Does lexapro itself cause weight gain?

[Anonymous]

I know it can make you all happy and content and shit so you stop working out and worrying about your image, but if you maintain a regular good diet and do cardio, do you usually put on weight? Figured you guys would know.

[Anonymous]

Lexapro is considered weight neutral- most people won't lose or gain more than 2 lbs. If you exercise and eat well there shouldn't a weight gain. There are always a few though that may experience weight gain w/ any SSRI. Whatever you do don't use Paxil- it is known to pack on the pounds. Hope this helps!

[Anonymous]

Lexapro is considered weight neutral- most people won't lose or gain more than 2 lbs. If you exercise and eat well there shouldn't a weight gain. There are always a few though that may experience weight gain w/ any SSRI. Whatever you do don't use Paxil- it is known to pack on the pounds. Hope this helps!

I would agree with that and even sold that dud of a drug (Paxil CR). Of all the SSRI's, Paxil and Paxil CR seem to cause the most weight gain. Zoloft and Lexapro are pretty weight neutral.

[Anonymous]

Yes. It also can cause weight loss. My counterpart gained 25 pounds on Lexapro with good diet & exercise. My other counterpart seems to have lost about 10 pounds and eats like a horse & is also on Lexapro for two years.

[Anonymous]

Lexapro sucks

[Anonymous]

This drug does not suck. It has made my life do a 180. I do not understand chemistry or pharma sales (I buy things for the govt.) but I do know that before I was a nervous wreck and now I'm smooth as silk. Frankly, I could care less if it's really sugar mixed with bird shit. Whatever is in it works for me. And I have had no loss in sex drive. If anything its increased because I'm not so fucking nervous all the time now.

[Anonymous]

This thread was a breath of fresh air.

Pharma rep here and today my doctor prescribed Lexapro for me-- the lowest dose.

I hope this helps as I really need something to take the edge off. I hope that this helps and I am soooooo glad this is weight neutral for most. Hopefully it will be for me.

I have read the package insert, but can anyone tell me the real deal on side effects? What are doctors/patients complaining about?

When docs choose NOT to prescribe Lexapro what are their reasons?

Thanks, serious replies requested.

[Anonymous]

This thread was a breath of fresh air.

Pharma rep here and today my doctor prescribed Lexapro for me-- the lowest dose.

I hope this helps as I really need something to take the edge off. I hope that this helps and I am soooooo glad this is weight neutral for most. Hopefully it will be for me.

I have read the package insert, but can anyone tell me the real deal on side effects? What are doctors/patients complaining about?

When docs choose NOT to prescribe Lexapro what are their reasons?

Thanks, serious replies requested.


Side effects may include short term nausea, headache and insomnia. The only reason someone might not prescribe Lexapro is because a patient's insurance may not cover it, the patient wants generic citalopram because it is cheaper or a physician follows insurance guidelines to a T.

[Anonymous]

I was on Lexapro for several years, for anxiety, and it worked wonders! It completely stopped my panic attacks. I did not gain any weight. However, after being on it for about 2 years, it started making me sleep a lot-I mean, 13 or 14 hours a day...and I'd fall asleep just about anywhere. I stopped taking Lexapro, and regained my energy within about two weeks. I know a few other people who take it, and it has not caused them to be sleepy, or to gain weight. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Personally, I took Lexapro for anxiety and was on it for about 3-4 months. It did NOTHING for me. Then my doc switched me to Effexor and it worked wonders. However, I did gain about 10-20 lbs. My mother and sister are both on Paxil for anxiety/depression and they say it works great for them with minimal weigth gain. I think that its hard to pinpoint only one SSRI that works well. It depends on the person!

[Anonymous]

Been on it for about 10 months. Works awsome. Makes you VERY sick at first. Keep taking it , it gets better. Try to take the minimal effective dosage to avoid sleepiness. I have put on about 5 pounds but my diet is awful.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the info.

The pharmacy did try to make the switch to the generic however I refused. I think generics are fine in some cases but we all know they don't always work as well as the branded.

Plus when I am taking something for the first time and want to evaluate effectiveness, I always take the branded.

For the poster who got sleepy after 2 years, after your 2 week hiatus, did you re-start Lexapro, or go to something else?

Once you begin taking it, generally how long does it take before you start to notice a difference? I will start taking it tonight.

I appreciate the replies.

----

[Anonymous]

when you first start taking it you will get sick to your stomach, KEEP TAKING IT. It will go away I swear. You will see effects in about 2 to 3 weeks. If you have anxiety, it is a godsend. They put me on 10mg to start but I'm on 5 now, 10 was a little too much for me. Judging how 10 made me feel, 20 would prob make you feel like a zombie. Good Luck.

[Anonymous]

Once I stopped the Lexapro after two years, no, I did not go back to it, and did not switch to another SSRI. These medications have a lasting effect on your body, you do not need to take them forever.

[Anonymous]

Lexapro at 10mg is about as effective in studies as placebo. When you go to 20mg, then efficacy can kick in, but side effects common to all SSRIs kick in and these do include weight change. And yes, it is an effect of the drug on your system. Jeez, appetite is regulated in the areas of the brain that is targeted by these drugs.

[Anonymous]

Actually, different dosages affect people differently-some people are more sensitive to certain chemicals, so they may be greatly affected by 10mg, while others might need a higher dose.

[Anonymous]

Been on Lexapro for about 1 month and I feel soooo much better I can't find words to express it. Everyone notices a difference.

I am on the 5mg dose. The first few days I felt nauseous. After that I noticed an immediate difference and I caught myself smiling. No weight gain just a few pounds of loss because with this I have no appetite. I do have to force myself to eat something.

I now realize how heavy that weight of anxiety and depression were. It is like I was trying to fill a glass that had a hole in the bottom. If I got a lot of sleep and nothing went wrong, the hole was very small. But anything could make the hole get larger and I coudn't do anything about it.

I am taking Lexapro and not the generic. I am amazed everyday at how normal I am and how abnormal I have been for at least the last 10-12 years.

I don't know who to thank, but thanks!

[Anonymous]

I've been reading several respones to my search about Lexapro & weight gain. I've mostly seen that they did NOt cause weight gain. I've always been thin; high metabolism, and the Lexpro saved my life, but I'm heavier than I've ever been. I gained 40 pounds, but when I was depressed, I stopped eating & sleeping pretty much, so I expected to gain some weight back. I will be 50 years old this year, and also starting Menopause. I'm really trying to determine if it's a combonation of the two "evils". Recently, I began my own regiment: getting off the Lexapro 10 mg that I've taken for 1.5 years now, and get away from the "pill" quick fix prescribed by every doctor who supports every RX company. I've decided I do not need this drug any more. I reduced my intake for 2 months to 5mg daily, now I am taking 5mg every other day for another 1.5 months. I hope to stay "depression-free" by more rest, physical activity, diet, and a good attitude. I hope to see a weight loss with the combination of all of these things, and not need to resume taking meds. The weight gain I've experinced has taken a toll on my self-esteem, and I want it back.

[Anonymous]

This thread was a breath of fresh air.

Pharma rep here and today my doctor prescribed Lexapro for me-- the lowest dose.

I hope this helps as I really need something to take the edge off. I hope that this helps and I am soooooo glad this is weight neutral for most. Hopefully it will be for me.

I have read the package insert, but can anyone tell me the real deal on side effects? What are doctors/patients complaining about?

When docs choose NOT to prescribe Lexapro what are their reasons?

Thanks, serious replies requested.

I CAN TELL YOU THIS FROM EXPERIENCE. YOUR SEX LIFE WILL TURN TO SHIT.

[Anonymous]

I came to the Forest board searching for the exact info that's on this post! I've been on Lexapro for about 3 weeks now and am AMAZED at how much better I feel... I agree with whoever said "I dont care if it's sugar mixed with bird shit"... all I know is I'm ME again!!! I suffered from TERRIBLE anxiety (Thanks to my DM, mostly) and now feel like I've stepped back into my life after being on Lexapro (10mg) for even this short period of time. I'm concerned about weight gain so I guess I just need to ramp up my workouts and keep an eye on my diet... if that doesn't work then I'll start splitting my pills in half.

THANK YOU LEXAPRO!

[Anonymous]

I CAN TELL YOU THIS FROM EXPERIENCE. YOUR SEX LIFE WILL TURN TO SHIT.


Been on Lexapro for two years plus (thank you Forest) and I find that Viagra takes care of the mild sexual side effects.

[Anonymous]

Lexapro caused wt gain and cognitive disturbances (forgot words)
my anxiety went away but I work in the OR and can't afford to be "dumb"

[Anonymous]

I have been taking nefazadone (serzone) for 10 yrs and am trying to change antidepressants. My doc just prescribed paxil but some friends said lexapro is the better way to go- I have anxiety but also ocd issues- will lexapro help with this as well??

Thanks for the serious replies. As a fellow rep I know the sales reps have the best info!

Thank you

[Anonymous]

I haven't gained much weight on Lexapro but the sexual side effects are one of the worst. I've been on Zoloft and Prozac before, gained weight on both. Prozac was good for about 2 years, then I had what the Dr. called "Poop out". Zoloft didnt work that well and after about 6 months my Dr. switched me to Lexapro. At first I felt like a porn star, I just went all night long. But after about a week my girl hated it cause I can never "finish". Most of the times she is left satisfied and I'm left taking a cold shower! Its very frustrating and I might ask to switch to Effexor or Cymbalta I heard they have much less sexual side effects.

[Anonymous]

I've taken every known antidepressant since I was sixteen and I'm now forty. Lexapro didn't work, but currently on Cymbalta which works alright but I'm an athlete and am always trying to gain weight but the Cymbalta curbs my appetite for the whole day psychologically even thought my stomach churns for food. Lexapro is weight neutral. I took Nardil (MAOI type A) for over ten years and I became a body builder and packed on 30 pounds of solid muscle. TCA also cause weight gain.

GSK and SA have the best R&D for CNS/Psych in the future

[Anonymous]

This is going to sound so crazy...but, I am your competition, and I am on Lexapro 20mg. I was taking Paxil CR, however, I didn't like the sexual side effects. So far..so good..it's been great. I noticed that some people said that they were tired alot. I feel that way since I have been taking it. I could take a nap anytime of the day. Does this go away, or should I take 10mg instead? Of course I will talk to my doctor, but I was just wondering if that was a possible side effect.

[Anonymous]

I've taken every known antidepressant since I was sixteen and I'm now forty. Lexapro didn't work, but currently on Cymbalta which works alright but I'm an athlete and am always trying to gain weight but the Cymbalta curbs my appetite for the whole day psychologically even thought my stomach churns for food. Lexapro is weight neutral. I took Nardil (MAOI type A) for over ten years and I became a body builder and packed on 30 pounds of solid muscle. TCA also cause weight gain.

GSK and SA have the best R&D for CNS/Psych in the future

So a side effect of taking Cymbalta is looking like I'm on steroids?

[Anonymous]

This is going to sound so crazy...but, I am your competition, and I am on Lexapro 20mg. I was taking Paxil CR, however, I didn't like the sexual side effects. So far..so good..it's been great. I noticed that some people said that they were tired alot. I feel that way since I have been taking it. I could take a nap anytime of the day. Does this go away, or should I take 10mg instead? Of course I will talk to my doctor, but I was just wondering if that was a possible side effect.

you need more NA and DA...ask your physician about adding Wellbutrin or selegiline as long as it's under 10mgs. I know the package insert cautions against combining Wellbutrin or selegiline (maoi type b only at 10mgs and therefor no potential for hypertensive crisis), but I take both with Cymbalta.

[Anonymous]

So a side effect of taking Cymbalta is looking like I'm on steroids?

No, I'm losing weight on Cymbalta but I don't want to lose weight. It was the maoi type a drug Nardil that made me so hungry.

[Anonymous]

Whom here has heard of or even knows what deplin is? Today one of my physicians told me that he had a patient maxed out with lexapro but wasnt getting the response he wanted, so he told me he added a new aumentation therapy called deplin. Before, I could get any info he was walking into a room telling me that with this product he may not have to switch-Anyone heard of this before?

[Anonymous]

Whom here has heard of or even knows what deplin is? Today one of my physicians told me that he had a patient maxed out with lexapro but wasnt getting the response he wanted, so he told me he added a new aumentation therapy called deplin. Before, I could get any info he was walking into a room telling me that with this product he may not have to switch-Anyone heard of this before?

I had an internal med dr tell me about Deplin. He's one of my top prescribers of Lexapro . He briefly told me that Deplin would improve outcomes of Lexapro because it will help synthesize and normalize all three neurotransmitters. I asked him what Deplin was and he said L-methylfolate and gave me a patient brochure the rep just left behind. Apparently you need it to synthesize neurotransmitters. According to this company's brochure if patients have low RBC folate levels they are 6x less likely to respond to an antidepressant. This dr told me that in the past he would have patients take folic acid to improve outcomes in his partial responders but now he's going to add Deplin to all of his patients that that do not fully respond to Lexapro. Sounds great to me, better than losing a prescription.

[Anonymous]

I had an internal med dr tell me about Deplin. He's one of my top prescribers of Lexapro . He briefly told me that Deplin would improve outcomes of Lexapro because it will help synthesize and normalize all three neurotransmitters. I asked him what Deplin was and he said L-methylfolate and gave me a patient brochure the rep just left behind. Apparently you need it to synthesize neurotransmitters. According to this company's brochure if patients have low RBC folate levels they are 6x less likely to respond to an antidepressant. This dr told me that in the past he would have patients take folic acid to improve outcomes in his partial responders but now he's going to add Deplin to all of his patients that that do not fully respond to Lexapro. Sounds great to me, better than losing a prescription.
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Right, any product that methylates drives the forward synthesis of the amino acide to the neurotransmitter, ie tyrosine or phenylalanine for norepinephrine and dopamine and tryptophan for serotonin. Tyrosine also increases thyroid hormone. Ever heard of the supplement SAMe? It helps the liver methylate as well as touted for joint conditions.

[Anonymous]

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Right, any product that methylates drives the forward synthesis of the amino acide to the neurotransmitter, ie tyrosine or phenylalanine for norepinephrine and dopamine and tryptophan for serotonin. Tyrosine also increases thyroid hormone. Ever heard of the supplement SAMe? It helps the liver methylate as well as touted for joint conditions.

From what I understamd SAMe is highly unstable and requires 1500mg for therapeutic effect-Expensive trying to get to this dose. What is the differece, or let me ask why L methylfolate and not Folic Acid? I already know that L methylfolate is reduced Folic Acid, but I also know that Folic acid is much less expensive, so why not just take the folic acid and let body do its job- I too have seen the Deplin samples in the field but I havent been able to find any literature on why this version and dose versus using a less expensive form of the Folic Acid.

[Anonymous]

best answer I've seen to that question to date is that Deplin is in a form that is readily usable by the body. When you say "give folic acid and let the body do its job" you are assuming that the conditions are just right for the optimal conversions to take place to get a sufficient amount of L-methylfolate to do the job. Why not just give the L-methylfolate and know for sure you're getting an optimal amount?

[Anonymous]

Other mythylation nutrients besides folic acid are Vitamin B6, Vitaminn B12, SAMe, and Betaine (trimeythlglycine). You can purchase products in health food stores that have these methylation factors all in one capsule. In addition to helping depression and mania, many cardiologist are using methylation nutrients to reduce homocysteine levels and thus reduce patients risk of heart disease.

[Anonymous]

Other mythylation nutrients besides folic acid are Vitamin B6, Vitaminn B12, SAMe, and Betaine (trimeythlglycine). You can purchase products in health food stores that have these methylation factors all in one capsule. In addition to helping depression and mania, many cardiologist are using methylation nutrients to reduce homocysteine levels and thus reduce patients risk of heart disease.
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ops..."methylation"

[Anonymous]

Lexapro ONLY causes weight gain if you consume food, as well.