eTable Hydration for swimmers. Similarly, not all medications for hain cause Antidepressant and weight gain gain; one that has been associated with weight gain anx diphenhydramine gani active ingredient in Benadryl that is also used in many over-the-counter sleep aids. There are five main types of psychiatric prescription medications: antidepressants, antipsychotics, anxiolytics also known as anti-anxiety medications, which can include medications for sleepmood stabilizers, and stimulants.

Antidepressant and weight gain -

These medications will not be discussed in this post. All of these medications increase serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin regulates mood and affects appetite, yet this can have varying results depending on length of treatment.

Short-term use reduces impulsivity and increases satiety, which can reduce food intake and cause weight loss. However, long-term use longer than a year can cause downregulation of serotonin receptors, which subsequently causes cravings for carbohydrate-rich foods such as bread, pasta, and sweets that ultimately may lead to weight gain.

The antidepressants with the highest risk of causing weight gain are amitriptyline, citalopram, mirtazapine, nortriptyline, trimipramine, paroxetine, and phenelzine.

Antipsychotics can also be categorized into two classes: typical and atypical antipsychotics. Both classes can cause weight gain, but they differ in that atypical antipsychotics cause fewer movement disorder side effects.

Like antidepressants, antipsychotics affect the chemical messengers in the brain associated with appetite control and energy metabolism , namely serotonin, dopamine, histamine, and muscarinic receptors. In addition to causing weight gain, antipsychotics can also impair glucose metabolism, increase cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and cause hypertension, all of which can lead to metabolic syndrome and worsen obesity-related diseases.

The antipsychotics most likely to cause weight gain are olanzapine, risperidone, and quetiapine. Because newer drugs tend to have fewer side effects, those two aren't prescribed as frequently.

At the other end of the spectrum, citalopram caused the most weight gain. Even so, the differences between the drugs were small. The results of the study were published in JAMA Psychiatry. The results of this study indicate that worries about weight gain shouldn't influence the choice of antidepressant for most people.

One antidepressant is generally as effective as another. If you need to choose an antidepressant, let cost and potential side effects be your guide.

Many antidepressants are available as generics. Generics work as well as brand name drugs, but cost less. If you start taking an antidepressant, don't expect to see a major improvement right away.

It often takes 6 to 8 weeks to see a response to an antidepressant. And don't give up if the first one doesn't work. Trying a different one may do the trick.

Another option to consider is psychotherapy, especially if the first drug doesn't work. People who do not respond to the first antidepressant can often do as well with talk therapy as they would with another drug. Keep in mind that a small number of people have a condition called atypical major depression.

Instead of the more usual problems of decreased appetite and difficulty sleeping, their depression causes an increased appetite and sleeping too much. This leads to weight gain regardless of drug therapy. For them, it's probably best to stay away from an antidepressant that causes even more weight gain.

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Thanks for visiting. What the research does make clear is that after your first year of taking antidepressants, your risk for weight gain begins to change over time. Studies have shown that after the third year of treatment with antidepressants, the risk begins to go down.

By the seventh year, there is no longer an increased risk. There have been case studies of certain people who are more sensitive to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs , a class of antidepressant.

In these rare cases, individuals quickly gained an excessive or unusual amount of weight in a short amount of time while taking an antidepressant. Share any concerns with your health care provider, who can help you determine the next steps.

Although some antidepressants have been associated with weight gain, others have been shown to have little to no effect on weight. Some may even lead to weight loss.

And for those antidepressants that are associated with an increased risk of weight gain, not everyone is affected equally.

It can be helpful to share any concerns you may have about weight gain with them. They will help you determine the best antidepressant for your unique condition and situation. If you gain excess weight, it can put you at a higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome during the treatment period.

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of symptoms related to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, several types of cancer, arthritis, chronic kidney disease, and other serious conditions. It is typically diagnosed when at least three of the following symptoms are present:.

If you have been diagnosed with depression and the most effective medication for your condition has been shown to be linked to weight gain, be proactive about working with your health care provider on prevention. It may also be helpful to seek guidance from other specialists. These can include a cognitive behavioral therapist, motivational counselor, registered dietitian, or licensed nutritionist.

These specialists can provide a variety of helpful resources for managing weight. Gafoor R, Booth HP, Gulliford MC. Antidepressant utilisation and incidence of weight gain during 10 years' follow-up: population based cohort study. Published May Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Last revised September Accessed September 26, Uguz F, Sahingoz M, Gungor B, Aksoy F, Askin R.

Weight gain and associated factors in patients using newer antidepressant drugs. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. doi: Epub Oct Lee SH, Paz-Filho G, Mastronardi C, Licinio J, Wong ML. Is increased antidepressant exposure a contributory factor to the obesity pandemic?.

Published Mar Himmerich H, Minkwitz J, Kirkby KC. Weight Gain and Metabolic Changes During Treatment with Antipsychotics and Antidepressants. Gill H, Gill B, El-Halabi S, et al.

Antidepressant Medications and Weight Change: A Narrative Review. Epub Oct 6. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Accessed October 12, Serretti A, Mandelli L. Antidepressants and body weight: a comprehensive review and meta-analysis. Moore JX, Chaudhary N, Akinyemiju T. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Original Research.

Can SSRIs cause weight gain? Anntidepressant common is Bain weight gain? Zoloft Prozac Paxil Lexapro Celexa Other antidepressants Weight management FAQs Research. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs are a class of antidepressant drugs. David Culpepper, M. Luxury You Anf Do About Potassium and water retention Recovery rituals Caused by SSRIs. Antideprrssant Schimelpfening, MS is the weighr for the non-profit depression support group Depression Ad. Nancy has a lifetime of experience with Antiddepressant, Antidepressant and weight gain firsthand how devastating Antideptessant illness can be. Rachel Goldman, PhD FTOS, is a licensed psychologist, clinical assistant professor, speaker, wellness expert specializing in eating behaviors, stress management, and health behavior change. Weight gain can be a distressing side effect of certain antidepressants in the class of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIssome of which include Zoloft, Paxil, and Lexapro. Typically, SSRI weight gain is modest. However, the upset it causes can complicate recovery from the condition being treated.