Why did I gain so much weight on Zoloft?

Antidepressants may cause weight gain by interfering with serotonin or histamine neurotransmitters in the brain that control appetite. Some antidepressants may cause drowsiness or fatigue that lower levels of activity, leading to weight gain.


Can Zoloft cause rapid weight gain?

Antipsychotic drugs, antidepressants , and mood stabilizers are common drugs that have the most potential to increase weight gain. All 12 of the leading antidepressants, including fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and escitalopram (Lexapro), make gaining weight more likely.

How can I stop gaining weight on Zoloft?

Maintain your normal eating habits.

Sertraline may affect your appetite, causing you to feel less satisfied by food than normal. To minimize weight gain, try to maintain your previous eating habits, such as food choices, portion sizes and meal timing.


Does Zoloft slow metabolism?

It is possible antidepressants slow metabolism, but most research indicates that this is not the case. It's more likely that antidepressants increase appetite rather than slow down metabolism.

Will stopping Zoloft cause weight loss?

If you decrease your daily calorie intake as a result, you could potentially lose weight by stopping your antidepressants. On the other hand, if you experience loss of appetite with depression, and your depression comes back after stopping antidepressants, you may also lose weight.


Does Zoloft cause weight gain? | FNP Explains | Chat and Chill



What is it like coming off Zoloft?

Zoloft withdrawal often feels like a sudden drop in serotonin and most patients experience mild to moderate symptoms. You might experience nausea, headaches, dizziness, and irritability. The severity of the symptoms and how long the symptoms will last varies.

Will my weight go back to normal after stopping antidepressants?

After the medication is stopped

So if weight gain is caused by the medication, then weight loss should follow its discontinuation. And it does, for many people: Once the medication is out of the body, normal appetite returns, fatigue diminishes, and the patient returns to eating and exercising normally.

Do antidepressants slow metabolism?

Antidepressants may affect metabolism, causing the body to burn calories more slowly.


What foods to avoid with sertraline?

Eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice may therefore increase both the effectiveness and the adverse effects of sertraline. People taking sertraline should not consume grapefruit without medical supervision.

Which antidepressants cause the most weight gain?

The antidepressants linked to the most weight gain include:
  • tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline (brand name Elavil), and nortriptyline (Pamelor, Aventyl)
  • monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as phenelzine (Nardil)
  • tetracyclic antidepressant mirtazapine (Remeron)
  • SSRI paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva)


How to lose weight while on SSRI?

Switching to a Mediterranean diet - one which includes fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and fish - may not only reverse the weight gain caused by your antidepressant but also help to treat the symptoms of your depression.


Can you take Zoloft without gaining weight?

Shorter-term treatment in adults usually does not lead to substantial weight gain, but most patients need to take Zoloft for an extended period of time. In children, weight loss has been reported with Zoloft possibly due to side effects like nausea or loss of appetite.

How do you not gain weight on antidepressants?

In addition to talking to your physician, there are other steps that you can take to lessen weight gain that might be caused by antidepressants. Diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes may help you manage your weight effectively as you continue to treat your symptoms of depression.

Has anyone gained weight on Zoloft?

While taking Zoloft, many users have noticed an increase in their weight. At least 25% of Zoloft users gain at least 10 pounds after taking the drug. According to a study, this is more likely to happen with long-term use of the drug (6 months or more).


Why am I gaining so much weight on antidepressants?

Antidepressants interfere with serotonin, the neurotransmitter that regulates anxiety and mood while also controlling appetite. In particular, these changes may increase cravings for carbohydrate-rich foods, such as bread, pasta, and desserts.

Does SSRI weight gain go away?

Once they start taking an antidepressant, however, they begin to feel better and as a result, their appetite may come back, they may eat more, and eventually return to their previous weight.

Which antidepressants cause the most weight gain?

The antidepressants linked to the most weight gain include:
  • tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline (brand name Elavil), and nortriptyline (Pamelor, Aventyl)
  • monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as phenelzine (Nardil)
  • tetracyclic antidepressant mirtazapine (Remeron)
  • SSRI paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva)


How much weight gain is normal on antidepressants?

How much weight gain is typical? A quarter of those who take antidepressants gain 10 pounds or more, Naidoo estimates.

What is the best SSRI that doesn't cause weight gain?

Of the SSRIs, fluoxetine (Prozac) is least likely to cause weight gain.

Do antidepressants cause permanent weight gain?

Researchers at King's College London found that all twelve of the leading antidepressants — including fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and escitalopram (Lexapro) — increased risk for weight gain for up to six years after starting treatment.


How do I reset my metabolism after antidepressants?

Some people may struggle with returning to pre-treatment weight after they stop taking antidepressants. Reasons for consideration include sleep pattern changes, food intake, and decreased muscle mass. Starting a new type of physical activity may help accelerate weight loss.

Does SSRI slow metabolism?

Antidepressants commonly affect the neurotransmitter known as serotonin, which is responsible for helping your digestive system. This interference with your levels of serotonin could potentially slow down the rate that your body processes fat and sugar and/or increase your desire for foods high in carbohydrates.

Will my weight go back to normal after stopping antidepressants?

After the medication is stopped

So if weight gain is caused by the medication, then weight loss should follow its discontinuation. And it does, for many people: Once the medication is out of the body, normal appetite returns, fatigue diminishes, and the patient returns to eating and exercising normally.


Can I wean myself off sertraline?

It's important that you do not stop taking antidepressants suddenly. A dose of antidepressants should be slowly reduced, normally over 4 weeks, but sometimes longer. This is to prevent any withdrawal symptoms you might get as a reaction to coming off antidepressants suddenly.

Is it OK to take antidepressants for life?

For people with chronic or severe depression, medication may be needed on a long-term basis. In these cases, antidepressants are often taken indefinitely. That is, in part, because depression is not an illness that can be cured.
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