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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Paxil and Weight Gain
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD) , bipolar disorder , dementia , electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) , learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) , panic , personality disorders, phobias , post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) , schizophrenia , stress , transitions, and work problems.
Paxil and Weight Gain
by pitterpatdog, Jul 29, 2009 01:25PM
I have been on Paxil for about 9 years now and have noticed a slow increase in my weight. I do drink 5 - 6 glasses of red wine per week, so I haven't been sure if the weight gain is from alcohol, or from Paxil. One thing I have directly related to Paxil is my increased hunger. I am always hungery and it is really irritating. I am very lucky that I have only gained 10-15 lbs and am still at a healthy weight for my 5'2 frame (124 lbs) but it ***** being hungry all the time and having extra weight! My doctor told me that weight gain is a side effect of Paxil so I am going to try Zoloft. I have an anxeity disorder that triggers OCD and Paxil has worked very very well and given me a great life since being on it. I figure I should try something different to see if it helps the weight gain and if Zoloft doesn't work, or help me to lose the weight then I will have to cut off the wine and go back on Paxil. Suffering from Anxiety *****, but I would take the weight gain over feeling freaky all the time! I will check back after a few months of being on Zoloft to report on the changes.
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Jul 29, 2009 08:15PM
, Jul 29, 2009 08:15PMTo: pitterpatdog
That sounds like very good solution. You might ask your doctor for Prozac since that is the only antidepressant that does not cause weight gain.
Member Comments (2)
by Paxiled, Jul 29, 2009 05:38PM
Keep in mind you could gain weight on Zoloft or any ssri, and your weight gain on Paxil has been minimal -- I gained 50 pounds over several years on it. And be careful going off it, it can be difficult. Do it slowly and carefully.
