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Mental health

Have antidepressants made anyone else fat???

17 replies

cafebistro · 11/12/2012 09:33

Ok so before people point it out to me - yes I know it's eating too much that has made my fat but my antidepressants definitely increased my appetite considerably. Only now that I'm off them have I noticed a massive decrease in my appetite.
Has anyone else experienced this? And if so is it a temporary thing and will my appetite come back with a vengeance?

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Millie2013 · 11/12/2012 12:52

Yes, me, but only when I was taking citalopram for about 18 months. I piled on a lot of weight and never managed to lose it :(

Some GPs deny that is happens, but a colleague worked on SSRIs in the very early days and says that weight gain is a well-recognised side effect of long term dosing, but they are not quite sure of the mechanism underlying it!

Some TCAs can cause weight gain too, in some people

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Mockingcurl · 11/12/2012 18:02

Yup. I've been on Citalopram for two years and have put on over a stone. I'm going to Weight Watchers and it is coming off but very erratically. Antidepressants seem to slow down my metabolism.

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Lottieloulou · 11/12/2012 18:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Sparklingbrook · 11/12/2012 18:06

My GP said Citalopram affect the ability for the stomach to feel full so watch the portion sizes.

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NotWankinginaWinterWonderland · 11/12/2012 18:06

Yes Mitrazipine, they make everyone I know crave sugar. They also make me less anxious!

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feeno · 11/12/2012 18:07

Yes. I put on 2 stone whilst on sertraline for a long time. Soon as I stopped the weight fell off very quickly

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purplerainbow · 11/12/2012 18:13

This is interesting reading! Was put on sertraline for anxiety few months back and are helping me but I'm definetley heavier although I'm not eating any extra. I am also craving sugary things. I think I'm holding more fluid whilst on them? Anyone else feel like that?

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MirandaWest · 11/12/2012 18:15

I did put on weight when I took Citalopram but my lifestyle at the time wasn't exactly conducive to not putting on weight IYSWIM. Exercise and eating fewer sweets helped.

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PurplePidjChickIsNotTheMessiah · 11/12/2012 18:18

2 stone in a year, eating the same food (in smaller portions) as fitnees-obsessive dp. On the plus side, i shifted it in 9 months when i switched the tablets for gym and a personal trainer!

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ReallyTired · 11/12/2012 18:24

Yes, I put on weight, but the GP wanted me to put on weight as I was ridicolously skinny.

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feeno · 11/12/2012 18:38

Yes to sugar cravings on sertraline! I am normally into savoury stuff but keep stuffing my face with Lindor chocs and I literally can't help it!

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talkingnonsense · 11/12/2012 18:41

I lost weight on citalopram, which is less usual but still common- partly lack of appetite and partly not comfort eating. Sertraline is supposedly less likely to lead to weight gain.

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MoomieAndFreddie · 11/12/2012 18:45

am on sertraline

i found that the first couple of weeks of taking it, my appetite plummeted and i felt nauseaous a lot

BUT have been on them about a year now, and i think in the last 6 months i have been clinging on to weight, just can't shed it. and am always hungry. it sucks.

might see Gp for a review

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purplerainbow · 11/12/2012 20:19

I'm the same. Just can't shift the extra weight. I'm not overweight but still bigger than I normally am. Don't want to come off them just yet so I guess ill just have to put up with it!

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Barkyboots · 11/12/2012 21:59

Yes, same problem here. Have been on anti-d's, (variously Seroxat, Fluoxetine and for last month, Citalopram), for 15 years, since DS 2 was one - he's now 16. Weirdly, the penny's only just dropped with me that my weight problems coincided with the commencement of anti-d's - I think I always thought it was just 'baby weight' gain... Have recently (July) had my anti-d dose increased from 20mg to 40mg and in 20 weeks I have gained 20lbs - nightmare!! Daren't wind down or come off the anti-d's right now though for fear I will go back to being a completely Mad (but possibly slightly thinner) Moo...

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DrinkFeckArseGirls · 11/12/2012 22:24

Oh God, yes! A stone in the last 6 months and can't shift it in spite of irregular gym, walking loads and trying yo eat not too late. Snacking on crap and worried about my teeth.

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cafebistro · 12/12/2012 13:44

Thanks for all the replies - sorry i've only just got around to replying. I was on Escitalopram (?) for the last 4 years after a severe bout of postnatal depression with my 2nd DC. God they've worked in the sense that I'm not completely mad anymore but I was beginning to worry that I was having more side effects than I originally thought.
I was constantly hungry, lethargic (obviously from stuffing my face!). I never seemed to be full. I've only been off them a couple of weeks but like I say my appetite has completely reduced.
It actually interesting to see what I'm like 'normally' as it's so long since I've been med free.
Hopefully the depression/anxiety won't rear it's ugly head again and I'll be able to stay off them. But as i've had 3 bouts of severe depression in my past I'm not holding my breath Hmm.

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