Zoloft and Weight Gain/Loss

[faeryonthegate]

I am 26/Female, 5'4", and weight about 145 pounds. I just started on Zoloft to help with some anxiety issues I have been having. My goal is to lose about 10 pounds just for my health. I am worried about gaining weight on Zoloft and can't seem to find an answer as to whether it is the medicine that makes you gain weight, or mentally feeling better that makes you eat more and you gain weight.

Can you address this please? Thank you!

[sunshine1976]

I have also read about the weight gain with Zoloft when I started taking it for my PMDD.  My doctor suggested uping my B vitimins to help with my energy & metabolism.  I have been taking a B-100 once a day with the zoloft & have still been able to lose weight.  
Hope that helps.

Sunshine

[cjpietrz]

Hi there :)

I've done a LOT of research on anti-depressants/anti-anxiety drugs and weight gain/weight loss.  To answer your question, it can be both.  Weight gain only happens in about 25% of people taking antidepressant meds.  This can be due to feeling better/enjoying food more and/or from changes in metabolism/appetite as a side effect of the meds.

Personallly, I gained a lot of weight on a certain medication, but have had no changes in weight with others, and the one that I'm taking now has actually helped me to lose weight.  Everybody is different.  Just pay attention to your body.  I've found it very helpful to keep a food journal and rate hunger/fullness at each meal to keep track of symptoms.  

Hope this helps :)

Christina

[faeryonthegate]

Hi! Thank you both for responding. I am very hopeful that I will be able to lose about 10 pounds. I started the food tracker and weight tracker on this site, and it's been helpful so far!!! The virtual scale is as scary as a real scale!!! :)
I am a teacher so it is very hard to fit everything I am supposed to do for my body in especially in August, so I'm just going to have to make it work! Thank you for your post!