Which SSRIs are LEAST likely to cause weight gain?

[3*is*magic]

I am currently on Paxil, and have been since August. I am like a whole new person, on a low dose (10 mg) - less anxiety, less anger, less frazzled. But I have gained 14 lbs. I am only 4'11", so 14 lbs on my frame is a LOT. I'd like to switch to an SSRI that has less of a reputation for weight gain and see if I can get my weight back down. Any suggestions or BTDT advice?

[LifeIZBeautiful]

i switched from paxil to effexor and lost the weight i gained from the first.

[3*is*magic]

Thanks, I'll check effexor out!

Any other thoughts?

[AnyMama]

I think Lexapro and Zoloft cause less weight gain issues than Paxil (it can be an issue with any SSRI). Both are also very commonly used when anxiety is an issue

Just a word of warning, Effexor is not an SSRI, and anxiety can be a side effect. It's also very difficult to wean off of (but so is Paxil, so you're just going to have to deal there). I'd try lexapro first because it's so much less likely to cause as many side effects and gets great marks for anxiety.

[frontierpsych]

My psychiatrist actually refused to let me try Welbutrin because it is known for causing weight loss (I'm borderline underweight). I believe it is available OTC, too.

[Kaitnbugsmom]

I am looking at wellbutrin due to the no weight gain aspect. I had a script for it once before but it got left out in the car and the info sheet says it's no good once exposed to the heat/elements.

[mom0810]

You should just be aware that wellbutrin can add to anxiety if that is a problem for you.

[angelcat]

I'm losing weight on prozac.

[sadean]

I just started Lexapro about a month and a half ago and have not had weight gain issues. However, I specifically talked to my doctor when we were deciding which drug to use and she believes that weight gain issues are caused by people eating more when they get their appetite back. I don't know if I buy it, as my appetite has not changed significantly between December when I started the medicine and now, but I have also been trying to really watch what I eat and my portion sizes. I think I have lost a few pounds, which is not a bad thing (I am about 50 pounds overweight).

I don't have any experience with other depression/anxiety medications, so take that for what it is worth.

[elizaMM]

When I'm not on meds I have anxiety with my depression.

I tried many SSRIs and they all made me tired. Effexor was better, but I still had this nagging difficulty concentrating under stress, which sounds like anxiety to me. But Wellbutrin made it all melt away. And I lost the 10lbs I'd gained on Zoloft that I'd kept while on Effexor alone.

Wellbutrin is definitely the best for avoiding weight gain, but its not an SSRI, and it could cause other problems, but its worth a cautious try.

good luck!!

[AnyMama]

I know you're getting a lot of suggestions for Welbutrin, but I just want to caution you about this drug. If Paxil is working well for your depression, Welbutrin may not help you. It targets a different brain chemical. Yes, it causes weight loss rather than gain, but it also is well known for causing anxiety. It should not be a first choice for someone with anxiety unless the SSRIs don't work, and you say they are working. Look at the SSRIs first, especially if Paxil did the trick, if there is no good option, you might try an SNRI like Effexor that targets both brain chemicals.

[carfreemama]

I am on Celexa for anxiety and depression. It is working amazingly well. I, too, am borderline underweight and I was told that Celexa more often than not causes weight loss, due to loss of appetite. I think I have slightly experienced the loss of appetite; but I actually enjoy food more, due to better mood, I think, so so far my weight is stable. I was worried about going on Celexa because I didn't think I could psychologically tolerate weight gain and I had heard Celexa could cause this; but my psychiatrist says people more often lose than gain. I'm embarrassed to say this, but I'm not sure whether Celexa is an SSRI! I thought I was an informed patient! Going to look up my meds. Good luck!

[moonmama22]

I was going to ask about Celexa - but then I saw the pp. My doctor recommended it, but I turned it down. I have had a couple of weeks with not much anxiety, so didnt' take her up on the prescription offer, but today was a pretty bad day, so I am rethinking that. I definately don't need to put on any more weight - I am trying desperately to lose some.

[Autumn Breeze]

Lexapro was alright for me.

Wellbutrin, I didn't get to stay on long enough to notice that effect (though I could stand to lose like 6-10 lbs) because it dramatically increased my irritability in to aggression.

[moonmama22]

What are the side effects of Celexa? I just got a prescription that I am supposed to pick up today - but now I am rethingking it. It says not to take my migraine medication with the Celexa, so I don't know what I would do if I got a migraine. Also - is Celexa for anxiety as well as depression? That is definately my main issue.

[Autumn Breeze]

your pharmacist can answer the migraine med question for you. And your psychiatrist should know about your migraine meds, if they don't, call them back, and see if they'll prescribe something else for you.

If you didn't see a psychiatrist for the anti-depressant, then I highly suggest you do before you pick up your script. General practice doctors aren't usually the greatest at treating for mental health. (Kind of like most OB's and breastfeeding, they don't have enough training)

[elizaMM]

Originally Posted by moonmama22

.... is Celexa for anxiety as well as depression? That is definately my main issue.

I've been told anxiety is a "part" of depression. And that has felt true, at times. Its something we could talk books about. To WAY-over-simplify it: Depressed brains are unhappy, and being unhappy makes it really easy to worry.

(Hopefully somebody else can answer that better than I.)

But in short: Yes, Celexa should help your anxiety.

[AnyMama]

sometimes anxiety is a part of depression, but not always. They do go together a lot though, and many times an SSRI will be an affective treatment for anxiety, but then again, not always.