Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Trending
    • How Modern Pharmacy Software Systems Improve Medical Billing Accuracy
    • 17-Methyltestosterone and Letrozole in Fish Reversal
    • Constipation: Here Are 8 Drinks for Immediate Relief
    • Avocado Benefits Sexually: How This Superfood Boosts Libido and Performance
    • What does Cranberry Juice Does Sexually? Benefits Backed by Science
    • Navigating the Maze: A Researcher’s Guide to Finding High-Quality Scientific Articles
    • ClearChoice Locations Near You: Convenient and High-Quality Dental Implants
    • Cefdinir Capsule for Tooth Infection
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    HealthsootheHealthsoothe
    • Home
    • Healthy
    • Dental Care
    • Skin Care
    • Discover
      • Fitness
      • Women hygiene
      • Tragedy Stories
      • Recipes
    • Health Tools
      • Body Tat Calc
      • CALC Diet Calorie
      • Ideal Body Weight Calc
      • Burned Calories Calc
      • View All
    • Connect
      • About
      • Privacy Policy & Affiliate Disclosure
      • Contact us
    HealthsootheHealthsoothe
    WELLNESS HEALTH

    How Antidepressants Affect Weight Gain?

    By Isreal Olabanji DST RNUpdated:July 4, 2024
    How Antidepressants Affect Weight Gain?
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email
    Advertisement
    5
    (5)

    Have you been prescribed antidepressants? These medications are taken by eleven percent of Americans over the age of twelve.

    Even though they are effective in the treatment of depression, these drugs have a tendency to cause undesired side effects. Weight gain is among the most common adverse effects, given a quarter of the people using them add a few extra pounds.

    Advertisement/Sexual content

    Related posts:

    1. Does spironolactone cause weight gain or weight loss
    2. How to Gain weight on the legs
    3. weight gain due to nexplanon
    4. Xasten Tablet for Weight Gain | Everything else you need to know

    Naturally, individuals react to these drugs in different ways. A consultation with your prescriber is always recommended if you experience anything out of the ordinary.

    Make sure you learn how antidepressants affect the increase in body weight.

    What’s the connection?

    The connection between antidepressants and weight gain is undeniable, even though experts are still unable to understand the exact reasons for it. According to one of their theories, these medications are believed to affect hunger levels and metabolism. Antidepressants are known to affect serotonin, referring to the neurotransmitter in charge of regulating mood, anxiety, and appetite. Such changes increase the cravings for foods rich in carbohydrates, including pasta, bread, etc.

    When depressed, individuals experience changes in appetite. Some individuals might be hungrier than usual, while others tend to lose appetite. Consequently, those who feel less hungry might gain weight when starting to take antidepressants, given their appetite returns to normal. The connection between weight gain and antidepressants is still to be explored. Anyhow, depression is thought to result in inactivity and fatigue, which lead to gaining a few extra pounds.

    According to certain studies, weight gain caused by such medications occurs due to hormonal and glucose metabolism changes. Antidepressants have numerous effects that result in an increase in body weight, including appetite stimulation, boosted carbohydrate cravings, resting metabolic rate changes, central nervous system interference, interference with noradrenaline production, and others.

    Antidepressant types that increase bodyweight

    Some types of medications are likelier to cause weight gain than others and have it listed as a potential side effect. These drugs include tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs.) TCAs are among the earliest types of such medications, meaning they aren’t prescribed too often because of having many side effects.

     

    How Antidepressants Affect Weight Gain?Nevertheless, TCAs are still preferred by some people who fail to respond to modern treatments. The most commonly prescribed TCAs include amitriptyline, amoxapine, doxepin, desipramine, imipramine, trimipramine, nortriptyline, protriptyline, etc. Another type of early antidepressant is MAOIs, which are usually replaced by newer medications due to a couple of adverse effects. Check out how monoamine oxidase inhibitors work.

    Individuals taking MAOIs have to make restrictions to their diets, as such drugs might elevate blood pressure when taken in combination with certain medications and foods. Nevertheless, they are effective in relieving depression in people who experience no improvement by taking other drugs. MAOIs that might increase bodyweight in users include phenelzine, isocarboxazid, and tranylcypromine. The first one is considered the most likely to induce weight gain.

    The most usually prescribed medications for depression are SSRIs, which are associated with both weight loss and gain. The former tends to happen when using them in the short-term, whereas the latter occurs when using SSRIs in the long term. The most commonly used selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are citalopram, fluoxetine, sertraline, and paroxetine.

    The weight gain side effect doesn’t just depend on the period of taking them but on their type as well. Consequently, paroxetine is the likeliest to add a few pounds to users, whereas sertraline isn’t. In order to avoid such an effect, users of SSRIs are advised to avoid unhealthy habits like using tobacco, not exercising, etc.

    What to do?

    If your antidepressant therapy is making you add a couple of extra pounds, you’re recommended to get a complete physical checkup to see if the drugs are to blame for it. Sometimes the increase in body weight is induced by a medical condition, not medications, such as hypothyroidism. See this link, https://www.healthline.com/health/hypothyroidism/symptoms-treatments-more, for everything you need to know about hypothyroidism.

    Besides doing a physical checkup, you should also consult your prescribing physician. In case you experience weight gain triggered by taking antidepressants, have a conversation with your prescriber to see if he/she is willing to help you with handling the side effects. Not all healthcare providers cope with side effects in the same manner.

    Make sure you ask the right questions during the consultation. You should learn whether certain adverse effects are normal for the medication you are taking. Remember to ask for advice related to minimizing the adverse effects. Your physician might end up prescribing you another drug or changing your dose. These concerns are best addressed by a doctor who is capable of fully understanding your situation.

    The bottom line

    Individuals experiencing this side effect should consult a doctor before switching to another antidepressant.

    Your physician provides the best advice!

     

    How useful was this post?

    Click on a star to rate it!

    Average rating 5 / 5. Vote count: 5

    No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

    As you found this post useful...

    Follow us on social media!

    We are sorry that this post was not useful for you!

    Let us improve this post!

    Tell us how we can improve this post?

    Advertisement
    Follow on Google News Follow on Flipboard
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous Article9 Types Of Sanitation You Should Be Aware Of
    Next Article Climax Energy Drink: Benefits, Ingredients, And Reviews
    Isreal Olabanji DST RN
    • Website
    • Facebook
    • X (Twitter)
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram

    Isreal olabanji a dental assistant and public health professionals and has years of experience in assisting the dentist with all sorts of dental issues.We regularly post timely and trustworthy medical information and news on Fitness, Dental care, Recipes, Child health, obstetrics, and more.

    Related Posts

    How Modern Pharmacy Software Systems Improve Medical Billing Accuracy

    July 1, 2025

    17-Methyltestosterone and Letrozole in Fish Reversal

    June 30, 2025

    Avocado Benefits Sexually: How This Superfood Boosts Libido and Performance

    June 29, 2025
    Leave A Reply

    You must be logged in to post a comment.

    Site Statistics
    • Today's visitors: 113
    • Today's page views: : 123
    • Total visitors : 5,871
    • Total page views: 6,509
    Popular Posts

    6 Foods That Will Make You Taste Sweeter Down There

    Dental Instruments And Their Uses

    Why Take Flomax At Bedtime? (Explained)

    What Are The Benefits Of Combining Wellbutrin And Zoloft? (Detailed Guide)

    Categories
    About
    Healthsoothe provide you with real evidence-based, authoritative health care information, Credible facts, experiences, and expert opinions with citations to reputable references.                                
    Contact Us
    For more queries and news contact us on this Email: [email protected],                              Call Me At: +44 7700 306246,                                      
    Healthsoothe International
    • Healthsoothe.ng
    • Healthsoothe.in
    • Healthsoothe.ke
    Caregivers Healthy Aging

    Mobility and Independence: Essential Tips for Active Ageing

    Embracing the Future: How Artificial Intelligence and Robotics are Transforming Elderly Care

    Angel Care Inc: Your Trusted Partner for Home Care Services

    Health Calculator

    BMI Calculation: Spatz Benefits

    Circumference Body fat calculator

    Proportionality of Body Calculator

    Oral care

    ClearChoice Locations Near You: Convenient and High-Quality Dental Implants

    Are Porcelain Veneers Harmful To Your Teeth? Risks, Benefits, and Expert Insights

    Porcelain Crowns: A Dental Restoration Worth Your Money

    Healthy Recipes

    Step Into a Healthier Future: Best Game-Changing Diet Plans in 2024

    Tiffany Magee Weight Loss: Exploring The Viral TikTok Sensation

    Heart-Healthy Recipes That Are Great For Your Vision, Too

    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest
    • HealthSoothe Media Kit
    • Privacy & Affiliate Disclosure
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Residents of California Right
    • Our Editorial Team
    • Healthsoothe Newsletter
    • Contact us : Our Company
    © 2025 Healthsoothe. Designed by Healthsoothe.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.