Sertraline and weight

[Notable]

I’m starting this treatment imminently but I have some big concerns. I wonder if anyone can share their experiences?

I should start by saying I’ve probably got a low level, sub clinical eating disorder. I am very sensitive about my weight but I’ve never been so bad as to seek treatment for this.

I’ve read that sertraline may cause weight gain which would bring up a lot of self loathing/control issues/blah blah blah which I really can’t face dealing with right now.

On the other hand I’ve also read it can cause a suppressed appetite and weight loss In some people. My BMI is 18.7 so my rational brain feels uneasy at the prospect of losing weight too.

For me the objective of this treatment is to control my panic attacks which are becoming more and more frequent as lockdown eases and I’m interacting with more people. I’m wondering what are the odds that my weight may remain unaffected by sertraline?

Hoping someone gives some advice on this as I am about to start taking this. Hoping it does not make me put on weight xxx

I’ve just spent 4 months on sertraline and felt like I was bloated and had put on weight! Not sure if this is a coincidence or I’ve been picking more! I’m about to change to escitoloapram xx

I definitely put on weight. I feel huge but I'm in the process of coming off it and I'm hoping I can sort my weight out in the near future.

I've put on 3 stone in 18 months on it.
Although it was lock down and I was eating rubbish too.
I've managed to lose 1.5 stone since January just eating healthily.

I'm quite similar OP, as in have had an eating disorder and still like to keep my BMI at or below 19. I've been on Sertraline for years and it's had zero effect on my weight. Best of luck with it; Sertraline has had a huge positive effect on my well-being.

My daughter's been on sertraline for about 2 months and has gained over a stone in that time. She says she's constantly hungry so I don't think it's that the tablets cause weight gain per se, just that they're making her want to eat.

I am on sertraline and have put a little bit of weight on, however I've been off work since Christmas and it's probably down to that (am on my feet all day at work and walk there and back). I started it in September and between then and Christmas I put no weight on as far as I could tell.

My appetite was zero for the first two weeks but then I was a lot hungrier. I'm not sure if it's excessively so, or whether it's more than I was too anxious to feel hungry a lot of the time before!

I don't think I'm gaining weight on it though, but I have gained over lockdown in general - seem to have been stable since starting sertraline though.

that was my experience too Linda - I can't tell if I've gained (a very small amount) of weight because I'm eating more, or because I'm eating the right amount but moving around a lot less. for me the benefits of sertraline absolutely outweigh any side effects (and I have not noticed any, after the first week or so of feeling edgy, jittery, dry mouth etc - oh! just remembered I get restless legs on a night sometimes but I am 45 and idk if this is mixed up with maybe being peri menopausal?), but I am fortunate enough to not have any issues with food or body image so your mileage may vary.

Thank you so much all for your experiences. I suppose there’s nothing to do but see how it goes!

@roarfeckingroarr, thank you - it’s heartening to hear that it had a positive impact for you

Hope you feel better soon op.

I was on sertraline for two years and I would say it didn't affect my weight overall. When I get stressed I eat less when I'm happy I eat more, so there were little fluctuations but nothing big, maybe like a kg up or down but that's normal for me. I switched to Venlafaxine a few months ago and I've lost weight on that.

Thank you @LisaStansfield

I list loads of weight on sertaline. In fact all anti depressants make me loose weight.

I gained weight taking escitalopram a few years ago. Came off that, had a break from Ad's but my mental health declined and I started sertraline a year ago.
It's had no impact on my weight. If anything, I lost weight because I had the get up and go in me to do some exercise! However, I fell pregnant so did gain some weight (3 stone!).
It's interesting to hear others have said they are hungrier. I'm also hungrier but I wasn't sure if that was breastfeeding, lockdown or tablets.
Good luck with it op. Sertraline saved my life

Interesting thread as I have the option to take this.im happy and self motivated but I suffer social anxiety and agoraphobia at times.will it help with this.l?

My son is in a low dosage of this due to panic and anxiety. He has since lost quite a bit of weight, but that could be due to his age and growth spurt.