How Antidepressants Can Affect Weight Loss

How Antidepressants Can Affect Weight Loss Depression Treatment Medication Print How Antidepressants Can Affect Weight Loss Why Wellbutrin or Prozac May Be the Most Sensible Options By Nancy Schimelpfening Nancy Schimelpfening, MS is the administrator for the non-profit depression support group Depression Sanctuary. Nancy has a lifetime of experience with depression, experiencing firsthand how devastating this illness can be. Learn about our editorial policy Nancy Schimelpfening Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on January 05, 2016 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on February 04, 2020 Verywell / Emily Roberts More in Depression Treatment Medication Causes Symptoms Diagnosis Types Childhood Depression Suicide Many people with depression have worked hard to treat their disease. You may attend therapy and take your antidepressants, only to find that the numbers on the scale are moving up and your clothes are not fitting like they used to. While you may feel better emotionally and mentally, you might also feel discouraged by your physical appearance or health. Some of this may be due to the connection between antidepressants and weight gain. It is not a side effect of every medication used to treat depression, and some are more associated with weight loss. However, any side effectâ€"weight includedâ€"depends entirely on how your body reacts to the medication. It is possible that you will notice no change in weight or that you will swing in the opposite direction of whats typical, no matter which medication you take. For some people, the fluctuation in weight is only temporary. Associated With Weight Gain Paxil (paroxetine) Elavil (amitriptyline) Remeron  (mirtazapine) Associated With Weight Loss Prozac (fluoxetine) Wellbutrin (bupropion) Antidepressants and Weight Gain Weight gain while taking an antidepressant is a conundrum that can leave many people scratching their heads, even doctors. If a person gains weight,  its sometimes unknown  if that is due to a side effect of the antidepressant itself. Its entirely possible that the person is simply feeling better and, as a result, eating more. On the flip side, if you have  atypical depression, a subtype of major depressive disorder, weight gain is common. In this instance, with antidepressant treatment, further weight gain may indicate failed treatment or it could be medication-inducedâ€"a tricky, but extremely critical distinction. To further complicate the picture, while many people associate antidepressant use with weight gain, there is actually limited scientific evidence to back this up. Research shows weight gain is mostly linked only to these three antidepressants:?? ?Paxil (paroxetine): a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)  Elavil (amitriptyline): a tricyclic antidepressant  Remeron  (mirtazapine): an atypical antidepressant   Weight gain associated with other antidepressants, if it does occur, is usually  short-lived. In addition, individual factors seem to play a role. In other words, its hard to predict who will  gain weight on certain antidepressants because so many variables are at play. Antidepressants and Weight Loss You may be surprised to learn that there are two antidepressants linked to weight loss. Remember, a link implies a statistical association, so it does not predict individual results. These include: Prozac (fluoxetine)Wellbutrin (bupropion) As an SSRI, Prozac increases the levels of serotonin in the brain and these are generally the first-line treatment for depression. Any weight loss you may experience while taking Prozac may only be temporary and weight gain after the first few months may be possible. Wellbutrin is an atypical antidepressant that doesnt change serotonin levels in the brain. Rather, it uniquely alters other brain chemicals like noradrenaline and dopamine. This is associated not only with weight loss  but also improved sexual functioning.?? This being said,  Wellbutrin may not be appropriate for everyone. This is especially true of people with a history of seizures or an eating disorder like anorexia or bulimia. It could put you at greater risk for having a seizure while using it. Like all antidepressants, Wellbutrin and Prozac carry  a black box warning. This states their potential for increased risk of suicidal thoughts and actions in children, teens, and young adults during the early stages of treatment. Proceeding With an Antidepressant Treating your depression is paramount to your mental health and well-being. Of course, your physical appearance and health are also important, and your doctor would not want weight gain to affect your adherence to your depression therapy. Have a candid discussion with your doctor about depression treatment as there are a lot of options out there. Its important to remember, too, that  weight gain is not inevitable with antidepressant therapy, and if it does occur, its  usually temporary. If you have concerns about weight loss or gain, talk to your doctor about diet and exercise changes you can make as well. By changing a few habits and feeling healthier, you can also improve your emotional and mental health. Often, a combination of medication and a healthy lifestyle is the best treatment plan. There is also the precaution that if you do not have depression, antidepressants are not recommended for weight loss. Studies have found that taking these medications for that purpose has negligible results.?? Theres no proof that it helps anymore with losing weight than diet and exercise alone. A Word From Verywell Treating your depression may  take some patience and resilience on your part as you navigate and find the right plan, but it can be done. You can optimize both your physical and mental healthâ€"in fact, they often feed off one another.