Would halving dose of antidepressant (Citalopram) help combat weight gain? Thanks

[Bettyhatesavocados]

Just that, really... Since starting on a new antidepressant and building up to the highest dose I have seen a lot of weight gain. I don't feel the highest dose is helping my mental health anymore than when I was on half the dose, plus I've gained so much weight. I am going to speak to GP about it but does anyone know if going back down to half of my current dose would help with the weight issue?
I'm hoping half the dose will help me lose some of this extra weight BUT I don't know if I'll experience weight gain whatever dose I'm on of this med (by just being on this med at all)... Anyone know? I'm hoping so as I don't want to experiment more... If I did might try Escitalopram as I think that is in the same family but is that likely to cause weight gain just as much as Citalopram?
I think I've explained this badly...hope you know what I mean.
Thanks, ladies!

Hi there,

Sorry I can't speak to the dosage, but I just wanted to share my experience with another anti-depressant and weight gain, (in case halving the dose of yours doesn't work.)

I take another anti-depressant which comes with the side effect of voracious appetite and weight gain. The anti-depressant I take is actually used for anorexia because it is such a good appetite stimulant. People put on an average of 2kg in the first few weeks of taking it and almost everyone gains weight.

In the beginning, I put on 7 pounds as I battled with cravings but then I actually lost 15 pounds later, while on this anti-depressant and I no longer suffer from hunger.

How I did it is that I started eating like I was a diabetic (I'm not) and adopted a low glycaemic diet.

I stopped eating all forms of sugar, cut out all high GI foods (such as products made from flour) and alcohol. I keep carbs to no more than 200g per day.

This is the only way I have found not to pack on the weight on when taking an appetite stimulant.

I read that many antidepressants alter your blood sugar and hunger hormones (like leptin) to make you eat more, and that when you cut out sugar and refined carbs, it stops adding fuel to that fire.