Hi,

Thanks for your question. Weight gain is a very common side effect of some but not all antidepressants. When the decision to prescribe antidepressants is made it is on the basis of treating the depression rather than concerns over possible side effects. That's not to say these concerns aren't very real but treating depression is the first and most pressing priority.

Certain types of antidepressant tend to have fewer side effects in terms of weight gain. Bupropion, Nefazodone and Dulextine are three such examples. But they are not commonly prescribed depression is thought to respond better to a class of drugs called SSRI's (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). Your Citalopram falls into this category.

So you may feel you are between a rock and a hard place. Your medication is designed to balance the chemicals in your brain and help prevent depression. If you feel your weight is becoming such an issue that it is helping to make you feel depressed it's perhaps something you need to discuss with your doctor. So while the alternative meds may lessen the chances of weight gain they may not have the same therapeutic effect as the meds you currently take.