Johns Hopkins Health Alert
Managing Your Weight on Antidepressants
While recovery from mood disorders such as anxiety and depression can be lifesaving, weight gain often can be an unwanted side effect of treatment for many people. In this Health Alert, Johns Hopkins provides nine practical strategies to head off unwanted weight gain.
Psychiatric medications including antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and antipsychotics may increase weight by stimulating the appetite or slowing the body's metabolism, and that gain can range from minimal (a few pounds) to significant (up to 50 pounds).
Such rapid weight gain may increase the risk of many health conditions associated with being overweight, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and some types of cancer. Despite the fact that many psychiatric medications have weight gain as a side effect, that does not mean it's a fait accompli. Be aware of the potential for weight gain and follow these strategies to head off extra pounds:
- Weight Loss Strategy 1: Weigh yourself weekly and keep a diary of your weight so you can notice small increases quickly and take steps to counter further gains. Also keep a food diary for an accurate gauge of how much you're really eating on a daily basis.
- Weight Loss Strategy 2: Avoid or limit high-calorie, high-fat foods.
- Weight Loss Strategy 3: Eat smaller portions -- and smaller meals and snacks overall.
- Weight Loss Strategy 4: Don't keep large quantities of junk foods in your home. If you need to snack, choose healthy foods such as fresh fruit or vegetables or unbuttered popcorn.
- Weight Loss Strategy 5: Eat slowly. Many people eat too quickly -- the brain needs about 20 minutes to recognize that the stomach is full , so if you eat too fast, you'll be apt to consume more calories than you need to satisfy your hunger.
- Weight Loss Strategy 6: Don't skip meals. Going for long periods of time without food only serves to make you hungrier in the long term and more likely to overeat once you do eat.
- Weight Loss Strategy 7: Exercise every day to counteract any extra calories you're consuming and give a boost to your metabolism. Try resistance training and aerobic exercise. To build muscle, lift weights or use resistance machines three times a week.
- Weight Loss Strategy 8: Drink frequently. Hunger is one of the symptoms of dehydration, so quench your thirst with calorie-free beverages such as water, seltzer, diet soda, and decaffeinated coffee and tea.
- Weight Loss Strategy 9: If all else fails, talk to your healthcare provider about switching to a medication that is less likely to cause weight gain or adding another one that might help avoid weight gain. Don't stop taking your medication without discussing it with your doctor, as your depression or anxiety may return or you may experience withdrawal side effects.
Posted in Depression and Anxiety on October 29, 2008
Medical Disclaimer: This information is not intended to substitute for the advice of a physician. Click here for additional information: Johns Hopkins Health Alerts Disclaimer
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I didn't gain on Elavil and at that time it was the best on the market for me. I switched to Paxil years later and that really did well. I was put on Lexapro and that has been the best for me over all. I never gained much, if any, weight on any of the antidepressants I've been prescribed.
Posted by: classy67stang | March 16, 2009 6:27 PM
What I find worse about taking anti-depressants is the loss of my sex drive. It is great to feel calmer and more in control, but satisfying sex is rare now, NOT due to my husband. I used to love sex. Now I just approach it as pleasant but will probably not climax. It's a real bummer.
Posted by: Dancer | August 6, 2009 12:27 AM
I've taken about every anti-depressant and found the ONLY one that does NOT hurt your sex drive is Wellbutron. It actually helps you lose weight and gives your sex drive a boost. Give it a try and see if it works for you. Only problem is to make sure that U take it in the morning because if you take it later in the day, U will not sleep that well. My psychiatrist prescribed it with a small dose of Xanax at bedtime and it made everything just fine.
Posted by: catkiss | February 3, 2010 8:30 AM
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When I was taking Elavil it worked very well for me. I felt better and was able to sleep well; but gained about 45lbs. and the bigger I got, the worse my blood pressure was and My self- esteem went down hill due to the fact that friends and family started commenting about my weight. So I stopped and my weight went down 30lbs. in about 6 months. I do miss the sleep but my blood pressure is great. I wish it did not have that side effect. The doctor is still trying to find something that works for me.
Posted by: chispy | February 17, 2009 12:27 PM