The results of a large, cross-sectional study based on the General Electric Medical Records Database of MDD patients treated with antidepressant monotherapy for at least 1 year suggested differences in the proportion of patients who gained at least 7% of their body weight (BW) during treatment. However, a longer-term follow-up study reported that 13 percent of patients prescribed citalopram reported weight gain of 7 percent or more of their body weight nine months after they started treatment. Despite the concomitant occurrence of the frequent use of antidepressants and the high incidence of obesity in Western societies, additional studies are required to fully test our hypothesis that the rise in obesity rates is related at least in part to increasing antidepressant use, and to elucidate the mechanisms underlying antidepressant-induced weight gain. Most previous data on antidepressant-induced weight gain were extracted from drug trials of antidepressant medications or larger cross-sectional observational studies investigating the broad spectrum of MDD research. Numerous studies have investigated the effects of different classes of antidepressants on body weight. Department of Defense Clinical Practice Guideline reviewed pharmacogenomic testing for antidepressant selection. Some SSRIs, such as fluoxetine had less of an association with weight changes and remained weight neutral . Antidepressant-induced weight occurs through alterations in neurotransmitters, metabolic regulation, and behavioral changes. TCAs may also influence insulin secretion through their inhibitory effects on M3 muscarinic receptors, which play a key role in insulin release . Prior research has shown that CRP may serve as a predictor of antidepressant response 96,97. For newer antidepressants, such as vortioxetine, there is much less information. There is more information about the more commonly used antidepressants, such as SSRIs, and their use in pregnancy. Your GP or psychiatrist can help you to understand what the current research says about different medications in your personal situation. Some medications have been used in pregnancy for many years. Major depressive disorder (MDD) and obesity are both common heterogeneous disorders with complex aetiology, with a major impact on public health. But this must always be balanced with the positive side effects that may have occurred with the antidepressant in question, as not all antidepressants will have the same positive impact on each individual person. Any weight gain must be weighed against the negative possible outcomes of untreated depression. In particular, check out the nutritional content of commonly eaten foods and foods believed to be “healthy”. If one believes their current efforts to lose weight should be more productive, a consultation with a nutritionist may be helpful. Dr. Camacho completed her undergraduate studies at Tufts University. Values are presented as weighted means±standard deviation for continuous variables and weighted frequencies (percentages) for categorical variables. Similarly, non-Hispanic Whites and individuals of "other race" categories also had lower odds of obesity compared to other Hispanics. The analysis incorporated NHANES survey weights and design variables to produce nationally representative estimates. Because this study used de-identified, publicly available data, it was deemed exempt from institutional review board (IRB) oversight. Other pain medications may be necessary to reduce the severe discomfort from burning feet some people feel. Mental health professionals can offer treatment plans that can help you manage your symptoms. As with all mental health conditions, seeking help as soon as symptoms appear can help decrease the disruptions to your life. It’s important to remember that mood disorders are mental health conditions. You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, we will only use your protected health information as outlined in our Notice of Privacy Practices. Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. What factors contribute to weight gain on antidepressants? Furthermore, people who are experiencing depression may be more likely to overeat or make unhealthy food choices as a coping mechanism, which can further exacerbate weight gain. Before we dive into the topic of weight loss after antidepressants, it’s essential to understand why antidepressants can cause weight gain in the first place. But Wellbutrin is less likely than other antidepressants to cause sexual side effects and weight gain. These discoveries in the 1950s and 1960s sparked further interest in antidepressant drug therapy and in developing new and better medications for patients suffering from depression. Although the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have better overall safety and tolerability than older antidepressants, broad-based experience with SSRIs has shown the frequency and type of side effects to be increased relative to clinical trial data. Depression can be a debilitating condition and, if you're suffering, you deserve to receive proper treatment. Antidepressants are not a one-size-fits-all medication, and it's worth persisting until you find something that suits your individual needs. This could be a positive thing, especially if you were underweight to begin with. Compared to the control group, they were 21% more likely to put on weight, although there was a lot of variability in which drugs had which effect. For those who are already feeling less than stellar, this can be demoralising, fuelling anxieties about their health or appearance. Talk to a health care provider about clinical trials, their benefits and risks, and whether one is right for you. Other people, such as those with health conditions, join to try new or advanced treatments that aren’t widely available. Some people join clinical trials to help doctors and researchers learn more about a disease and improve health care. These studies help researchers determine if a new treatment is safe and effective in people. Dietary intervention for mental health disorders The best described effects in studies include dizziness, headache, diarrhea, sleepiness, dry mouth, sexual function changes, and sweating. Based on trial data and current reports, hair loss does not appear on the list of common side effects for this medication. Auvelity is a newer antidepressant, so it makes sense to wonder about side effects that do not always show up on the first page of a leaflet. It is helpful to discuss a personalized treatment plan with a health care provider. However, studies testing vitamin D as a treatment for SAD have produced mixed results, with some studies indicating that it is as effective as light therapy and other studies finding no effect. The differences noted in the study include weight change, heart rate, blood pressure and total cholesterol. It works well for weight loss because that’s what it’s designed to do. PhenQ was designed to provide people with a safe over the counter alternative to Phentermine – a prescription appetite suppressant with nasty side effects. Unless you suffer from depression, it makes good sense to use a diet pill to help you to lose weight. For anyone who is overweight, weight loss is likely to be an enticing side effect but is unlikely to be the only one. The 20 Most Common Antidepressants (In Order) However, the nature of this association remains poorly understood , and the mechanisms underlying the potential association between obesity and treatment outcome to antidepressant treatment have not been fully established. In these two studies, the proportion of female subjects was relatively high (63.8%–68.1%) compared with studies reporting positive associations (53.9%–62.4%), with the exception of one study by Dennehy that reported an association between non-remission and obesity without adjusting for sex differences. Among three studies reporting negative associations between obesity and antidepressant responses, two 16,17 included information regarding the influence of age and sex. Antidepressants can help alleviate depressive symptoms, including changes in appetite, leading to weight loss in some cases. While some SSRIs, such as fluoxetine (Prozac), have been linked to weight gain, others, like fluvoxamine (Luvox), may cause weight loss. They can help you determine the underlying causes of weight loss and develop a personalized plan to achieve a healthy weight. This is because increased serotonin levels can stimulate appetite, leading to overeating and subsequent weight gain. Many people taking antidepressants won't gain any weight and others could gain more. "While differences in weight gain for specific antidepressants tend to be small, there are certainly some — like bupropion — that tend to cause less weight gain," he notes. They gauged weight gain or loss at regular intervals — six, 12, and 24 months — after people began taking an antidepressant for the first time. However, further longitudinal studies are needed to better understand the long-term metabolic consequences of antidepressant therapy to optimize treatment strategies in order to balance efficacy with metabolic health. In another area of medical treatment, Safren et al59,60 have shown that in HIV-positive patients, an intervention called Life-Steps, which is a single-session intervention utilizing cognitivebehavioral, motivational interviewing, and problem-solving techniques, improves adherence to HIV antiretroviral therapy. Some clinicians are reluctant to discuss side effects in advance because of a concern that it will make patients anxious and may magnify side effect concerns. Side effects necessarily indicate toxicity or indicate that, the medication is a poor match for the patient. Digital brochures and fact sheets with more information about depression, including signs, symptoms, and treatment options.The most important thing to consider is your health before starting any specific diet or routine.With their prevalent use, concerns about side effects such as weight gain are common among patients and healthcare providers alike.Vitamin D deficiency may exacerbate these problems in people with winter-pattern SAD because vitamin D is believed to promote serotonin activity.However, some studies have suggested possible confounding effects of sex, age, menopausal status, psychopathology, other medical comorbidities, and antidepressants.All the newer atypical antipsychotics tested cause weight gain, some more than others.Similar to our study results, Yosmaoglu et al. (36) found that there was an increase in total cholesterol level and a borderline elevation in HDL levels in their study, in which several antidepressants were used.Studies have demonstrated that bupropion can increase the body’s metabolic rate, leading to weight loss.In this article, we’ll explore the drugs that cause acne and weight loss, and what you can do to mitigate their effects.Open and honest communication with your doctor is crucial when managing weight changes on antidepressants. If you start to experience symptoms of serotonin syndrome, contact your prescriber or seek emergency medical care right away. But it can progress quickly into more severe symptoms, such as confusion, high blood pressure, and uncontrolled body movements. Mild serotonin syndrome symptoms may include sweating, tremors, and a fast heart rate. All SSRIs carry a boxed warning (the strongest warning the FDA can assign to a medication) for this risk. Prescription medications to treat overweight and obesity work in different ways. You can calculate your BMI to learn if you are overweight, have obesity, or have severe obesity, which may increase your risk of health problems. Well Whisk is a digital health publisher dedicated to clarifying confusion around symptoms, mental health, and medication. Comparison of pre- and posttreatment glucose–insulin levels of patients and healthy controls After treatment, body weight and BMI values were higher in the patient group than in the control group. Demographic and clinical characteristics of patients and healthy controls Once-weekly semaglutide in adolescents with obesity. Watch a video of NIDDK Director Dr. Griffin P. Rodgers explaining the importance of participating in clinical trials. Before using a medication, learn all you need to know about it. The table below lists prescription drugs approved by the FDA for chronic weight management. But at the same time, I've definitely read and talked with patients who have gained significantly more weight on antidepressant medication. So weight changes can happen when people start taking antidepressants, but it's not the case for everyone. So with antidepressants, today, we're looking specifically at weight gain, which is an issue that comes up with it. But the medications also can bring added pounds, a reality that sometimes convinces folks to stop taking antidepressants even if they're working. Be sure to ask about the potential weight loss effects of the medication, as well as any other side effects that may impact your weight. It can appear anywhere from weeks to years after starting the medication. These progestins can also cause unwanted hair growth on other parts of the body. Your prescriber can help you stop taking an antidepressant safely if you think it’s causing problematic hair loss. This can cause serious side effects, especially if you’ve been taking it for a while. But you shouldn’t stop taking an antidepressant on your own. In this article, we will explore which antidepressants are considered favorable for weight loss, their mechanisms, and other vital considerations.However, it should be approached with caution, as unintentional weight loss can also signal an underlying concern that needs to be addressed.Managing weight gain as a side effect of antidepressant therapy.Meet Moira, a health and fitness writer who aims to make sometimes-complicated science and research easy to digest and easy to apply to a healthy lifestyle.When considering antidepressant treatment, it's important to weigh potential side effects like weight gain against the benefits of treatment.Many people feel "down" or have the "winter blues" when the days get shorter in the fall and winter and feel better in the spring when longer daylight hours return.Most of the time, a person who is suffering from depression must seek counseling or psychological help along with a prescription for depression medications.The evaluating medical professional will take all of these factors into account as they formulate a diagnosis and recommend an individualized treatment plan. Taking medications for weight management or mental health add another layer of complexity to the matter. Antidepressants can indeed cause weight gain, but the risk varies dramatically between different medications and individuals. When considering antidepressant treatment, it's important to weigh potential side effects like weight gain against the benefits of treatment. These lifestyle factors can help minimize weight gain and provide other health benefits independent of medication effects. Some studies report no weight gain or even initial weight loss, while others find weight gain with higher doses or reversal of initial weight loss during long-term treatment. It is the inhibition of H1 receptors that leads to weight gain as a side effect 17,95. Stimulation of the 5-HT2A receptors leads to satiety and its inhibition results in overeating and weight gain. Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) represent a classic first-generation formula of antidepressant drugs—the monoamine theory . The composition of the gut microbiome also affects intestinal permeability and intra-intestinal drug metabolism (e.g., via bacterial metabolic pathways), altering the pharmacokinetics of any peroral antidepressants. With respect to antidepressant medication, the role of intestinal microbiota should not be overlooked. SSRIs have demonstrated to be useful treatment options for bulimia nervosa (BN) and binge eating disorder (BED) . Compared to other anxiolytics, SSRIs have fewer side effects and treat depression, which is often comorbid with anxiety . SSRIs are currently the preferred medication for anxiety disorders due to an abundance of literature supporting their safety and effectiveness 23,24,25. The individual and societal impacts of depression highlight the importance of effective treatments. Signs and symptoms of hypomania Although uncommon, EPS in patients treated with SSRIs has been observed in numerous studies 90,91,92. SSRIs marked a massive improvement in the treatment of depression for many reasons, particularly their binding specificity. Sold most commonly under the brand name Luvox, fluvoxamine is approved in the United States for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder and SAD. Health The researchers analyzed participants' electronic health records and body mass index. Most were overweight or obese at the study's start. Published July 2024 in Annals of Internal Medicine, the new study drew on data from more than 183,000 people between ages 20 and 80. Patients would be followed for 2 years and have weight measured at baseline and 6, 12, and 24 months after initiation. Inverse probability weighting of repeated outcome marginal structural models was used to account for baseline confounding and informative outcome measurement. Prescription data determined initiation of treatment with sertraline, citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine, bupropion, duloxetine, or venlafaxine. Find Articles By Drug The most important thing to consider is your health before starting any specific diet or routine. This blog post will help you make healthier and better health choices. Our dietitians will discuss how we can help you achieve your health goals. If depression is causing a lack of appetite, an improved mood may account for greater food intake. They also influence appetite, stress, sleep, and other elements of health. One main reason it may occur is because neurotransmitters like serotonin don’t just affect mood. In fact, Wellbutrin XL is sometimes added to SSRIs to manage sexual side effects. There are ways to limit these side effects, however. Another treatment may be a better option for you. If drowsiness or dizziness don’t improve, let your healthcare professional know. While Lexapro causes insomnia for some people, it can make other people feel drowsy. Fluoxetine has been found to lead to weight loss in adults with overweight or obesity when taken at a dosage of 60 milligrams (mg) daily. The link between antidepressants and weight is complex and is influenced by multiple factors. Overall, it is crucial to remember that weight changes on antidepressants can vary from person to person. Antidepressants can have varying effects on body weight. However, Quetiapine, Haloperidol, Trifluoperazine, Risperidone, Aripiprazole, Olanzapine, and Clozapine increased body weight ≥7% from baseline, which is considered a clinically significant result. Our findings highlight the importance of looking closely at how obesity and depression are connected through metabolic and biological processes on their own, instead of just focusing on drug treatments. After controlling for clinical and demographic factors, we did not find a significant correlation between antidepressant use and obesity. This table presents odds ratios (ORs), 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and p-values from a multivariable logistic regression model evaluating the association between antidepressant use and obesity among adults with depression. Depression and obesity provoke dysfunction of the endocrine system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal pathway, invoking inflammation and its mediators. Such advancements are likely to inform individualized prescriptions for persons with depression and comorbid metabolic conditions. The integration of sensitivity analyses and multiple imputation for missing data was also aimed at enhancing generalizability by accounting for non-random omissions, especially in high-risk subgroups. Why settle for side effects when you can have a real diet pill instead? However, it’s a diet pill, not an antidepressant. Few people are going to grumble about it but you need to remember it’s only a bonus. If your medical status requires an antidepressant, using one that helps you to become slimmer is a nice bonus. Primary sleep disorders or concomitant alcohol and other substance abuse when evaluating and managing insomnia. Sixty-four percent of patients who experienced insomnia experienced it. As weight, gain may not be dose-dependent, at least within the therapeutic range of doses, a modest dose reduction is often ineffective. Hu et al1 found a rate of 15% of patients who experienced diarrhea, 78% of whom experienced it. Studies of this kind can't tell us why the weight gain happened, or even prove a causal relationship between antidepressants and weight gain. While some antidepressants cause weight loss, some may cause you to gain weight. If you are prescribed antidepressants, you may need to take them for eight months to a year, and your depression may come back once you stop taking your medication. Depression medications are also commonly referred to as antidepressants. These concerns are not unfounded as certain antidepressants, such as SSRIs, can frequently cause weight-gain, especially when taking the medication for a longer period of time.Do You Have Depression? Bupropion is often considered a good choice for individuals concerned about weight gain. The battle against depression is often compounded by the struggle with weight management. Recent changes in compounded GLP-1 production have led many to consider switching to FDA-approved medications—here’s what you need to know. Antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and atypical antipsychotic drugs seem to alter appetite by inhibiting serotonin-based regulation of the appetite function. The latter typically struggle with their weight because of a lifestyle of eating too much, exercising too little, and in many cases using food to deflect emotional issues. But unless the side effect is death, one assumes that most of these adverse events go away once the medication is no longer taken. A noticeable trend exists in the prescription of antidepressants of moving toward newer less weight-affecting molecules . However, the mechanisms linking antidepressant treatment to weight changes are still a matter of discussion and more comprehensive research is needed before a clear model of the relationship can be established. Indeed, the risk of developing obesity in depressed patients is 58% higher than in non-depressed subjects 12,13,14. Before anything else, it’s crucial to talk to your doctor about any side effects you’re experiencing, including weight gain. Get the facts about depression, including its symptoms, causes, and many treatment options. Therefore, further studies are required to characterize the interactions between obesity and antidepressant responses in more homogenous populations with potential mediators, including cognitive measures and inflammatory markers. Moreover, most studies did not analyze the mechanisms underlying the association between obesity and antidepressant responses. In this review, we also discussed the possible relationship between obesity and antidepressant responses in depressive disorders. Obesity is more frequently observed among psychiatric patients than among the general population (6).An estimated one in seven women experiences perinatal depression.Clinical depression can also affect how you sleep, your appetite and your ability to think clearly.Health care providers may also prescribe antipsychotics in combination with other medications to relieve symptoms of delirium , dementia , or other mental health conditions that are more common in older adults.There are multiple ways that drugs can affect neurotransmitters, which is why there are many different antidepressant medications.All of these medications increase serotonin levels in the brain.Before anything else, it’s crucial to talk to your doctor about any side effects you’re experiencing, including weight gain.In 1984, Wurtman et al. showed the role of serotonin in reducing carbohydrate intake which attributed an anorexic role to serotonergic drugs (i.e., SSRIs and SNRIs) . Exercise is a form of self-help that may help with depression as the release of endorphins while exercising can reduce the negative psychological symptoms of depression. Antidepressants can be an effective treatment option for severe depression. Drugs that affect body weight, body fat distribution, and metabolism. We were unable to obtain posttreatment data for eight patients because of unresponsiveness to treatment, switching drug or adding another drug to the treatment, or withdrawing from the study of their own desire. All patients were assessed via a clinical interview and psychometric tests before initiating treatment. In recent years, large epidemiological studies have shown indirect evidence suggesting that antidepressant use increases the risk for diabetes mellitus (24,25). In addition, drugs used for treating psychiatric disorders may also play a role in the etiology of obesity in such patients (9). Antidepressant exposure may therefore be a covert, insidious and enduring risk factor for obesity, even after discontinuation of antidepressant treatment. When exposed to a high-fat diet after stress and when antidepressant treatment had ended, the animals had significant increases in caloric intake, body weight (BW) and size from 17 to 22 weeks following antidepressant discontinuation when compared with (control) RRS animals treated with saline and fed with a high-fat diet. To test the hypothesis that antidepressant use is a risk factor for obesity, even after long-term discontinuation, we developed a novel animal paradigm consisting of short-term exposure to stress and antidepressants, followed by long-term high-fat diet. If you have been prescribed a medication for depression and feel that you have experienced weight gain since starting it, talk to your doctor or nurse practitioner. Generally, antipsychotics are more likely to cause weight gain than most antidepressants. Given that obesity is the second most common cause of preventable death after smoking, the need to monitor and mitigate antidepressant-induced weight gain is vital. Moreover, antidepressant-induced weight gain can exacerbate comorbid conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease 28,29. This artic le presents a critical evaluation of the published reports on the mechanisms underlying antidepressant-induced weight gain, comparative effects across drug classes, and mitigation strategies. This adverse effect contributes to treatment discontinuation, relapse, and worsened metabolic health outcomes, including increased risk for obesity and type 2 diabetes. They also have to make sure you haven’t experienced an episode of hypomania or mania, which could suggest bipolar disorder. Your provider has to rule out other causes of your symptoms, such as medical conditions or substance use. Two of the five symptoms must include low mood and loss of interest in previously enjoyed things and activities. It’s a disorder in which you experience long periods of extreme happiness, extreme sadness or both. And people who use kratom may begin craving it. This may lead to severe effects, such as liver damage and death. Indeed, in some patients, some of the features of discontinuation syndrome simply from an abrupt dose reduction rather than actual cessation. The syndrome often includes flulike symptoms such as malaise, myalgias, nausea, dizziness, and headache, and may even include neurologic symptoms such as unsteady gait, dysesthesias such as unusual shock-like sensations, tremulousness, or vertigo.46 Risk factors for discontinuation syndrome include abrupt cessation of short-acting agents and/or agents at. Abrupt discontinuation of SSRIs, nefazodone, venlafaxine, and mirtazapine may precipitate a discontinuation syndrome that can occur hours to days following the termination of medication. Decreasing caffeine intake and the use of benzodiazepines and ß-blockers can be helpful in the treatment of tremor. Rates of tremor of SSRIs and venlafaxine are 3 to 5 times higher than placebo, whereas the rate of tremor in nefazodone and mirtazapine therapy is only 2 to 2.5 times higher than placebo.56 It is important to consider other agents or causes when assessing a tremor, including caffeine intake and anxiety as well as common antidepressant, adjuncts such as the atypical antipsychotics. Due to cortisol’s role in appetite and metabolism regulation as well as adipocyte differentiation, hypercortisolemia and HPA axis hypersensitivity are known risk factors in the development of obesity, considered even more potent than a high-fat diet 54,55,56. From a clinical standpoint, a distinction is to be made between the typical ‘melancholic’ form of depression whereby food intake is reduced and atypical depression linked with comfort eating and an overall increase in appetite . Appetite disturbance and the accompanied weight change are included among the diagnostic criteria of major depressive disorder. There is also a phenomenon whereby obese people fail to cease overeating despite being fully aware of the negative impact on their health . A potential way to mitigate such non-adherence may be found in personalized prescriptions of antidepressants according to the patient’s pre-existing metabolic condition. They can help determine if you have an underlying health issue. When grief and depression co-occur, the grief is more severe and lasts longer than grief without depression. Both grief and depression may involve intense sadness and withdrawal from usual activities. The grieving process is natural and unique to each individual and shares some of the same features of depression. Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder can have a significant impact on the child’s ability to function. Some health conditions — for example, kidney disease, low blood pressure, heart rhythm problems or a history of seizures — may limit your options. Sleeping pill use may increase the risk of nighttime falls and injury in older adults. Sometimes prescription medicines used mainly to treat depression may ease insomnia when taken in lower doses. These were specifically created to treat the disorder and are FDA-approved for that. With patience, you and your healthcare professional can find a medicine that works well for you. That's because SSRIs may worsen their symptoms. Work with your healthcare professional to slowly and safely lower your dose. Alternate formats for therapy This results in a loss of the anorexigenic effect with prolonged pharmacotherapy and, over time, leads to a return to and a possible exceeding of their original body mass. Their mechanism of action depends on the inhibition of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine reuptake, thereby increasing the activity of their respective pathways. Furthermore, the administration of certain probiotic formulations has also been shown to alleviate depressive symptoms. Several pathophysiological mechanisms link stress, depression, and metabolic syndrome. These complex mechanisms can constitute a major link between stress, depression, and metabolic syndrome 13,76, summarized in Figure 2. One of the most common side effects is weight loss – which ones? But in the meanwhile, the best solution to this weight gain is to take advantage of serotonin's ability to turn off the appetite by simply eating therapeutic amounts of carbohydrates. It is hoped that soon there will be a new class of drugs to regulate mood disorders without causing the distress of weight gain. For maximum efficacy, it should be put in place at the start of treatment so that weight gain can be prevented. So if you start taking an antidepressant and your mood improves, you might all of a sudden be eating a little bit more and a couple pounds might come on. I mean, a lot of times, you hear when people are depressed, maybe you're not eating or you're skipping meals. But are there other reasons that might come into play as you start taking an antidepressant that can lead to a few pounds? There are several different types of antidepressants.Caffeine, alcohol, and sugar can mimic or increase anxiety symptoms.Using electronic health records, the researchers identified men and women who took an antidepressant for at least three months.Some, such as fluoxetine and sertraline, are more conducive to weight loss than others.These small fluctuations over time suggest that antidepressants have a minimal effect on weight for most people.So your healthcare professional will typically start you with a lower dose and gradually raise it over time.If you have class III obesity, bariatric surgery may be an option for you.Weight gain is a possible side effect of nearly all antidepressants. In addition to these clinical findings, obesity and MDD are influenced by gene–environment interactions.59 In fact, there have been association studies of obesity that identified genes that are hypothetically involved in depression. More specifically, we discuss the role of antidepressant use in weight gain, and the role of interactions with environmental factors, such as stress. Major depressive disorder (MDD) and obesity are both common, heterogeneous disorders with complex aetiology, and pronounced public health impact.1, 2 According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), MDD has become the second most prevalent cause of illness-induced disability, affecting 350 million people worldwide.3 In the United States, costs related to MDD such as medical expenses are estimated to be $210.5 billion a year.4, 5 With a lifetime prevalence of 16.2%, MDD is twice as common in women. On the basis of existing epidemiological, clinical and preclinical data, we have generated the testable hypothesis that escalating use of antidepressants, resulting in high rates of antidepressant exposure, might be a contributory factor to the obesity epidemic. Mood stabilizers are sometimes used to treat depression (usually along with an antidepressant), schizoaffective disorder, disorders of impulse control, and certain mental illnesses in children. In some cases, health care providers may prescribe mood stabilizers to augment the effect of other medications used to treat depression. For example, atypical antipsychotics are sometimes used to treat bipolar depression or depression in people that have not responded to antidepressant medication alone. These receptors mediate a variety of functions unrelated to mood, including sleep, appetite, and sexual function, as well as symptoms such as pain, nausea, depression, and anxiety.11 By increasing the inhibition of serotonin reuptake, more of the neurotransmitter is available to interact with any of these receptors or subtype receptors. However, this must be interpreted with the knowledge that the baseline prevalence of headache is higher in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder than in those with depression. The 6- to 8-week duration of typical antidepressant clinical trials may be insufficient for the capture of adverse events that only become evident with longer term treatment. However, postmarketing clinical trials have reported rates of sexual dysfunction as high as 75%.5 Although severe SSRI-induced hyponatremia was not reported in the original clinical trials, it is now known to occur in 1 in 200 elderly patients per year receiving treatment with fluoxetine or paroxetine. The informed management of these side effects by primary care practitioners supports successful treatment of depression. Still, make sure to listen to your body. It may take 4 to 8 weeks before sertraline’s full effects kick in. Sexual side effects, however, are less likely to improve with time. But most of these side effects should go away after you’ve been taking sertraline for a month or so (about 4 weeks). Sleep changes can also appear early on in treatment. Many people feel shy bringing up hair, yet doctors are used to weighing side effects that affect confidence and day to day comfort. Also note any new symptoms, such as weight change, feeling cold more often, low energy, or skin changes. Thyroid disease, low iron stores, autoimmune disorders, and major weight change all can thin hair. Stress around a diagnosis, work, family, or finances often runs alongside depression and treatment decisions. As more people take Auvelity in routine care, safety monitoring systems collect reports from doctors, pharmacists, and patients. Most of the time, people experiencing a manic episode are unaware of the negative consequences of their actions. It may be many days or weeks in the case of mania and many weeks or months in the case of depression. These changing mood states don’t always follow a set pattern, and depression doesn’t always follow manic phases. Bipolar disorder affects approximately 5.7 million adult Americans or about 2.6% of the U.S. population. Yeah, this is definitely something that gets brought up in a lot of conversations I have with patients on a daily basis. You make medication just absolutely come alive for us. He's one of the many experts at Cleveland Clinic who visit our weekly podcast to explain matters of health. That's a good question for board-certified clinical pharmacy specialist, Josh Maline. While they can be very effective in improving mental health, they can also have side effects, such as causing weight loss in some cases. This can help you manage weight loss and other side effects of depression medication. When taking antidepressant medication, it is important to work with healthcare professionals to monitor any changes in weight and discuss potential side effects. Antidepressants that are most likely to cause weight gain include tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). The weight data for patients with MDD treated with duloxetine have not previously been comprehensively analyzed. The authors hinted that the proper management of depressive symptoms can lead to a decline in obesity, and conversely, that addressing obesity may help alleviate depressive symptoms. Findings herein show a statistically significant relationship between depression and obesity, which was corroborated by previous literature. In the 1970s, second-generation antidepressants were developed with differing receptor-binding activities. Further investigations of these compounds and the tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) led to early theories relating brain chemistry and mood. Keeping an open line of communication with their healthcare provider can provide insight into what to expect and how to navigate any challenges that arise during treatment. Combining these lifestyle modifications with pharmacotherapy can result in more positive health outcomes and promote a better quality of life during treatment. Stopping antidepressants does not necessarily mean you will automatically lose weight. In these cases, addressing the underlying depression with medication and therapy can actually help with weight management. The likelihood of weight gain depends on various factors, such as the specific medication, dosage, and individual characteristics. While some people may experience weight gain, others may not. The little blue pill might help with physical arousal, but there are better treatments for low libido in women A consistent walking program is an effective way to drop pounds and lose body fat Lifestyle changes can bring a slight metabolic boost and health benefits Slight increases are somewhat common from either the medication or changed habits Drugs That Would Cause Excessive Sweating Lexapro side effects are usually mild and improve after your body gets used to the medication.The reasons for this variability are complex and depend on individual factors, such as the type of antidepressant, dosage, duration of treatment, and individual metabolic responses.Fluoxetine (Prozac) is often weight-neutral, while paroxetine (Paxil) has highest risk.In the United States, antidepressants are prescribed to 27 million people and they are the most frequently prescribed class of medication.7, 8 In the United Kingdom, France and Australia, antidepressant prescriptions have increased substantially since the early 1990s with the entry of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in the marketplace.9, 10, 11Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, also called SSRIs, are the type of antidepressant prescribed most often.It’s worth noting that the likelihood of weight gain varies among individuals and can depend on a range of factors, including the dosage and duration of treatment.These symptoms might persist for a while even once you've started antidepressants. In addition, a few studies found no association between obesity/body weight and treatment response 15,16,17. Moreover, future research should focus on the roles of mediating factors, such as inflammatory markers and neurocognitive performance, which may alter the antidepressant treatment outcome in patients with comorbid obesity and depressive disorder. Although several studies indicated an association between obesity/excess body weight and poor antidepressant responses, it is difficult to draw definitive conclusions due to the variability of subject composition and methodological differences among studies. Antidepressants are prescribed to treat a mental health condition, and weight loss may not necessarily alleviate depressive symptoms. Since the US Food and Drug Administration's approval of fluoxetine (Prozac) in 1988, SSRIs have been the most prescribed antidepressants on the market.77 They act by inhibiting serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5HT) uptake. In the same meta-analysis, the pooled adjusted OR was 1.49 (95% CI 1.19–1.89) for MetS predicting depression risk, and 1.52 (95% CI 1.20–1.91) for depression predicting MetS risk.63 Other meta-analyses showed that patients with MDD had a higher MetS prevalence (OR 1.54 (95% CI 1.21–1.97)), with higher risk for hyperglycaemia (OR 1.33 (95% CI 1.03–1.73)) and hypertriglyceridaemia (OR 1.17 (95% CI 1.04–1.30)).64 A common pathophysiological pathway between MDD and metabolic dysregulation involves the HPA axis, as described below. Studies have shown that the prevalence of MetS is greater in individuals with MDD symptoms.19, 20, 21, 22 Women with a history of MDD have twice the chance of developing MetS than women without such history.20 In longitudinal studies of 7–15 years of follow-up, women with symptoms of MDD and increased tension and anger at baseline had a higher risk of developing MetS.24 Furthermore, the risk for MetS was elevated from 1.21- to 2.12-fold (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00–4.25) in individuals with more severe MDD symptoms or very stressful life events.23 These cross-sectional and longitudinal studies have shown that MDD symptoms and stressful life events increase the risk of developing MetS. In the past few decades, studies have addressed the relationship between obesity and MDD, and they have suggested that both disorders share a common pathophysiology to a certain extent. It’s essential to remember that natural alternatives should not be used as a substitute for medically prescribed antidepressants. Additionally, regular exercise, stress management, and sufficient sleep can also support weight loss. It’s essential to discuss any medication changes or additions with your healthcare provider. For some individuals, weight concerns can be troubling, while others may not be as bothered. However, maintaining a balanced lifestyle, including a healthy diet and regular physical activity, is key to long-term success. It is worth noting that lifestyle factors, including diet and physical activity, play a significant role in weight management. Regardless of age, everyone taking Lexapro should watch for changes in their mood and behavior or worsening of symptoms. This is the FDA’s most serious type of medication warning. You may need treatment with IV fluids in a hospital setting to help correct your sodium levels. More serious symptoms include seizures, confusion, and rigid muscles. For example, serotonin syndrome is more likely to occur with higher Lexapro dosages. Common symptoms include mood swings, irritability or anger, depressed mood, and marked anxiety or tension. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder is estimated to affect between 1.8% to 5.8% of menstruating women every year. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) was added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) in 2013. First, we required patients to have an encounter at least 12 months before initiation (vs. 6 months in the main analysis) as an alternative definition of new users. We followed the same general approach in the per protocol analysis, except that we artificially censored patients when they first became nonadherent to the protocol. We estimated differences in average weight change under each strategy compared with sertraline and constructed 95% CIs with 1000 bootstrapped samples. We then fitted a weighted outcome regression model to the person-month data set using the IPWs. But another question on your mind may be whether it will fuel weight gain. If you're struggling with depression, the most important question about taking an antidepressant is whether it will work. Nikolova et al. conducted a randomized controlled pilot trial where 49 people with major depressive disorder received either a multi-strain probiotic or placebo for 8 weeks. Behavioral strategies should include but not limited to self-monitoring, goal setting, and problem solving to address barriers to weight loss . Research has shown that individuals taking bupropion may lose weight, primarily due to its effects on neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine and dopamine. Desvenlafaxine and weight change in major depressive disorder. Antidepressants have varied effects on weight change. Weight-centric treatment of depression and chronic pain. When possible, it is beneficial to choose from medications that have a lower risk of weight gain.Nefazodone is another option, though its use has been limited by risk of rare but.We used a similar approach to estimate risk ratios (RRs) for gaining at least 5% of baseline weight (Supplement Methods).Use of electronic health records enabled us to comprehensively ascertain whether participants had received prescriptions for antidepressants.Prozac is the other antidepressant that can do this but weight losses are generally confined to the early stages of use.Lexapro can also interact with blood thinners like Coumadin and Eliquis, raising the risk of bleeding.Low sodium levels, called hyponatremia, are more common in older people. Body measurements were performed, and lipid, fasting blood glucose, and insulin levels were measured before and after treatment in patients and once in healthy controls. The patients received antidepressant treatment (sertraline, escitalopram, fluoxetine, and venlafaxine) for 8 weeks. “Depending on how severe your depression symptoms are, gaining a few pounds may not be that significant for some people,” Hendricks says. It’s important to assess the benefits versus potential risks of taking a medication, and discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider. A lifestyle program may also address other things that cause you to gain weight, such as eating triggers and not getting enough sleep. Obesity is a chronic disease that affects more than 4 in 10 adults in the United States, and nearly 1 in 10 Americans have severe obesity.1 People who have a BMI between 25 and 30 are considered to be overweight. I believe that stepping away from the screen to explore new cultures and environments is essential for mental clarity and fresh perspectives. Sleep, movement, and stress management practices such as breathing exercises or gentle stretching can also help overall health. Additional types of depression can occur at specific points in a woman’s life. Women are diagnosed with depression more often than men, but men can also be depressed. It can cause severe symptoms that affect how a person feels, thinks, and handles daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working. Using tape to smooth wrinkles may be a temporary fix, but there are still risks For instance, if you’ve lost a large amount of weight, leaving you with a lot of crepey skin, a plastic surgeon likely will need to remove it. Thus, although this study had more limitations than RCTs for causal inference, we mitigated many of these with our analytic approach and interrogated our assumptions with sensitivity analyses. We adjusted for many baseline confounders and ran analyses restricted to those with baseline depression or anxiety, which yielded similar results (except slightly stronger associations for bupropion). Our study has several limitations compared with the RCT that we sought to emulate. Also, because of the low adherence rates, many fewer patients were included in the per protocol analysis at later time points, which reduced precision. We also observed a narrowing of the initial differences in weight change between SSRIs after 24 months. Many antidepressants have comparable effectiveness, which means that your doctor or psychiatrist can choose among multiple options to recommend the best option for your care. This antidepressant is in a class by itself because it does not act on the brain’s serotonin system. The drugs paroxetine and escitalopram were found to be tied to the most weight gain. Based on recent research, it is believed that the drugs paroxetine and escitalopram are most likely to cause weight gain. And yes, certain antidepressants and other medications may increase appetite. If you’re seeking treatment for depression, or are struggling with your mental health, consider Talkiatry. You should try to keep open communication with your doctor about any concerns you have regarding weight management, energy levels, or side effects of antidepressants. (Most weight loss medications also need to be paired with diet and exercise in order to be effective.) These medications may come with their own side effects, so be sure to discuss it with your healthcare provider. However, it’s essential to prioritize mental health treatment goals and work collaboratively with healthcare professionals to achieve optimal outcomes in both mental health and weight management. By illuminating this less-discussed facet of antidepressant therapy, we aim to offer insight and clarity to those grappling with the complex interplay between mental health management and weight regulation. Antidepressant medications encompass various classes, each with distinct mechanisms of action targeting neurotransmitters in the brain to alleviate symptoms of depression. Pharmacogenomic treatment approaches to combat antidepressant-induced weight gain involve tailoring antidepressant therapy based on individual genetic profiles to minimize adverse effects such as weight gain.If you’ve noticed dramatic weight changes recently, it’s important to let your healthcare provider know.Additionally, combining antidepressants with a healthy diet and regular exercise can help to promote overall health and well-being.The actions of several key neurotransmitter receptors, whose crucial roles in antidepressant mechanisms of action have been well established, were shown to potentiate Akt activity, thus mediating these effects .These medications may affect appetite, metabolism, and the body’s energy balance, leading to an increase in weight in some individuals.So too arc comparative rates of specific side effects across a number of antidepressant agents, which allow clinicians and patients to make informed choices about the relative risks of side effects of greatest concern to the patient. Disruption of antidepressant induced hippocampal neurogenesis by selective irradiation of the hippocampus also blocked the antidepressant effects of fluoxetine and imipramine , suggesting that neurogenesis is fundamental in determining the functional consequences of antidepressant treatment . As the subjects of most studies included in the present review were treated with various antidepressants, it is difficult to interpret the effects of antidepressant classes. In contrast to the above results, a study of adolescent TRD subjects did not support different effects of BMI on treatment response to different antidepressant classes. In one study investigating the association of BMI and the response to antidepressants, BMI differentially predicted a poor response to escitalopram, a serotonin reuptake inhibitor and nortriptyline, a noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor . SNRIs are another commonly prescribed class of medication and have modest weight gain potential. The potential for any one antidepressant to cause weight gain varies significantly from person to person. It's worth noting the limitations of the study, including a lack of concrete data on whether medications were dispensed or taken as prescribed, and the low overall medication adherence over the follow-up period. However, the study noted a low adherence to medications, ranging from 28% for duloxetine to 41% for bupropion at the six-month mark. Six months after starting the treatment, weight gain was higher for those on escitalopram, paroxetine, duloxetine, and venlafaxine compared to sertraline. Researchers in Iran conducted a study, exploring the potential of fluoxetine (Prozac) as a potential weight management drug. By doing this, the medication makes it easier for people taking it to eat less food without feeling hunger. The main way Wellbutrin supports weight loss is by controlling appetite.