Antidepressants that make you lose weight

Wellbutrin and Prozac have been linked to weight loss.

Antidepressants that make you lose weight, Many people with depression have worked hard to cure their condition by going to therapy and taking antidepressants. Side effects associated with antidepressants include weight gain and weight loss, although this is not a side effect of all medications used to treat depression.

However, all side effects, including weight-related side effects, depend entirely on how your body reacts to a medication. You may not notice any weight change or swing in the opposite direction than usual, regardless of the medication you are taking. For some people, weight fluctuation is only temporary.

Weight-related side effects of antidepressants
Weight changes are among the reported side effects of antidepressants. While everyone’s reaction is different, some antidepressants are more associated with weight loss, while others are associated with weight gain.

Antidepressants and weight loss.

Antidepressants associated with weight loss include Prozac (fluoxetine) and Wellbutrin (bupropion). People taking Effexor (venlafaxine) can lose weight rapidly and, in a 10-year study, Effexor was associated with lower-than-average weight gain.

A link implies a statistical association, so it cannot predict individual outcomes. In other words, these antidepressants are associated with weight loss, but they are not antidepressants that cause weight loss every time. In addition, the weight loss effects sometimes disappear after a few months of taking antidepressants. Best Antidepressants that make you lose weight

Prozac is an SSRI. Effexor is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). Wellbutrin is an atypical antidepressant that does not alter serotonin levels in the brain. Instead, it uniquely alters other brain chemicals, such as norepinephrine and dopamine. This phenomenon is associated not only with weight loss, but also with improved sexual function.

However, Wellbutrin may not be right for everyone. This is especially true for people with a history of seizures or eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia.

Like all antidepressants, Wellbutrin, Prozac and Effexor have a black box warning. This is an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and acts in children, adolescents and young adults during the early stages of treatment.

Antidepressants and weight gain.

Weight gain while taking an antidepressant is complicated. Research has been done on the interaction between brain chemicals, antidepressants, and hormones that can lead to weight gain, but more studies are needed. Types of Antidepressants that make you lose weight

One study found that about 65% of people taking antidepressants gained weight. Another noted that weight gain can be an “important cause” for stopping treatment within the first two months.

However, not all antidepressants have this side effect. Research shows that weight gain is primarily related to some antidepressants:

Paxil (paroxetine) and Celexa (citalopram): selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
Elavil (amitriptyline) – a tricyclic antidepressant
Remeron (mirtazapine) – an atypical antidepressant
Nardyl (phenelzine): monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI).
Weight gain associated with other antidepressants, if it occurs, is usually short-lived. In addition, individual factors appear to play a role. In other words, it is difficult to predict who will gain weight on certain antidepressants because so many variables come into play.

Antidepressants that do not cause weight loss or weight gain.
Some antidepressants appear to be weight neutral (not associated with weight gain or weight loss). These include Trintellix (vortioxetine), Manerix (moclobemide), Pristiq (desvenlafaxine), and trazodone.

Why do antidepressants affect weight?

One of the reasons antidepressants can cause weight changes is that some of these medications affect appetite pathways. Antidepressants that cause weight loss may do so by decreasing appetite. Antidepressants that cause weight loss may do so by decreasing appetite. Those that cause weight gain may, conversely, stimulate appetite.

Depression itself can also affect activity level, food choices, and sleep patterns, all of which affect weight. Then, as the drug begins to reduce feelings of depression, those behaviors may change as well. As these behaviors change, you may gain or lose weight.
Your family history may also affect how your weight changes while taking an antidepressant. For example, one study showed that a family history of obesity predicts weight gain while taking this type of medication.

Choose an antidepressant
Treating your depression is critical to your mental health and well-being. Your physical appearance and health are also important. Talk frankly with your doctor about treating depression, as there are many options. In general, it is best to avoid making a decision based on weight-related side effects, as they can be unpredictable and even temporary. Most effective Antidepressants that make you lose weight

It is often difficult to know which antidepressant will work best for you. Sometimes it takes trial and error to find a medication that works and does not cause uncontrollable side effects. Always discuss your treatment with your doctor (never stop taking your antidepressant without your doctor’s approval).

Preventing weight loss or gain when taking antidepressants
If you are concerned about weight-related side effects, talk to your doctor about changes you can make to your diet and physical activity. These can also improve your emotional and mental health. Often, a combination of medication and a healthy lifestyle is the best treatment plan for depression.

Exercise
Whether you want to lose weight, reduce the weight-related side effects of your antidepressant, maintain or gain weight, exercise can help. And you can start slowly. Walking, stretching and moderate-intensity resistance training can be beneficial.

Most important is regularity. Physical activity guidelines for Americans suggest getting at least 150-300 minutes a week of moderate-intensity exercise for health benefits. That’s 30-60 minutes, five days a week, of any exercise you enjoy, from biking to swimming, tennis and yoga.

Diet
A diet rich in whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats, can help you control your weight. But it can also help improve your mood, as there is a link between diet and depression.

Try making small swaps and changes every few days or every week. If you’re used to drinking fruit juices, for example, opt for water and whole fruits; you’ll consume less sugar and more satiating fiber. Another way to get more fiber is to eat whole grains (such as whole wheat bread) instead of refined grains.

Antidepressants as a weight loss aid.
If you do not have depression, antidepressants are not recommended for weight loss. Studies have shown that taking these medications for this purpose has negligible results.

There is no evidence that they help with weight loss any more than diet and exercise alone.

Can Prozac make you lose weight? Yes. But it is better to lose weight by eating nutritious foods and exercising regularly rather than trying a “Prozac weight loss diet.”

If weight loss is your main concern, talk to your doctor about the best way to reach your weight loss goal. Some prescription medications are approved for the treatment of obesity, including Contrave.

Contrave is a combination of bupropion (the active ingredient in the antidepressant Wellbutrin) and naltrexone (which is also used to treat some substance use disorders). Research has shown it to be quite effective, well tolerated and safe. As with many medications used for weight loss, it is generally used in conjunction with a calorie-restricted diet and exercise program.

A word from the DNP SHOP
Treating depression requires patience and resilience to find the right plan, but it is possible. While antidepressants can cause weight loss or weight gain, you can take steps to optimize your physical and mental health. Your efforts in one area will support the other.

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