Lexapro & Weight Gain: Is There a Connection?

Lexapro belongs to a group of medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These drugs are used for treating major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and other mood disorders. Lexapro (generic drug: escitalopram) and other medications in this class work by increasing the levels of a natural chemical called serotonin in the brain. Taking Lexapro can help improve symptoms of depression and anxiety. However, just like any medication, Lexapro can cause side effects. Concerns regarding whether Lexapro can cause weight gain are often brought up by those who are prescribed this popular antidepressant. Please continue reading to learn about the link between Lexapro and weight gain.

Does Lexapro cause weight gain over time?

More than 40% of adult Americans have obesity. With the obesity rate climbing drastically over the past few decades, there are questions regarding whether increased antidepressant exposure can be a contributing factor to the obesity pandemic.

As mentioned above, Lexapro is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). It works by increasing serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin helps regulate mood, but it also affects appetite and metabolism, leading to metabolic changes. Short-term effects of Lexapro (and other antidepressants) can lead to decreased impulsiveness and increased satiety, thereby reducing food consumption and leading to weight loss. However, if you have been taking an antidepressant for more than a year, your body becomes desensitized, which can cause cravings for carbohydrate-rich foods and sweets, which can consequently cause you to gain weight. The good news is, compared to some other antidepressants, Lexapro is associated with a lower risk of weight gain.

Are there any other contributing factors that can cause weight gain?

The short answer is yes. As mentioned, antidepressants, including Lexapro, work by regulating serotonin levels and affect body weight as a result. However, there are other factors that can contribute to a person’s weight gain.

Another way people gain weight on Lexapro is because this medication can lead to adverse effects such as drowsiness and fatigue. These side effects can result in a sedentary lifestyle (decreased physical activity) and weight gain.

Moreover, some people eat less when they are depressed, which can lead to inadvertent weight loss. Antidepressant therapy can help depressed individuals feel better, causing their appetite to return and leading them to experience weight gain.

It is worth remembering that every individual’s response to antidepressant use is different based on genetic factors, pre-existing medical conditions, and lifestyle choices. Therefore, while one person prescribed Lexapro or any other antidepressant may experience rapid weight gain, another person may experience no weight changes.

How much weight can you gain on Lexapro?

So far, we have discussed the fact that antidepressant treatment is associated with weight change. However, their effects on weight vary among individuals and other contributing factors such as lifestyle choice and activity level should always be taken into consideration.

Let’s look into findings from clinical trials on the relationship between Lexapro and weight gain.

A 2018 analysis of a population-based cohort study has found that people who have been prescribed an antidepressant had an increased risk of at least 5% weight gain compared to those who have never been prescribed an antidepressant. This review also looked at the weight changes occurring with each antidepressant. Lexapro was found to cause an average of 3.7% weight gain, and amitriptyline caused the highest average weight gain of 25.9%.

Other findings of this review are the fact that weight gain typically occurs in the second or third year. Weight gain does not typically occur with antidepressant treatment of less than one year. However, this can also be due to incomplete data recording.

Notably, an electronic health records study of long-term weight gain following antidepressant use reveals a very small difference between each antidepressant.

How do I stop weight gain while taking Lexapro?

You can avoid gaining weight while taking Lexapro through healthy eating habits, regular exercise, managing stress levels, and getting enough restful sleep.

Studies have shown that unhealthy lifestyles play a big role in weight gain during SSRI antidepressant use. This means that people who do not eat a healthy diet and do not participate in regular physical activity are more likely to gain weight on Lexapro and other antidepressants.

To prevent long-term weight gain on Lexapro, you should eat whole foods and avoid processed foods. Also, regular physical activity has the double benefit of helping to keep body weight in check and improving mental health.

It is a good idea to check your weight regularly so that you can identify weight changes quickly and make lifestyle changes to counteract them. You can also talk to your healthcare provider about switching to other treatment options if you are worried about Lexapro and weight gain.

Keep in mind that psychotherapy and counseling are important components of treatment for both depression and anxiety. If an antidepressant drug potentiates weight gain, psychotherapy could help in weight control by teaching you healthy ways to manage cravings. Therapy and counseling may even reduce antidepressant utilization or allow you to come off antidepressant medications altogether, thus lowering your risk of weight gain.

Will I lose weight after getting off Lexapro?

Weight gain can persist for several months or even years after initiating second-generation antidepressants. However, many associated factors such as age, gender, ongoing depression symptoms, appetite, metabolism, and physical activity play a role in how long it takes to lose weight after getting off Lexapro or other antidepressants.

Which antidepressants cause the most weight gain?

Pharmacological treatment with newer antidepressant drugs such as SSRIs is less likely to cause weight gain compared to older antidepressants such as tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

The antidepressant drugs that have been found to cause the most weight gain include tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) such as amitriptyline (Elavil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and trimipramine (Surmontil); monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as phenelzine (Nardil); atypical antidepressant medications such as mirtazapine (Remeron).

If you are taking Lexapro for major depression and are concerned about gaining weight, do not stop taking the medication suddenly. This may lead to uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your mental health care provider about switching medications. They may prescribe a different medication to treat major depressive disorder or anxiety disorders. For example, studies have shown that people lose weight on certain antidepressant drugs such as bupropion (Wellbutrin).

Your healthcare professional may also prescribe a medication for weight loss to counteract the weight gain caused by your antidepressant medication.

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