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Original poster

Escitalopram and weight gain

9 replies

Picklemeyellow · 02/10/2023 10:33

I have suffered decades of depression and anxiety.
Sadly, I have not had much luck with antidepressants. I suffer from gut issues and have found all the antidepressants I have tried have exacerbated my digestive issues to the point that I just could not continue.

I have also suffered from an eating disorder in the last and due to my gut issues, I now have ARFID (avoidance restrictive food intake disorder).

My mental health practitioner has prescribed me the Escitalopram. From everything that I read about this drug it appears to have a high rate of weight gain as a side effect. In all honestly as much as I want to feel better mentally, weight gain would be a disaster for me right now.

I appreciate that we are all different and react differently to medication but has anyone tried this drug? Did you gain weight?

OP posts:
gerrithedom · 02/10/2023 10:35

Citalopram is horrible. Ask if they can prescribe you Venlafaxine, it's much better and less likely to cause weight gain.

Citalopram is the first line prescribed as it's cheaper for the nhs.

AreolaGrande · 02/10/2023 10:39

I've been taking escitalopram 10mg since February. No weight gain and no other side effects of note (had to come off sertraline due to awful side effects).

It has really helped with my anxiety ands makes me much more able to deal with everyday stresses. I think it's marvellous stuff 🙂

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 02/10/2023 10:42

Venlafaxine makes me eat a lot.

Original poster
Picklemeyellow · 03/10/2023 07:54

gerrithedom · 02/10/2023 10:35

Citalopram is horrible. Ask if they can prescribe you Venlafaxine, it's much better and less likely to cause weight gain.

Citalopram is the first line prescribed as it's cheaper for the nhs.

It’s Escitalopram I’ve been prescribed - is that a sister drug of Citalopram?

OP posts:
Original poster
Picklemeyellow · 03/10/2023 07:55

AreolaGrande that’s reassuring, thank you.

OP posts:
fatrascall · 03/10/2023 07:59

gerrithedom · 02/10/2023 10:35

Citalopram is horrible. Ask if they can prescribe you Venlafaxine, it's much better and less likely to cause weight gain.

Citalopram is the first line prescribed as it's cheaper for the nhs.

Not really true. Citalopram and sertraline are also first line because they are the safest. I took venlafaxine and got awful side effects from it - it's stronger and also slightly riskier than SSRI's in several ways, and there are higher risks if you overdose from it. It's not a 'better' drug, it's just different.

fatrascall · 03/10/2023 08:01

OP if it's the same thing as citalopram, it didn't make me gain weight, but I guess everyone is diferent and you might have to try it for a bit and see what happens. You could always keep an eye on your weight and stop taking it if it starts creeping up.

2Blackcat · 03/10/2023 08:31

I have been off and on it for almost 20 years. Generally I have a pattern of feel better, come off it, am ok, then suddenly get very depressed, go back on it, takes some time but improve.... When I get depressed I lose weight rapidly and when I am stable I gradually put on weight. Assume I feel better and eat more. In my case I then stop putting on the weight and am a bigger size. Interesting this time I got depressed (Covid?) whilst on the antidepressant and lost weight. Have increased the dose and not put on weight but I am trying to keep my weight loss.... good luck

LabradorLady1 · 03/10/2023 09:56

I have used citalopram a few times for extended periods of time but didn’t find that I gained weight as a side effect. It worked really well for me and I don’t regret taking it. I hope you feel better soon.

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