ssri weight gain

[NMartin]

I have been on a ssri for about five yesars. While on Effexor I had some weight gain after my pcp upped the dose to help with hot flashes. I titrated myself back down and was having slow but moderate weight gain. (10-15 lbs over 5 years). Six months ago I switched to Paxil for insurance reasons. I have since gained anoth 15 to 20 lbs. I am not sure if this is due to meds or menapause. I am on phasing myself off of the paxil and trying to go without because the weight gain is causing more depression than the depression was causing! What can I do to fix my metqabolism.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

You should ask your doctor about switching you to prozac...it works, insurance will cover it, and there is no weight gain.

[Paxiled]

It's the Paxil -- big weight gainer!  All of these meds for depression can cause weight gain, and it has nothing to do with normal metabolism.  I exercised a lot and didn't eat any more, and gained 50 pounds over a period of years.  You'll see reports of it with any antidepressant.  You have to decide what's more important, feeling good or looking good if you're of the ones who experiences weight gain.

Increased the dose for hot flashes?  Now that's a quack.