Anti Depression Meds For Weight Loss

When To See A Doctor

If you are concerned about or are experiencing significant weight changes while taking an antidepressant, you may want to talk with your healthcare provider. A doctor may be able to change your medication, alter your dose, refer you to a nutritionist, recommend lifestyle changes, or help address any questions or concerns you have about your medications.

Medically reviewed by Kristin Hall, FNP

Sertraline, sold under the brand name Zoloft®, is a widely used antidepressant that belongs to a class of medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs.

Like other antidepressants, SSRis including Zoloft , Celexa and others can cause certain side effects, including weight gain. In fact, some studies have shown that the more often you use them, the more weight you may gain.

Below, weve discussed the relationship between sertraline and weight gain, as well as what you can expect if youve been prescribed this medication.

Weve also explained what you can do to reduce your risk of gaining weight after you start using sertraline or other antidepressants.

What Should I Tell My Ro

• Bupropion SR contains the active ingredient bupropion. It is the same active ingredient that is found in medications called Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL, Aplenzin, Zyban, or Forfivo XL. Tell your provider if you are taking one of these medications.

• Bupropion SR has many drug interactions. Its important to tell your Ro-affiliated provider all of the medications you are currently taking, including prescription, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal and dietary supplements. Some medications to watch out for include:
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors , including the antibiotic linezolid and intravenous methylene blue
• Antipsychotics, such as risperidone and haloperidol
• Other antidepressants, including SSRIs and SNRIs
• Drugs used to treat Parkinsons Disease called levodopa and amantadine

• Its important to share your entire medical history with your provider. In particular, tell your provider if you have a past history of:
• Suicidal thoughts or attempted suicide
• Bipolar Disorder
• Family history of Bipolar Disorder or family history of suicide
• If you are a smoker and/or youre trying to quit smoking
• Alcohol or opiate abuse

How To Prevent Weight Loss Due To Antidepressants

When taken as directed, antidepressants can be effective in treating both depression and anxiety.

If you lose an excessive amount of weight after starting an antidepressant, talk to your doctor about the medications benefits and side effects.

If the benefits dont outweigh the weight loss side effects, you can also ask if adjusting the doseor switching medicationsmight be helpful. Discuss the pros and cons with your doctor before making such a decision.

You May Like: How Is Depression Different From Sadness

What You Can Do

Psychiatrist and addiction expert Michael McGee, MD, agrees that weight gain is a real problem with many of the medications he prescribes. “Women get especially concerned about it,” admits Dr. McGee, who is also the chief medical officer at the Haven Treatment Center in California and the author of The Joy of Recovery. Some patients can eventually go off antidepressants by adopting evidence-based lifestyle interventions to prevent weight gain, he says.

“I recommend the Mediterranean diet because it has antidepressant qualities and I encourage good eating habits like eating slowly and mindfully, avoiding ‘red light’ foods with lots of added sugar or foods that are overly processed,” he explains, adding that it’s also important for patients to make friends with hunger. “Accepting that a little hunger is OK and is necessary to maintain weight.” Dr. McGee also recommends spending time in nature, becoming involved in a spiritual community and connecting with others through volunteer work or by socializing with friends.

Be sure to voice your concerns with your physician. Ask your prescribing doctor if there is more than one option and if they can recommend an antidepressant that isnt associated with weight gain. If your doctor feels the most effective medication is one that has been found to cause weight gain in some people, start taking preventative steps right away.

More on this topic

Related

Depression Medications That Will Make You Lose Weight

According to the Mayo Clinic, clinical depression can be treated by psychotherapy as well as medication 1. Antidepressants affect the release and reuptake of some common neurotransmitters that send messages between neurons 2. Some of these include dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. Common antidepressant groups include selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors , monoamine oxidase inhibitors , and tricyclic antidepressants 2.

If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.

Besides effecting mood, some antidepressants can also help a person to lose weight 2. They may cause this by reducing the appetite, and increasing patient’s energy levels. Frequently, patients also lose weight due to some antidepressant side-effects such as nausea and vomiting.

Recommended Reading: Birth Control Pills That Help With Depression

Antidepressants & Weight Loss: How The Discovery Was Made

When people using popular antidepressants like Celexa and Zoloft began gaining weight, the situation did not go unnoticed. Whenever things change with your body, its pretty hard to miss on a personal level and the doctors prescribing the antidepressants noticed the changes too.

When antidepressants make you lose weight, that can be even more noticeable. Especially when its such a break from the norm. The news travels pretty fast when anything appears to support weight loss and researchers become keen to find out whats going on.

Using Wellbutrin as an example. When researchers at Duke University Medical Center, became aware clinical observations show the antidepressant facilitated weight loss, they recruited overweight and obese women and monitored their response to the drug.

The researchers gave some of the women daily doses of a placebo. The rest got 100 mg of buproprion per day. This was gradually increased to 200 mg, two times per day.

The researchers gave all the women dietary guidance and advised them to eat 1,600 calories per day.

Data from the study shows bupropion was more effective than the placebo in achieving weight loss at eight weeks.

What Are The Benefits Of Using Prescription Medications To Lose Weight

When combined with changes to behavior, including healthy eating and increased physical activity, prescription medications help some people lose weight and maintain weight loss. On average, after 1 year, people who take prescription medications as part of a lifestyle program lose 3% to 12% more of their starting body weight than people in a lifestyle program who do not take medication.

Research shows that some people taking prescription weight management medications lose 10% or more of their starting weight.5,6 Results vary by medication and by person.

Weight loss of 5% to 10% of your starting body weight may help improve your health by lowering blood sugar, blood pressure, and triglyceride levels. Losing weight also can improve some other health problems related to overweight and obesity, such as joint pain and sleep apnea. Most weight loss takes place within the first 6 months of starting the medication.

Read Also: Waking Up Sad And Depressed

Best Anti Depression Meds For Weight Loss

Studies show bupropion is an effective treatment for depression. Therefore, it may be a suitable option for people with depression and concerns.

American Jews have not been spared the devastating fallout of opioid abuse, which claimed 107,000 US lives in 2021, though.

Quadintel published a new report on the Weight Loss Chewing Gum Market. The research report consists of thorough information about demand, growth, opportunities, challenges, and restraints. In.

The Best Depression Medication To Lose Weight Mar 21, 2022. More specifically, the medication bupropion has been linked to weight loss in several studies. In a study. Dec 31, 2019 · Doctors often start by prescribing an SSRI. These medications generally cause fewer bothersome side effects and are less likely to cause problems at higher therapeutic doses than

Best Appetite Suppressant Supplements for Hunger Control and Weight Loss Find out more about our top picks for the best appetite suppressants. Our top seven picks for best appetite suppressant pills to control hunger and help you lose weight are: PhenQ is an effective.

Research published in 2014Trusted Source suggests that bupropion can lead to weight loss. The average weight.

In fact, bupropion is part of the popular weight loss drug naltrexone-bupropion , which.

Weight-loss surgery is a procedure that can help you reach a healthier weight, but it’s important to understand what the surgery involves before you decide whether it’s right for you.

May 6, 2022.

Whats The Best Antidepressant For Energy And Weight Loss

To answer this question, youll need to know a few things.

The first thing is that antidepressants are not really designed for weight loss. Rather, weight loss is more of a side effect. For some people, this side effect can be beneficial. However, weight loss from antidepressants isnt as natural or healthy as weight loss caused by, say, exercise and a healthy diet.

That said, there are some antidepressants that will be more useful than others if youre hoping to lose weight and gain energy. And remember the safest and healthiest choice is not to rely solely on these drugs. Use your enhanced energy levels to take up a regular exercise routine and prepare healthy food for yourself.

Read Also: What Are General Methods Used To Treat Depression

Prescription Medications Approved To Treat Overweight And Obesity

Easy Foods To Keep Around

Look for mood-boosting foods that dont require cooking or heating, such as:

• pretzels and whole-grain crackers
• dried, fresh, or frozen fruit
• pre-made wraps or burritos
• bottled whole juices, smoothies, or yogurt drinks
• pre-sliced or individually wrapped cheeses

Even if youd rather avoid prepackaged or individually wrapped items that contribute to excess waste, these conveniences can make it easier to take care of yourself. Making the best choice for your health and wellness is nothing to feel guilty about.

Finally, dont get too caught up in making sure everything is healthy and nutritious. Its always better to eat something over nothing, and theres nothing wrong with occasionally treating yourself to something special.

Recommended Reading: Best Antidepressant For Severe Depression And Anxiety

Why Do Antidepressants Affect Weight

There are different theories as to why antidepressants affect weight.

Some believe that the medications impact on neurotransmitters in the brain have an indirect impact on metabolism.

Others believe that weight gain or weight loss is an indirect side effect of the medications efficacy or inefficacy of treating the condition.

For example, some people use food and overeating to cope with anxiety and depression.

In this case, when they start antidepressant medication, they no longer feel the need to eat emotionally, which can lead to weight loss.

The opposite reaction is possible, too. For people who lose their appetite as a result of their depression, effective treatment for their symptoms may help their appetite return, causing a modest weight gain.

How To Prevent Weight Loss

People with a low or moderate weight do not need to lose weight, and excessive weight loss can be harmful. To maintain a weight within the healthy range, a person should eat a nutritious, well-balanced diet.

This involves avoiding or limiting foods high in fat, salt, and sugar, as they can increase the levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and blood glucose.

Instead, a person should try to eat meals and snacks :

• 5 portions of fruits and vegetables daily
• whole grain starches and carbohydrates with every meal, including oatmeal, potatoes, cereals, brown rice, whole wheat pasta, and whole grain bread
• fish, eggs, poultry, meat, or other protein sources
• 68 glasses of water per day, but not directly before a meal, as this may limit how much a person feels able to eat

Milkshakes with protein powder are a good way to boost calorie intake. People can also snack on nuts, peanut butter toast, yogurt, or fruit between meals.

If someone experiences serious side effects, they should call 911 or visit the emergency room.

If other side effects worsen or cause concern, a person should make an appointment with a doctor.

People under the age of 25 years are most at risk of suicidal thoughts when they first begin taking antidepressants. It may be wise for an individual to tell a friend or family member that they are on antidepressants so that this loved one can check in from time to time.

You May Like: How Many People Are Depressed In The World

Which Antidepressants Cause Weight Gain

Though most antidepressants can cause weight gain as side effect, some antidepressants seem more likely to cause weight gain than others, including:

The effect of SSRIs on weight is mixed.

Despite the fact that many SSRIs cause weight loss during short-term treatment, other studies show that these drugs may cause long-term weight gain. The effects of these drugs will need continued study before we know more.

Alcohol Tobacco And Other Drugs

The misuse and abuse of alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs, and prescription medications affect the health and well-being of millions of Americans. SAMHSAs 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health reports that approximately 19.3 million people aged 18 or older had a substance use disorder in the past year.

Read Also: Overcoming Depression On Your Own

Antidepressants That Give You Energy And Weight Loss

Antidepressants That Give You Energy and Weight Loss If you live with depression, you learned that your symptoms can range from mild to severe including physical symptoms such as pain and exhaustion, as well as emotions like anxiety, grief, and desperation.

Depression will affect your appetite and may cause your weight to go up or down, also serotonin levels can trigger appetite changes. High levels cause loss of appetite while low levels lead to increased appetite. Antidepressants are often associated with gaining weight more often than losing it, and this might come as a result from a combination of factors such as genetics, race, age, and gender.

What is Antidepressants?

Antidepressants are type of medications that build to help relieve symptoms of depression, social anxiety disorder, anxiety disorders, seasonal affective disorder, and dysthymia, or mild chronic depression, as well as other conditions. Their purpose is to correct chemical imbalances of neurotransmitters in human brain that are believed to be responsible for changes in mood and behavior. Antidepressants first developed around 1950s. It has been used progressively more common in the last 20 years.

Whats the Best Antidepressant for Energy and Weight Loss?

Read Also:

Antidepressants for Energy

Read Also:

Can antidepressants cause you to lose weight?

Antidepressants That Can Cause Weight Gain

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors

• MAOIs affect neurotransmitters that communicate between brain cells, preventing an enzyme called monoamine oxidase from removing the neurotransmitters norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine from the brain. This allows these neurotransmitters to remain in the brain for a longer time, thus elevating your mood.
• Weight gain is likely in the short term and long term .
• Examples of MAOIs include Marplan , Nardil , and Parnate .

Tricyclic compounds

• Tricyclic antidepressants help keep more serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. These chemicals are made naturally by your body and are thought to affect your mood.
• Weight gain is likely both in the short term and long term.

SSRIs other than paroxetine

• SSRIs treat depression by increasing serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is one of the neurotransmitters that carry signals between the brain nerve cells. SSRIs block the reabsorption of serotonin into the neurons.
• Weight gain in the short term is less likely. Long-term weight gain is possible, but evidence varies.
• Examples include Paxil, Zoloft, Celexa, and Prozac.

Also Check: Where Can I Get Counselling For Depression

How Antidepressants Affect Weight Loss

Roughly 13 percent of Americans over the age of 12 take antidepressant medications. If youre one of them, your medication can help ease common symptoms of depression and anxiety to improve your quality of life. Unfortunately, like all medications, antidepressants pose a risk for side effects, including weight gain and weight loss challenges. Understanding how antidepressants affect your weight allows you to choose the right approach to diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes to set you up for lasting weight loss success.

Weight Loss And Antidepressant Tips

Although antidepressants may complicate your weight loss efforts, you can still reach a healthy goal weightand maintain itwhile undergoing treatment for depression. Here are some tips to lose weight while taking antidepressants.

Dont quit your depression treatment on your own

Although its tempting to simply stop taking your antidepressant in an effort to lose weight, dont. Suddenly discontinuing the use of antidepressants may cause a return in your symptoms. Depending on the drug you take, you could also develop withdrawal symptoms. Because some antidepressants require a weaning-off schedule, you should never stop taking your medication on your own.

Also Check: What Is The Best Way To Overcome Depression

Antidepressants As Weight Loss Aids

If you do not have depression, antidepressants are not recommended for weight loss. Studies have found that taking these medications for that purpose has negligible results. There’s no proof that it helps any more with losing weight than diet and exercise alone.

Can Prozac make you lose weight? Yes. But losing weight by eating nutritious foods and getting regular physical activity is recommended over trying a “Prozac weight loss diet.”

If weight loss is your main concern, talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to work toward a weight-loss goal. There are some prescription medications approved for the treatment of obesity, including Contrave.

Contrave is a combination of bupropion and naltrexone . Research has shown it to be fairly effective, well-tolerated, and safe. As with many medications used for weight loss, it’s typically used in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and an exercise program.