According to research, Lexapro treatment may cause your body to burn less calories by slowing down your metabolism or affect your appetite by causing you to crave certain foods (e.g., carbohydrates) and overeat [5].
Lexapro may cause weight gain because it blocks the serotonin transporter, which increases levels of serotonin in the brain, but also increases appetite and decreases metabolism.
A person taking Lexapro may experience some weight gain, especially with long-term use. That risk may continue for up to six years. 3 There are many reasons why this may occur. One of Lexapro's weight gain mechanisms is that it increases serotonin levels, and serotonin plays a role in weight control.
Will I lose weight if I stop Lexapro? You may lose weight when you come off of an antidepressant like Lexapro, but don't stop taking your medication without your doctor's advice.
Restarting Lexapro After Stopping
If you develop Lexapro withdrawal after stopping your medication or tapering down too quickly, your doctor may recommend restarting it. After restarting, any severe symptoms you may have experienced will typically resolve in less than three days.
Because SSRIs cause more serotonin to remain in circulation in the brain, the individual experiences less depressive symptoms. In fact, many people report feeling completely back to normal when taking these medications.
The antidepressants with the highest risk of causing weight gain are amitriptyline, citalopram, mirtazapine, nortriptyline, trimipramine, paroxetine, and phenelzine.
Antidepressants interfere with serotonin, the neurotransmitter that regulates anxiety and mood while also controlling appetite. In particular, these changes may increase cravings for carbohydrate-rich foods, such as bread, pasta, and desserts.”
That being said, a 2015 study published in General Hospital Psychiatry found that both Lexapro and Zoloft—as well as other antidepressant medications—could lead to weight gain. While head-to-head comparisons for Zoloft vs Lexapro are not available, studies suggest that both can cause weight gain when taken long-term.
Escitalopram may cause weight loss or a decrease in appetite. Teenagers who will be taking it for a long time should have their weight and growth measured on a regular basis.
Physical activity and diet
Arguably the best natural method to prevent weight gain from antidepressants is to exercise. You already know how 1p physical and mental health benefits you stand to gain from exercising. But if you've never had any reason to prioritize it, it's so worth considering at this point.
Increasing both aerobic exercise and strength training, ideally four times a week for a minimum of 30 to 45 minutes, can increase muscle tone and metabolism and reduce fat stores. Regular exercise has also been shown to reduce risk for depression relapse when combined with a stable medication regimen.
Fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline (Zoloft and Lustral) are two antidepressants often less likely to cause weight gain.
Antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and atypical antipsychotic drugs seem to alter appetite by inhibiting serotonin-based regulation of the appetite function. A persistent need to eat remains after the stomach is full of food, along with cravings for carbohydrate snacks.
Of the SSRIs, fluoxetine (Prozac) is least likely to cause weight gain.
According to research, Lexapro treatment may cause your body to burn less calories by slowing down your metabolism or affect your appetite by causing you to crave certain foods (e.g., carbohydrates) and overeat [5].
Lexapro weight gain can be a common side effect, but it doesn't impact everyone who takes this medication. Multiple studies conclude that SSRIs like Lexapro can result in weight gain.
Weight gain is a possible side effect of nearly all antidepressants. However, each person responds to antidepressants differently. Some people gain weight when taking a certain antidepressant, while others don't.
Bupropion (Wellbutrin), an atypical antidepressant, works by altering the brain chemicals norepinephrine and dopamine. In addition to being the only antidepressant consistently associated with weight loss, it's also associated with fewer rates of sexual side effects and sexual dysfunction than SSRIs and SNRIs.
If you have been feeling better for 6 months or more, your doctor may suggest coming off escitalopram. Your doctor will probably recommend reducing your dose gradually over several weeks, or longer if you have been taking escitalopram for a long time.
Lexapro withdrawal symptoms are most often described as flu-like symptoms, such as nausea, dizziness, fatigue, fever, headache, trouble sleeping, and mood swings. The safest way to safely stop taking Lexapro, or any other antidepressant, is to do so under the direct supervision of your doctor.
Lexapro withdrawal can be difficult, which is why it's so critical to understand the potential side effects of coming off the drug so you can learn how to cope. The best way to minimize Lexapro withdrawal is to gradually reduce your dosage over time.