These Are the 3 Popular Antidepressants Likely to Cause Weight Gain

Certain antidepressants are more likely to cause weight gain. And in some cases up to 15%.

A new study published in Annals of Internal Medicine followed nearly 200,000 patients for two years, tracking their antidepressant use and weight. The researchers compared their risk of weight gain with users of sertraline, better known as Zoloft.

“Compared with that for sertraline, estimated 6-month weight gain was greater for escitalopram, paroxetine, duloxetine, venlafaxine, and citalopram; similar for fluoxetine; and lower for bupropion,” the study results stated. “Escitalopram, paroxetine, and duloxetine were associated with a 10% to 15% greater risk of gaining at least 5% of baseline body weight, while bupropion was associated with a 15% reduced risk.”

Escitalopram, paroxetine, and duloxetine are generic names for popular drugs known as Lexapro, Paxil, and Cymbalta. Additionally, venlafaxine is commonly known as Effexor XR and fluoxetine is known as Prozac, while bupropion is commonly known as Zyban or Wellbutrin.

Image of the popular antidepressants Paxil and Lexapro.

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“Many patients are concerned about weight gain while taking antidepressants,” said Joshua Petimar, assistant professor of population medicine at Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute and lead author of the study. The New York Times.

He added that weight gain can cause people to stop taking their antidepressants, which he said “can lead to a number of adverse outcomes such as an increased risk of hospitalization or symptom recurrence.”

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According to the Mayo Clinic, “Antidepressants may not cure depression, they may reduce symptoms.”

Those symptoms can include “persistent sadness, depressed mood, decreased interest in previously enjoyable activities, and other symptoms that interfere with the ability to function in daily life,” according to Verywell Mind, which adds that 20% of U.S. adults have been diagnosed with depression.

Although most participants were overweight or obese at the start of the study, times adds that the study showed “some level of weight gain” among all those taking antidepressants.

Stock image of Zoloft.

Jb Reed/Bloomberg via Getty

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According to the Mayo Clinic, “weight gain is a possible side effect of almost all antidepressants. However, each person responds differently to antidepressants. Some people gain weight when taking a certain antidepressant, while others do not.”

But if you see an improvement in your mental health, the Clinic recommends that you “consider managing your weight by eating healthier and exercising more while enjoying the improved mood from medication.”

If you or someone you know needs mental health help, text “STRENGTH” to the text crisis line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education