Venlafaxine and weight gain
Common Questions and Answers about Venlafaxine and weight gain
effexor
The whole antidepressant weight gain or loss issue is still a big debate.
On one hand scientific studies show that SSRI and SNRI medications do not alter the bodies metabolism, on the other hand you see reports by people saying they gained weight on them.
In the last 16 years I have taken nearly every SSRI and SNRI medication on the market and did not experience weight gain or loss on any of them. Now, obviously I am about 25Lbs heavier than I was when I was in my 20s.
Have you read the leaflet that comes with your medication? I am on venlafaxine, and I, and many others here have gained a lot of weight on that particular drug. Look up old postings, and you will see what I mean.
The leaflet says some will gain and some will lose. It would appear, however, for others on this forum, that we gain.
Don't know what we can do about it. I watch my diet, and recently did lose some weight to get into an outfit for a wedding. It is difficult, but possible.
I was also on epilim and was taken off because of the weight gain, im now on lamotrigine, at the begining I found this to really lift my mood but then it wasnt enough so I was added some other medication, cant remember the name, I was ok for months but now for some reason I have started to cycle again.
As you can see, Effexor is amongst the least likely to cause weight gain, and in fact, is known to contribute to weight loss. You may wish to try an alternative on the list above.
It is unclear why anti-depressants cause weight gain. Here are some possibilities:
• Overeating, as a result of depression, can cause weight gain, esp if the person had lost weight in the pretreated depression
• Most anti-depressants, mood stabilizers and antipsychotics are also anti-histamines.
Never considered effexor xr/venlafaxine as i was so put off with the reviews of weight gain and the awful discontinuation symptoms. Prozac was great but major weight gain in two months.
i need one that works without serious side effects and no weight gain.
Setraline would be perfect if it wasn't causing heart probs.
I find I put on a lot of weight, and that is why I stopped it. I lost all the extra weight, but now am back to being fat. But, as my daughter says, better to be fat and well, than to stop and be very ill.
I do hope you can manage, as I know how difficult it is. Why did doc put you on another medication? I have never taken a higher dose than 150mg Venlafaxine, and you were on a high dose.
Keep in touch, and let me know how you get on.
Sabrina, yes paxil,like all the other ssri's can cause weight gain. The medication that doesn't is wellbutrin, or if anxiety is the main symptom, klonopin. You should adjust to tiredness within a week, if not, then maybe the dose is too high for you. Re obesity, you have to learn how to stop stress eating, which is probably more difficult for you because of your anxiety. the best way to do that is to take the course at www.shrinkyourself.com, or consult a therapist.
Yes I gained a fair amount of weight on Depakoate (another brand name for Epilim) and Seroquel. I do know I had less of a problem with weight gain with Lamictal and that among the current generation of antipsychotics, Abilify, Fanapt and Saphris are the least likely to cause weight gain but each person responds differently to each medication. Ask your psychiatrist about available options.
As far as the weight gain, Effexor, Seroquel, and psychiatric med that people say make them gain weight, the weight gain is usually a side affect of a side affect. Let me explain. I didn't gain weight on Effexor, but I was only on it for 5 months, and was physically sick with a bad gall bladder at the time, AND was extremely busy opening a new store, so food was the last thing on my mind.
I have recently been prescribed Cipralex (Lexapro) and was wondering if anyone could tell me how effective this medication is in treating depression/anxiety. Have you found it helpful and has it caused side effects such as weight gain and insomnia? I've heard it's a weight neutral antidepressant but the label says weight gain is one of the most frequent side effects.
my doctor has been pressuring me to gain weight. now since i had to go back on the venlafaxine i am feeling nauseaous and my head is hurting. I am going to call my doctor and talk to his nurse to see what they can do. thank you but i dont think my insurance will approve it. they only pay for generics. tammy goes to her HMR weednesday i am going to ask her doctor if there is any way i can apply for help witth my meds. thank you for being here for me.
Effexor is a Cat C drug, crosses the placenta near the end of pregnancy..there is an increase chance of low birth weight and unknown demise (very low, but there). It will show up in your breast milk. Being a Cat C, it is considered safe to a point (which apparently is third trimester).
NEONATAL SIDE EFFECTS: Restlessness, hypertonia, jitteriness, irritability and poor feeding occurred in a neonate after maternal use of venlafaxine for depression during pregnancy.
Don't settle for Venlafaxine! It's NOT the same as Effexor, and not helpful. My experience is exactly the same as yours. I just have to tell my doctor to include "No Substitution" on the prescription to get the name brand. If , your insurance is the issue, ask him or her to write an exception letter -- you could write it for them -- they just have to verify that the Venlafaxine isn't working, exactly why, and they will usually authorize the exception for a year or more.
d recommend an SNRI, and my favorite is the tried-and-true oldie, effexor (venlafaxine). Start low and give it time. Good luck.
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