Effexor and Weight Loss/Gain

[Jenlynne]

Has anyone taken Effexor and, if so, did you experience any weight related side-effects.  

I am worried about gaining weight and will not take this medicine until I find out.   I'm just scared because SSRIs cause gain.  Even though this is not an SSRI, it could cause weight gain.

[galvestonmom]

there is now a $4 commitment card you can obtain. Its not on the $4 "list but there is a discount card sponsored by phisor, the maker. I just did mine and was looking for feedback about weight gain and ran accross your post.

EFFEXOR XR® Cost | Co-Pay Program go to www.effexorxr.com/

Find information on the Effexor $4 co-pay program and help lower the cost of your Effecor XR prescription.

[Jacque0627]

My Dr. just started me on effexor today and stated it was a dietary supplement. After reading all these blobs im beginning to get worried. Is there anyone that HASNT gained weight for it?

[Ginger8512]

I've been on Effexor for three weeks and I have lost six pounds.

[fesfes]

please dont take effexor im on that and depikote and i was at 230 pounds now a year later ive dropped down to 160 and keep dropping nomatter how much i eat. ive been to doctors and even hospitalized. please for the love of god im begging you to stay away from this ****

[joscie_g]

I am grateful to have found this site, because I've been wondering how in the world I can eat well, train 5x per week for competitive athletic events and be in the best shape of my life, but still gain weight (and not just through muscle).  I'm not up an extreme amount, but I've gone from a size 8 to 10, and the opposite should have happened with all of the calories I'm burning. I've been on 150 mg of Effexor for 2.5 years now, and that's probably why!!  I really want to get off it, but know how challenging that will be, so I'll take a tapered approach...though I'm very scared of going back into the hole that Effexor so wonderfully helped me out of.  I live in WA, and there just isn't enough sun here for me to feel like my "normal" self.  I probably need to try light therapy or some other alternative.  Most of all I don't want to lose the motivation to keep training.  Any advice is appreciated.  

[smokingloon]

I started on Effexor 150mg XR during the midst of a long bout with depression and my third spin on Rx roulette. My partner and I are very much geared toward healthy living: we hardly drink or go out to eat. Additionally, I have been working out almost every single day, while continuing to eat a balanced diet and increasing my water and fiber consumption. I have gained weight--40 lbs. My sex drive has evaporated. But, I am chemically incapable of feeling bad about myself, which is a positive change, mostly with the help of a great outpatient program and DBT skills, too. I would love to unpack all weight that I've gained. However, my spin on it is that being thinner isn't going to mean anything unless you're happy.

[spm2010]

It won't matter anyways.  I worked out 5 days a week, once with a trainer and I still gained 20 pounds in 3 months.

[spm2010]

I spoke to the ER doctor and he said Effexor is what they give to treat anorexics, it slows down your metabolism to almost nothing.  I've been off it for 3 months and still can't lose the 20 pounds I gained with it even on weight watchers and running 4 days a week.