements, but nothing like the Paxil. I may ask to go back to Paxil if switching medicines doesn't work. I felt like 'myself' on Paxil!"