"Will my Antidepressants Make me Gain Weight?" (Part One)

It seems that many of the drugs in the class of SSRI's or "selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors," are capable of causing weight gain with some exceptions which I shall talk about in Part Two of this series.

Less prescribed and also likely to cause weight gain are the older tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline and Tofranil as well as MAO inhibitors like Parnate and Nardil.  Madelyn Fernstrom, an MSNBC Health contributor gives us a reason why this is so:  "Some years ago, I did some studies that showed that tricyclic antidepressants (like Elavil and Tofranil) caused a drop in metabolic rate of up to 10 percent. Translated into calories, this is a pound every seven to 10 days, if you don't change your diet."

Fernstrom also tells us that Lithium, a common prescription drug used in the treatment for bipolar disorder can also cause weight gain.  She gives these statistics to prove her point:  "One-third to two-thirds of patients who take this drug experience weight gain. It increases appetite, slows metabolism, and increases fluid retention. (While water weight isn't true weight gain, it makes the patient feel bloated and fatter.) Patients on lithium can gain 20 to 30 pounds - or even more - in a year."

In Part Two of this Series I will discuss which antidepressants are least likely to cause weight gain and which of these even helps you to lose weight.  One antidepressant is supposed to not only help you lose weight but also reportedly can help you to stop smoking!

Please keep in mind that everyone responds differently to these medications.  I am simply reporting what I am finding in the literature and these statistics may not correspond with your experience at all. For example, in researching Zoloft, I found that there was a great mixture of reviews.  Some people said Zoloft made them gain weight and some said they actually lost weight while taking it.  Even the experts sometimes do not agree.  So do make sure you talk with your doctor before taking any medication to find the antidepressant which works for you.

And now we want to hear of your experience.  Have you gained weight while taking an antidepressant?  How much weight did you gain?  Did you end up switching medications because of this side effect? Do tell us your story as you just might help someone else in the process.