Zoloft

[Spektrocia]

Hello. I have been working to get down to my ideal weight for several months now, and I am doing very well. However, my doctor prescribed me Zoloft today to treat my anxiety, and even though I addressed the issue of weight gain with her and she told me that I would need to watch my carbs and exercise consistently, I am quite worried about gaining back the weight I've lost (almost 20 lbs). Does anyone have any personal stories that can help me with the dilemma of taking or not taking the medication?

[wutthechris]

It all comes down to calories in vs. calories out.  Continue to monitor your food intake as you've been doing and exercise regularly.

[Spektrocia]

I understand that, but zoloft lowers your metabolism and changes the metabolism of carbohydrates from what I have found in looking it up. I'm just wondering if anybody has been on it, and if so, what happened in the case of weight loss or gain, and what habits changed or stayed the same that may have allowed the medication to cause the effects.

[messinet]

I was on Zoloft for awhile.  It actually made me lose my appetite, so I ending up losing about 20-25lbs. while on it.  It all depends on your body chemistry and how the drug will react.  There's a few other people i know that lost weight while on the meds.  Good luck.

[pakita81144]

I have been taking zoloft for almost four years now.  Boy!! did I gain a ton of weight.  I coudn't take it off no matter what I do.  A few months ago, I stopped taking the drug and actually saw a weight loss so I know that it was the drugs that were making me gain weight.  Unfortunately, I have recently had to start taking them again.  Incidently, I gained all the weight again.  I guess you have to just decide if you'd rather be a thin, sad person or a happy, fat person.

[tadbad107]

I have been taking zoloft for 3 1/2 years and have gained at least 40 lbs during that time.  It took me a long time to realize it was the drug.  I just assumed I wasn't watching my diet close enough, or not exercising hard enough.  After going from a size 6 to a 14, I joined a weight loss program, after stringently following the program for 12 weeks, I actually gained 2 lbs!  This past April, I went off the zoloft, (properly tapering).  I've not had any side effects from going off the meds, except that I still can't lose any wieght, although I don't believe I've gained anymore.  I was taking it to prevent headaches, and actually have had fewer headaches since stopping the med.  But I would llove to hear if anyone is able to lose weight after quitting the meds, and how?   (I would question your need for the drug with your doctor if you notice a small weight gain.  Please don't wait until 40 lbs later.  I wasn't depressed before, but this is certainly depressing now.

[jo751]

Hi. I have been reading all your notes about zoloft and weight loss. I am relatively skinny to begin with and I have recently lost 9 lbs. since I have been taking zoloft (four months).  I consulted my prescribing dr. and my primary physician both claim that the zoloft should be weight neutral and that there is another cause for the weight loss...which has me more worried. I am the skinniest I have been since jr. high. Most of my clothes hang on me and people ask me what is wrong...I look sick, etc. I have had no other changes to my diet or exercise plan. The weight seems to be dropping faster than it did at first. Any insight?

[eronski]

Hi I have been on Zoloft for 5 weeks and have lost weight.  I was and am quite concerned about weight gain too.  I am very small and a couple of pounds makes a big difference on me.  

Some people say it changes your body chemistry but I have been told that is impossible that it is mostly a change in appetite.  I have also been told craving sweets is common.

I do crave sweets a bit but I am very aware of what I am eating and keep a journal so if I gain any weight I will know and then will be able to make a change.  Weigh yourself often, keep a journal and don't panic if you start to crave something because it will pass.  Many people don't gain weight and instead they loose so try not to worry to much.  If you start to gain weight and you are having problems you can change your meds, you have lots of options.  If you are able to loose 20lbs (great job!) on your own surely you will beable to keep yourself from gaining too.  good luck, Erin

[mvroom]

I would suggest just not expecting anything to happen. If you take it assuming that it will increase you appetite, it probably will just because you expect it to (placebo effect). Though it really does have appetite effects sometimes (i started wasting away when I was on it and i only took it for a few weeks before i couldn't handle it anymore. I lost all my muscle mass, it was awful.) sometimes it doesn't do anything. It just depends on how your body will handle the chemistry change. I just wouldn't want you to suddenly gain a bunch of wright as a result of being so scared of it happening. Just don't think about it, and it might end up being a really good thing for you.

[gofiguremt]

Zoloft has more results for weight gain
Effexor has results of weight loss and Paxil
Wellbutrin and Cymbalta have had less complaints of weight gain
****

[Jesska79]

I have just been prescribed zoloft and sure hope i don't gain any weight because i sure don't need nay more than what i already have. But will keep posting within the next few weeks.

[graceface830]

i was on zoloft and gained about 40 pounds.  i weighed 120 and got up to about 160.  i did not exercise at all though or watch my food intake....i had never needed too.  when i got off zoloft, i did lose weight though. honestly, meds effect people so differently though....so there's no way to know how it will effect you without tryinging it.  good luck!!!

[EnglishTeacher1550]

Glad to hear you lost the weight!! Can you shed any light on how long this weight-loss process was and anything special that you did/avoided to drop pounds??  

To anyone:  I'm wondering if this sounds like the Zoloft could be responsible for me gaining weight. I have been on Zoloft since July 2006 and in the past two months I have gained 6 lbs. without changing my eating or exercise habits. I'm a small person with an athletic build - 5' 5" and I normally weigh about 114 lbs. I'm 26 and have been at this weight +/- 3 lbs. since my sophomore year of college (as recently as January, I was at 111 lbs. b/c I wasn't eating much due to stress).  

To be honest, I don't eat super well and don't really do cardio, but losing a few pounds quickly has never been difficult for me (I usually cut back on junk for a few days). In the past month, however, I haven't been able to get rid of this weight. I have a super-fast metabolism that I can't see changing "all of a sudden" on its own. Any thoughts on whether this sounds like an effect of the Zoloft?? I'm tapering now so I hope this helps. Thanks so much!!  

[Li150LammyGirl]

I took Zoloft for 4 and a half months due to panic attacks. Initially I lost weight. Then I gained about 10 lbs by month 4 so I decided enough is enough, especially after reading NUMEROUS blog sites that state prolonged Zoloft use can contribute to an AVERAGE weight gain of 20 - 60 pounds. No thank you. I'd rather be fit and do yoga for stress