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Wednesday, September 09, 2009 Mizuki asks

Q: Can Zoloft cause weight gain?

My sister and I are both on the generic brand of Zoloft, I gradually gained weight when I went on it, but I accounted it for my stopping of competative swimming. However, she has been gaining weight a bit faster than I was and says she has many food cravings. Could this be a side effect of the medication?

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9/ 9/09 5:19pm

Zoloft is prescribed for anxiety and depression. The official line from clinical trials is that zoloft is not related to weight gain. Weight gain during depression isn't uncommon but, as your posting suggests, this is often related to inactivity and changes in dietary habits that frequently accompany depression.

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9/12/09 1:55pm

I have chosen not to take anti-depressants any more because I have found that they all cause weight gain.  The best medicine for depression is exercise. A recent study that was conducted with three groups has shown that exercise reduces depression more than any thing else.  The first group exercised 3 x weekly, the second group exercised 3 x weekly and took and antidepressant, and the third group took just an antidepressant.  The first group had the highest level of succes with their depression symptoms over the other two groups. I watched a PBS special about happiness recently and found the whole program very helpful  Look up the PBS network in your area and find out when that program is airing, you will find it very helpful for your depression symptoms.

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