Also known as cyclic antidepressants, TCAs are some of the earliest forms of antidepressant medications. They are not as commonly prescribed as more modern forms of antidepressants, as they can cause more side effects, including weight gain.
Older research suggests that excessive weight gain caused many users to quit TCA treatment. However, cyclic antidepressants can be effective, especially for some people who do not respond to other treatments. MAOIs are another early class of antidepressants and have generally been replaced by newer antidepressant drugs. Although effective, they tend to cause weight gain and several other adverse reactions.
In addition, people who take MAOIs may need to restrict their diets, as these drugs can cause elevated blood pressure levels when taken with some foods and medications. However, MAOIs help relieve depression in some people who do not see improvements with other drugs. One type of MAOI called selegiline Emsam , a topical treatment that is applied to the skin as a patch, has been associated with weight loss in some users.
The most commonly prescribed form of antidepressant medication, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs have been associated with weight loss in short-term use, but may cause weight gain when used long term.
However, weight gain associated with SSRIs depends on the length of time they are taken, as well as the type. For example, paroxetine is the most likely to lead to weight gain, while sertraline is least likely. One type of atypical antidepressant called mirtazapine Remeron has been linked to both increased appetite and weight gain. It is less likely, however, than TCAs to cause weight gain. Not all antidepressants cause weight gain, and some cause less weight gain than other commonly prescribed medications.
If used on a short-term basis of fewer than 6 months, the following SSRIs are unlikely to cause weight gain:.
In fact, some drugs used to treat depression have been associated with weight loss, including:. Could also be peri-menopause contribution. Worth the weight gain to feel better, but going to see if I can lose it by cutting carbs. I have been on Pristiq for a few years because of horrible depression along with suicidal thoughts. I tried many drugs but one doctor put me on Pristiq and it to me was a lifesaver as far as depression goes, but the side effects are a pain.
Regardless of the nightmare some go through trying to get off of this med I am trying to at least cut back. I can only hope this will continue without side effects but I already feel much better, not as fatigued and even a bit happier in my mood, no depression at all has returned.
I will continue on half a pill for a month and then a quarter pill and after a month nothing. I can only hope this works, they say pristiq is an almost impossible drug to quit. I used to be in great shape, I was a competition swimmer. I was on Pristiq for several years. I tried everything to get the weight off: diet, exercise, running, and nothing worked. It seemed the harder I worked the more the weight stayed on. I asked my doctor if there was any other options because I felt like Pristiq was not beneficial anymore and I was experiencing extreme low energy.
My doctor switched me to Brintellix and it has been wonderful. My weight is back to normal after three weeks. All I did was eat healthy and ride the bike for 30 minutes 5 days a week. I feel so much better about myself now that I can fit back into all my clothes. My advice is that if you are battling depression the last thing you need is to gain weight because that will just make you more depressed. I encourage you to talk to your doctor about other options. Have put on 16 KGS. Am a happy functioning female but the weight gain has been bittersweet.
Emma, after my experience I can tell you I am There are other medications that work equally as well and do not have weight gain as a side effect. I was put on Brintellix 3 weeks ago and I lost the weight that Pristiq had added. So far there are no side effects that I can tell. The only issue is I do not believe that Brintellix in generic but there are coupons online. I hope this helps and good luck! Hopefully it subsides as my body gets used to the medication.
I have suffered from depression for thirty years, mainly because of chronic back pain. Started Pristiq 18 months and quickly rose to mg per day. I am in my seventies and have packed on 25kg which is bad for my back and also my self esteem.
Have not had weight gain with previous medication. Am now weaning myself off and not finding it easy. Probably going back to Zoloft.
My weight initially went down and then up and up and up and up. It certainly crushes self-esteem which contributes even more to depression.
I will say this though… having been on so many other ADs with varying side effects over the past 20 years, this is the drug for me. I have gained about 10kgs since then but considering my age; not sure if I can fully blame Pristiq.
I have only been on Pristiq for approx 3 months but have lost 7. I am also more motivated to eat healthier, although my energy levels are not higher and I seem more tired, hence not exercising ATM. Hoping that will change. I have been taking Pristiq for about a year and have put on just over 10 kg.
I am really feeling very unfit even though I exercise , I am very tired, etc. If anyone can help me with this I would be very grateful. Many thanks. I have been on pristiq for 6 months and gained 5kgs despite being very active at the gym and eating very healthy. I weigh 67kgs now. Every antidepressant I have tried has made me put on weight and when I have stopped I normally lose it.
But then I go crazy and always end up having to be medicated. I was put on pristiq over other medications because of it being less likely to cause weight gain but it still does. The reason I need to take medication stems from a long string of eating disorders and serious anxiety towards weight related issues, but the medication is counterproductive in that it causes weight gain. It does feel like it allows me to be happier and more social and less anxious in other things though.
Wishing there was something that could make me happy and not come with a world of side effects. Terrible drug! Going back to going back to Effexor immediately!!!! I have gained 20 lbs in a year despite increasing my exercise and trying to eat healthier. I was on zoloft for a long time and got switched to pristiq. Doc has tested my hormones and checked for hypothyroidism but everything comes back fine.
I know everyone is different in the way they metabolize medicine but it appears that those who gain weight on pristiq are in the minority. Start your free assessment here. K Health has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references.
Anxiety Facts and Statistics. Is increased antidepressant exposure a contributory factor to the obesity pandemic? Bupropion: A systematic review and meta-analysis of effectiveness as an antidepressant. Effects of antidepressant and antipsychotic use on weight gain: A systematic review. What is Anxiety and Depression? Semenovskaya specializes in emergency medicine, and received her medical degree from Weill Cornell Medical College.
She is currently the medical director at Remote Emergency Medicine Consulting, LLC and splits her time working clinically as an emergency medicine attending in California and Alaska. She is the first of our doctors to be fluent in Russian. By Zina Semenovskaya, MD. Strength training builds muscle, and muscle burns more calories than fat.
Drink eight to 10 glasses of water daily. This will help to curb your appetite so that you may be less tempted to eat when you're not hungry. Holly Case. Holly Case has written professionally since She is a former contributing editor for "ePregnancy" magazine and a current editor for a natural food magazine. She has extensive experience writing about nutrition, pregnancy, infertility, alternative medicine, children's health and women's health issues.
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