Lexapro Weight gain

[mwshallcr]

I posted a while ago about performance anxiety and lexapro. I have recently been reading alot about people gaining alot of weight from this drug. I used to be overweight and this is a big problem if it will cause this. I was wondering if this is a norm or if pretty much everyone gains weight from it. It sucks if it does cause it is really helping with my anxiety. Also how long before the weight starts to go on... I've been on for about 2 weeks and go to the gyma about 5 to lift weights and run. Will this help or is there no hope in stopping the weight gain?

[curious50]

I was able to maintain a 40 lb weight loss for over two years. After only one month on Lexapro I gained 4 pounds. That was enough for me. I stopped the Lexapro and will have to look into some other drug therapy.

[njm2007]

Wow!  I am so happy, in a way, to read all of your comments.  I have been on Lexapro for a little over two years now, and I have gained a whooping 25 pounds!  I can't fit into any of my clothes, and I have not changed my diet or exercise habits.  If anything, I am eating healthier now than I was two years ago.  I had attributed the weight gain to turning 30, but now I am thinking it could definitely be the Lexapro.  A couple of months into taking it, I started feeling drowsy all of the time.  I have never been a "nap-taker," but I quickly became one.  I also experience very vivid nightmares which hinder my sleep at night.  My anxiety is gone, but so is my sex drive...
I am weening myself off starting today!  I am cutting my dosage from 10 mg. to 5 mg. per my doctor...giving it 30 days, and then I am DONE!

[ejl]

I read somewhere that lexapro increases hepatic glucose.  That is why we gain weight.

[erinpl]

I'm so glad to have found this forum.  I have been on Lexapro for 2 years.  Before I went on, I was the slimmest in my life--1 year after my 2nd child,at 27, I was 116 at 5'3".  After about 6 months on Lex, I noticed the weight gain.  I'm now about 2 sizes bigger than before the Lexapro.  My boyfriend was convinced it's from lack of exercize and diet but I haven't changed anything in those areas.  I will now completely wean off this horrible nightmare of a drug.  I'm also not able to concentrate while taking it--it's beginning to affect my work.  Thank you for all your feedback!!

[ALsh]

I've been on celexa for 5 years or so and haven't had any problems, but my Dr. decided I should try something different only because I've been on it for so long.  He recommended lexapro, and I started taking it about 3 weeks ago.  I'm a 5'5" muscular dancer at about 122/123lbs.  In just 3 weeks, I've gained 8lbs without changing a thing about my diet or dance activity...in fact, I actually increased my workout by going to the gym 4 times a week with cardio for 30/40 min each session, but my weight won't budge.  This is NOT my body, if I had ever exercised like this before I would have been stick thin, but this weight just will not give.  I'm going back to celexa this week, not going to sit around and wait for the lbs to pile on (cause what's the point, the extra weight is MAKING me anxious and depressed anyway!)

[jackie barris]

thank u!!!!! i have been on lexapro for about 3 or 4 years now and seem to have been gaining the weight , i just thought  i would do some research and now i know why. thank u all for your comments , i am now going to ween myself off!!