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MedHelp Member's Question

Gaining weight while on Lexapro

by Martha52, Feb 06, 2007 12:00AM
I have been taking Lexapro for about 2 years.  I am so disgusted with my weight which has increased slowly over the last year.  I have gained about 30 lbs.  Now I have no health insurance and am trying to get off the lexapro by taking 1/2 tablet every day for 7 days then quitting.  My doctor also told me that these tablets don't cause weight gain. I don't eat a lot, I do exercise and try to stay active, but it doesn't help.  I am listless and sometimes get an attitude of I don't care if I eat something I shouldn't.  After reading the forums I see that I am not alone.  Hopefully someone will have some answers as to why this weight gain and how to get off the medication without going crazy with withdrawl.  I dont like being this heavy (180 lbs) HELP
Member Comments (8)

by Martha52, Feb 07, 2007 12:00AM
I was able to have blood tests in December before I lost insurance and all was ok there but high cholesterol and arthrites.

by woozy, Feb 09, 2007 12:00AM
Lexapro causes weight gain. It's one of the worst SSRI's for it. It's a very potent SSRI. One option might supplementing Lexapro with Wellbutrin. Wellbutrin is known to help offset some of the side effects of the SSRIs. I gained 15 pounds though in one year on Lexapro and Wellbutrin,but I also stopped exercising and started eating more junk food. All the SSRIs though can cause lethargy and apathy though. It's pretty common. The "zombie" state..as some refer to it. I'm not really an advocate of SSRIs to be taken continually,unless you have a major depressive disorder.I'm talking suicide attempts and in and out of hospitals..before you ever took an antidepressant. I do take Lexapro for PMS and PMS alone..that means taking it 5-10 days out of the month,only 5 mg..I'm losing weight with that regimen. Talk to your doctor again, and be more insistent. I really hate some psychiatrists, they're just lackeys for the pharmaceutical companies as far as I can tell. Think about it, if they didn't prescribe very much,they wouldn't be making too much money. Hence, thrusting pills into so many people's hands without really,truly evaluating the person. It's the one medical field that profits from prescribing alone..the legal drug pushers..
I doubt you have a thyroid problem..but you can check it out..can't hurt.

by dp101, Feb 10, 2007 12:00AM
WOW, reading your comments on Lexapro is so soothing to me, I have been telling my doctor for four years since she put me on Lexapro I can't loose weight and I swear Lexapro makes me gain weight.  Her answer was when you turn 40 it gets harder and harder to loose weight.  All my life I have been underweight, and when she said I had an anxiety disorder she put me on Lexapro.  What a mistake, I am know 180 pounds and I can't loose a pound.  After working out for three months for seven days a week at 2 hours a day and NOT one pound came off, I knew there was something wrong.  I can't tell you what your comments mean to me!  There has to be another pill that I could take to control my anxiety issues and I'm gonna find out what out what that might be, if anyone has any suggestions -- I'd love to hear from you!  

by dp101, Feb 11, 2007 12:00AM
To: solo_bx
I was mean to you -- in what way!  I was so glad to hear the comments from others that had worked with Lexapro and seen the same results that I did from taking a "Physician Supervised Medication".  I visit with my physician every two months to monitor my progress but I wasn't understanding the weight gain.  When she told me it had to do with my age, I know being 115 pounds since high-school, only gaining 13 pounds with two of my children at my highest weight ---- I knew there was something wrong.  

by Martha52, Feb 11, 2007 12:00AM
To: dp101
Thanks for your input.  I didn't think you were mean to me at all.  It is good to hear that others are having the same problems that I am.  (well, I shouldn't really say good)  The doctors made me feel that I just liked to eat and not watch my foods.  That is untrue, I have battled weight problems all my life and the lexapro sure didn't help me in that department.  I am trying to ween myself from this medication and I hope it helps me to get back on track.  

by Martha52, Feb 11, 2007 12:00AM
Does anyone know if Lexapro and Attarax can cause extreme bloating.  I am completely off the Lexapro now.  But still on the Attarax.  Really bloated all the time.

by LibraryLady2, Aug 29, 2007 09:07AM
Is anyone having success with weight loss after going off Lexapro? I, too, have gained a tremendous amount of weight and can't take it off. I am going off Lexapro now, taking 1/2 tablet every day for three weeks, followed by 1/2 tablet every day for two weeks. I am taking a very low dosage, but my weight gain is just awful -- 90 pounds in about 5 years, and it's going to keep going up, I'm afraid. I would like to hear some success stories and how they were achieved.

by LosingMyMindInGA, Sep 10, 2007 12:42PM
I'd love to hear success stories too.  I was put on lexapro in Nov 05.  Started at 10 mg then 20 mg then eventually a few months ago the doc said 20 mg 2 times per day.  I had worked hard and lost 40 lbs prior to beginning lexapro.  Since starting it I have gained that back plus some and it seems to keep going up.  I was 132 lbs when I started it.  I am now 182. I have completely stopped taking lexapro --it's been about 3 weeks.  I wonder how long it takes to flush out of your system and for the weight to start coming off (if the meds are the prob)????
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