[chana613]

Did anyone experience significant weight gain while on Zoloft?

[writehandgirl]

Originally Posted by chana613

Did anyone experience significant weight gain while on Zoloft?

I gained ten pounds after starting Lexapro. Not the same thing, but I did gain weight with it.

[jahspromise]

I'm on Zoloft. And I've gained 20 lb.

[mommysqueek]

I was on Zoloft and I did gain weight. I was eating alot too, so that was probably the real problem!
Another side effect from the Zoloft is insomnia.That is why I'm now taking Ambian. It's neverending.

[mcmama]

My ex and my son were on zoloft - weight gain was a problem for my ex but he gains weight just by thinking about it, like I do. My son is a skinny guy. His side effects were dry mouth, and a flat yeah well whatever outlook on everything. At the time that was fine, because he was supposed to level off the intensity and deal with some OCD. I am glad he didn't have to keep up the medication.

Zoloft doesn't stay in your system as long as many other antidepressants. You should talk to your doctor about the weight gain - it might be related to the meds or something else.

[desidoll88]

Hmm..are you all on other medicines as well? Zoloft (Sertraline) is not "supposed" to make you gain weight. The side effects are actually loss of appetite and weight loss.

Now, if you are taking other medications while taking Zoloft, that is another story. Anti-psychotics, in addition to anti-depressants, are used in bipolar patients. Most (not all, though) anti-psychotics do cause weight gain.

With that said, drugs affect different people in different ways, and clinical trials are not always accurate.

[beth]

Originally Posted by chana613

Did anyone experience significant weight gain while on Zoloft?

Antidepressants, as well as antipsychotics (which may be used to treat anxiety and depression) are renowned for causing weight gain. Many doctors may deny that these drugs cause weight increase, arguing that the decrease in depression/anxiety results in increased eating. While the latter may be partially true, it doesn't explain the often huge weight gain that can accompany antidepressants use. Often the level of weight gain exceeds that of any weight gain the person has previously experienced simply die to overeating.
Luckily not all antidepressants have the same effect on all people; it may be necessary to change medication if weight gain becomes a secondary reason for depression. On the other hand, often side effects (such as weight gain) indicate that the drug is having a positive effect on the sufferer. It's a tough issue...hopefully further drug research will increasing produce "cleaner" drugs with lesser side effects.

[AbbiesMom68]

I've heard a lot of people blame weight gain on SSRI's

[beth]

Originally Posted by AbbiesMom68

I'm usually not someone who tries to blame weight gain on anything other than my eating habits, but I gained about 15 pounds in the 6-9 months I was on Paxil. I went off of it because the weight gain was depressing me, and defeating the whole point

Many antidepressants are renowned for putting on weight. Some doctors are up front about it, others will tell you it's because you are eating more. Actually they change your body's metabolism. It's an unfortunate side effect of both antidepressants and antipsychotics, which are also often given to depressed patients. It is a real bummer that they have this effect as the last thing a depressed or anxious person needs is something else to worry about and lower their self-esteem.
Hopefully better drugs down the track but for long term recovery other methods such as CBT and counseling can help enormously.

[paguillory]

Originally Posted by desidoll88

Hmm..are you all on other medicines as well? Zoloft (Sertraline) is not "supposed" to make you gain weight. The side effects are actually loss of appetite and weight loss.

Now, if you are taking other medications while taking Zoloft, that is another story. Anti-psychotics, in addition to anti-depressants, are used in bipolar patients. Most (not all, though) anti-psychotics do cause weight gain.

With that said, drugs affect different people in different ways, and clinical trials are not always accurate.

I so glad to hear that taking zoloft can cause weight loss because that is what I am experiencing. Which is just fine with me.