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Antidepressants and weight gain What causes it

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Can antidepressants cause weight gain

Answer From Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M.D. Weight gain is a possible side effect of nearly all antidepressants. However, each person responds to antidepressants differently. Some people gain weight when taking a certain antidepressant, while others don't. Generally speaking, some antidepressants seem more likely to cause weight gain than others. These include: Certain tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, imipramine (Tofranil) and doxepin Certain monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), such as phenelzine (Nardil) Paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva), a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) Mirtazapine (Remeron), which is an atypical antidepressant - medication that doesn't fit neatly into another antidepressant category While some people gain weight after starting an antidepressant, the antidepressant isn't always a direct cause. Many factors can contribute to weight gain during antidepressant therapy. For example: Overeating or inactivity as a result of depression can cause weight gain. Some people lose weight as part of their depression. In turn, an improved appetite associated with improved mood may result in increased weight. Adults generally tend to gain weight as they age, regardless of the medications they take. If you gain weight after starting an antidepressant, discuss the medication's benefits and side effects with your doctor. If the benefits outweigh the side effect of weight gain, consider managing your weight by eating healthier and getting more physical activity while enjoying an improved mood due to the medication. You can also ask your doctor if adjusting the dose or switching medications might be helpful - but again, be sure to discuss the pros and cons before making such a decision. With Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M.D. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form.

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Antidepressants and alcohol: What's the concern?Antidepressants: Can they stop working? ShareTweet Nov. 17, 2018 Show references Gafoor R, et al. Antidepressant utilisation and incidence of weight gain during 10 years' follow-up: Population based cohort study. BMJ. 2018;361:k1951. Hirsch M, et al. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors: Pharmacology, administration, and side effects. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Oct. 8, 2018. Simon G. Unipolar major depression in adults: Choosing initial treatment. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Oct. 8, 2018. Preventing weight gain. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/prevention/index.html. Accessed Oct. 8, 2018. Lee SH, et al. Is increased antidepressant exposure a contributory factor to the obesity pandemic? Translational Psychiatry. 2016;6:e759. Carvalho AF, et al. The safety, tolerability and risks associated with the use of newer generation antidepressant drugs: A critical review of the literature. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics. 2016;85:270. Arterburn D, et al. Long-term weight change after initiating second-generation antidepressants. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2016;5:48. Tarleton EK, et al. Primer for nutritionists: Managing the side effects of antidepressants. Clinical Nutrition ESPEN. 2016;15:126. Himmerich H, et al. Weight gain and metabolic changes during treatment with antipsychotics and antidepressants. Endocrine, Metabolic and Immune Disorders - Drug Targets. 2015;15:252. Krieger CA (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Oct. 17, 2018. Hall-Flavin DK (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Oct. 22, 2018. See more Expert Answers

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Antidepressants and weight gain What causes it? Mayo Clinic