Does Lexapro cause weight gain?

Antipsychotic drugs, antidepressants , and mood stabilizers are common drugs that have the most potential to increase weight gain. All 12 of the leading antidepressants, including fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and escitalopram (Lexapro), make gaining weight more likely.

Is it common to gain weight on Lexapro?

Weight gain while taking Lexapro (escitalopram) is not uncommon. The medication, often prescribed to treat depression or anxiety disorders, belongs to a class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These medications all list weight gain as a possible side effect.

Does Lexapro weight gain go away?

Does Lexapro weight gain go away? If you gain weight when taking Lexapro, you may be able to lose weight with regular exercise and healthy eating. Talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian for support and individual guidance.

Why am I gaining so much weight on Lexapro?

A person may gain some weight when taking Lexapro. This can happen for different reasons. Lexapro boosts serotonin, which plays a role in controlling weight. The medication may increase appetite directly, or a person may begin to eat more as their depression or anxiety lessens.

Will I lose weight when I stop taking Lexapro?

So if weight gain is caused by the medication, then weight loss should follow its discontinuation. And it does, for many people: Once the medication is out of the body, normal appetite returns, fatigue diminishes, and the patient returns to eating and exercising normally.

Why do you gain weight with antidepressants and mood stabilizers?

Why have I been gaining weight so fast?

However, fast weight gain can be a sign of an underlying health condition, such as a problem with the thyroid, kidneys, or heart. Anyone who experiences rapid, unexplained weight gain should see their doctor to determine the underlying cause and develop a treatment plan.

Should I take Lexapro in the morning or at night?

You can take escitalopram at any time of day, as long as you stick to the same time every day. If you have trouble sleeping, it's best to take it in the morning.

How can I avoid gaining weight on antidepressants?

As simple as it may sound, the best chance of avoiding, or lessening further, undesirable weight gain when taking a prescribed antidepressant or antipsychotic medication, is to simultaneously participate in a formal weight management program.

What is the best antidepressant for weight loss?

Of these three medications, bupropion (Wellbutrin) is the most consistently associated with weight loss. Several studies, including a 2019 meta-analysis of 27 studies, found that bupropion (Wellbutrin) was the only commonly used antidepressant associated with weight loss.

Which antidepressants cause the most weight gain?

Tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline and tetracyclic antidepressants such as mirtazapine are linked to the most weight gain.

Is antidepressant weight gain permanent?

The research also raises concerns about the duration of risk that patients are exposed to. Previous studies correlating antidepressants with weight gain have been short-term, typically less than a year.

Is 10 mg of Lexapro enough?

Initial Treatment

The recommended dose of Lexapro is 10 mg once daily. A flexible-dose trial of Lexapro (10 to 20 mg/day) demonstrated the effectiveness of Lexapro [see Clinical Studies]. If the dose is increased to 20 mg, this should occur after a minimum of three weeks.

How do I wean off Lexapro 10 mg?

Tapering involves adjusting your dose by a small amount, gradually decreasing until your body gets used to lower levels of the medication. Your doctor can create a dose schedule and carefully monitor the process to avoid severe symptoms.

Does Lexapro affect appetite?

Other Side Effects of Lexapro

In addition to potentially affecting your appetite, eating habits and weight, Lexapro and similar antidepressants may also cause other side effects. Most potential side effects of Lexapro are mild, and many improve gradually as your body adjusts to the medication.

Does Lexapro change your personality?

Fact: When taken correctly, antidepressants will not change your personality. They will help you feel like yourself again and return to your previous level of functioning.

What happens if you just stop taking Lexapro?

If you suddenly stop taking Lexapro, you may experience withdrawal symptoms, which can include irritability, headache, dizziness, lethargy, and sensory disturbances. The best way to discontinue the medication is to taper off your dose slowly according to a doctor's instructions.

Does Lexapro make you tired?

Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like escitalopram (Lexapro), citalopram (Celexa), paroxetine (Paxil), and fluoxetine (Prozac), taken for depression or anxiety, can make you feel sleepy.

What is the difference between Zoloft and Lexapro?

The only difference between them and their brand-name counterparts is that they tend to cost significantly less. A generic version of Lexapro is available, which is called escitalopram. The generic version of Zoloft is called sertraline, and it is available in tablet and liquid forms.

Do antidepressants slow metabolism?

And yes, certain antidepressants and other medications may increase appetite. However, most medications do not alter metabolism, per se. Thus, weight loss can still occur when attention is given to other factors, including the composition and timing of dietary intake.

Does Lexapro help with anxiety?

Lexapro (escitalopram) is good for treating depression and anxiety. It's generally well-tolerated and has fewer drug interactions than other antidepressants.

Can you drink alcohol while taking Lexapro?

The combination of Lexapro and alcohol should be avoided due to potentially dangerous side effects. Even a small amount of alcohol can lead to a large amount of unpleasant effects. Mixing these two substances may actually lead to heightened symptoms of depression and anxiety.

What are the side effects of Lexapro?

Common side effects

Headache, nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, increased sweating, feeling nervous, restless, fatigue, or having trouble sleeping (insomnia). These will often improve over the first week or two as you continue to take the medication.

What is the success rate of Lexapro?

The overall response and remission rates after escitalopram monotherapy were 68.4% and 46.4%, respectively. The response rate was 76.9%, 63.7%, and 63.0%, in mild, moderate, and moderate–severe subgroups, respectively, showing significant difference among them (P < .

Can Lexapro affect bowel movements?

SSRIs, including Lexapro, are tolerated well compared to other types of antidepressants. In general, you may have more side effects if you take a higher dosage of the drug. At a high dosage, Lexapro is more likely to cause gastrointestinal side effects, such as diarrhea.

Is 5mg Lexapro enough for anxiety?

What dose of Lexapro is used for anxiety? The typical dose⁷ of Lexapro for anxiety is 10mg daily. Your doctor may start you at 5mg and taper up to 10mg to prevent your anxiety symptoms from worsening during the first two weeks of treatment.