Citalopram...will I ever lose weight on this? Please help!

[melanie174]

Hi. I’ve been on 10mg, then increased to 20mg and now on 30mg. I’m fully aware that I have put around 8lbs to 1 stone on in approx 6 months. I do believe it’s been because of poor diet, not caring what I’m eating etc. But lately it’s really been getting to me and getting in the way of my recovery from anxiety and low self esteem. I’ve started the gym (2 to 3 classes a week), I walk my dog regularly and have also been following slimming world healthy eating plan. Whilst I do feel less bloated and in slightly better shape, the scales keep on increasing! Has anybody else had this happen? Will I ever see results? I’m sure it would boost my confidence if I did. Thanks in advance xx

You could be building muscle which weighs more so probably best to ignore scales. Don't let your happiness be dictated by a number.

Are you watching what you are eating? Calorie counting? Maybe look at James Smith he's very straight forward talking about weight loss and the industry, he doesn't like to use weight as a measure of success it's more like how strong you are measurements etc

Citalopram does two things that increase weight, It triggers carb cravings - really powerful ones, and it sedates you to the point you enjoy sitting and sleeping far more than is healthy or normal. I can't knock Citalopram - it really turned my life around. but like you I gained a vast amount of weight on it, and went from being nervily energetic to sluggish. I've been off it for a year and not lost weight yet. But I haven't tried to, either.

If you are feeling OK now, can you very slowly titrate off it before you gain any more? I came off gradually over about 3-4 months and had no side effects.