weight gain & meds

Im on 25 mg of zoloft now, I just switched. I was on effexxor 75mg for 3years and cymbalt for a few months. Ive gained  20 pds. No matter what I do, I cant lose it. I eat right and work out. I also take toperal xl for svt? any suggestions


thx

[M4Y0U]

Hello there,

Depression is often associated with weight gain or weight lose. There are some reasons for that. The scientific reason must be that anti-depressants change how fat is stored by changing chemicals in the brain.

Weight gain is one of the most common side effects associated with many anti-depressants prescribed today.

Simply reporting that weight gain occurs with the use of a medication is not enough.

Here are a few common reasons for weight gain

* Changes in how body fat is stored caused by changing brain chemicals in the hypothalamus (of the brain).
* Excessive appetite-probably caused by a blockade of the histamine receptors.
* Decreased calorie expenditure (moving more slowly).
* Improvement in the condition that was keeping the weight down (depression).

In my opinion, weight issues have not been a topic of focus since the side effect such as weight gain is hard to measure against the immediate effects of the medication that is treating the actual condition.

Since you already said that you are doing pysical activity and eating a healthy diet then what can be done about weight gain due to antidepressant?

* Ask your doctor whether a blood test might help determine whether a lower dose of a antidepressant might be as effective, since increased appetite is less problematic at lower doses.

* Let your doctor know about your concerns, and be sure to find out whether he/she can prescribe an equally effective alternative.

Please note that i'm not a doctor and those are only suggestion and i strongly suggest you talk about this to you doctor.

Best regards,
M4

[cj29]

Do you only gain weight while you are on medications like these?  For me, I cut out all soda and focused on eating right and was actually lucky to lose weight while on Zoloft.  Could you see a nutritionist or talk more with your doctor about it?  In my experience, quite often we may think we are eating really healthy when we really are not...there are so many 'hidden' calories, fats, etc. out there...keep us posted!