If you're considering Lexapro for depression or anxiety, it's natural to wonder about its potential impact on your weight. Weight changes can significantly affect your self-esteem and overall health, so it's essential to understand the relationship between Lexapro and weight.
Lexapro, known generically as escitalopram, is a widely used antidepressant belonging to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class. SSRIs work by increasing serotonin levels in the brain, improving mood and reducing depression and anxiety symptoms. However, this same process can sometimes influence weight.
How Common Is Weight Gain with Lexapro?
Research indicates that weight gain is a possibility with Lexapro, but it's not inevitable. Studies have shown that Lexapro caused weight gain in approximately 41% of cases. This means that while it's a common side effect, most people taking the medication don't experience significant weight gain. Research has shown approximately 40% of people taking antidepressants such as Lexapro will gain 7% or more of their starting body weight.
When weight gain occurs, it's typically modest. Most people experience a weight gain of 2.4-4 pounds over 8-9 months. However, individual experiences can vary, with some gaining more and others losing weight initially.
The Complex Relationship Between Lexapro and Weight
The connection between Lexapro and weight changes is complex and involves several mechanisms in the body.
Read also: Combining Adderall and Lexapro
Serotonin and Weight Control
Lexapro's effect on serotonin levels is a primary factor. Serotonin plays a role in weight control. While higher serotonin levels might be expected to reduce appetite, the reality is more complicated.
Research suggests that blocking serotonin transporter activity decreases metabolism while increasing appetite because serotonin and its transporter influence appetite. So, while Lexapro improves mood, it might also slow down calorie burning and increase hunger.
Increased Appetite and Recovery
As depression or anxiety improves, individuals may regain interest in activities they previously avoided, including eating and socializing around food. This return to normal eating patterns can lead to weight gain if not managed mindfully.
Risk Factors for Weight Gain
Not everyone taking Lexapro will gain weight, but certain factors can increase the likelihood:
- Sedentary Lifestyle: Limited physical activity can increase the chances of weight gain while taking Lexapro.
- Age: Metabolism naturally slows down with age.
- Starting Weight and Body Composition: Some research suggests people with a certain body mass index might be more susceptible to medication-related weight gain.
- Pre-existing Conditions: People with diabetes, thyroid disorders, or other metabolic conditions might be more likely to experience weight changes.
- Other Medications: Interactions with other medications taken alongside Lexapro could affect weight.
Timeline of Weight Changes on Lexapro
Understanding when weight changes might occur can help you monitor your body's response to Lexapro and discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider. Weight changes typically develop gradually over time.
Read also: Learn about Wellbutrin and Lexapro
- First 2-4 weeks: Possible initial weight loss due to decreased appetite.
- 1-3 months: Weight often stabilizes as the body adjusts.
- 6+ months: Most weight gain occurs during this period.
- Long-term: Weight may continue to increase gradually if not managed.
It's important to remember that this timeline is not definitive. Some people might experience changes earlier or later, and others might not experience significant weight changes at all.
Lexapro Compared to Other Antidepressants
When considering Lexapro, it's helpful to understand how its weight gain potential compares to other antidepressant medications.
Weight gain experienced with Lexapro is generally less than that reported with other antidepressants such as paroxetine, mirtazapine, or doxepin.
Different classes of antidepressants have varying effects on weight. Some, like bupropion (Wellbutrin), are associated with weight loss rather than weight gain. Others, particularly certain tricyclic antidepressants and some atypical antidepressants, have higher risks of significant weight gain.
Lexapro and most other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are more likely to cause weight gain if you take them long term. However, when compared to other antidepressants, Lexapro falls into the moderate risk category, making it a reasonable choice for many people concerned about weight changes.
Read also: Does Lexapro Affect Weight?
Managing Weight While Taking Lexapro
If you're concerned about weight gain while taking Lexapro, several strategies can help you manage your weight. Be proactive and work with your healthcare team to develop a plan that works for your specific situation.
- Engage in regular physical activity: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week.
- Monitor your eating patterns and practice mindful eating.
- Stay hydrated and limit sugary drinks.
- Get adequate sleep, as poor sleep can affect weight regulation. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. Poor sleep can disrupt hormones that control hunger and satiety, making weight gain more likely. If you’re not sleeping well, consider these tips to improve your sleep hygiene:
- Design a consistent sleep-wake schedule and stick to it.
- Avoid alcohol, caffeine, heavy meals, vigorous exercise, and blue light-emitting technology close to bedtime, as these things can make it harder to fall asleep.
- Create a sleep-promoting environment in your bedroom, such as layered bedding, comfy pajamas, and white noise or blackout curtains if needed.
- Consider working with a registered dietitian for personalized nutrition advice.
- Track your weight regularly, but don't obsess over daily fluctuations.
When to Talk to Your Doctor
Open communication with your healthcare provider is essential when you're taking Lexapro, especially if you're concerned about weight changes. Your doctor can help you determine whether any weight changes you're experiencing are related to the medication or other factors.
If you start to have problems with your weight while taking escitalopram, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Don't wait until you've gained a significant amount of weight - it's better to address concerns early when they're easier to manage.
Your doctor might suggest adjusting your dose, switching to a different medication, or implementing specific lifestyle changes. They can also help you determine whether the benefits of continuing Lexapro outweigh the concerns about weight gain.
Remember, never stop taking Lexapro suddenly without talking to your doctor first. Abruptly stopping antidepressants can cause withdrawal symptoms and may cause your depression or anxiety to return. If weight gain is a significant concern, your doctor can help you develop a plan to address it while maintaining your mental health treatment.
Additional Strategies for Managing Weight on Lexapro
- Remember Small Weight Fluctuations Are Normal. If you’ve recently started taking Lexapro, it’s easy to get concerned when you step on the scale and see that you’re several pounds lighter or heavier than usual. But remember that it’s normal for your weight to fluctuate by a few pounds on a daily basis - whether or not you’re using Lexapro. Weight fluctuations can happen because of food intake, differences in hydration levels, and hormonal changes. Rather than getting discouraged by one day or week, focus on the long term instead. We don’t recommend weighing yourself every day, either. If you’re keeping track of your weight trends, consider switching to a once-a-week weight check instead.
- Eat a Healthy, Balanced Diet. Both depression itself and the effects of antidepressants can change your appetite and eating habits, causing you to eat less and lose weight, or eat more and gain weight. If you lost weight because depression took away your appetite, it’s to be expected that effective treatment with a medication like Lexapro will bring it back to its usual baseline. Even when you’re feeling depressed or anxious, try to maintain a balanced, healthy diet most of the time. While less healthy eating on occasion isn’t going to make or break you, do what you can to build most of your diet around nutrient-rich foods, including plenty of plant-based foods. Aim to incorporate foods such as:
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Whole grains
- Nuts and seeds
- Legumes and other lean proteinsAnd don’t forget about your snacks either. Consider swapping out your usual afternoon bag of chips for a healthy snack for weight loss instead.
- Adjust Food Intake to Maintain Target Weight. If you’re beginning to lose or gain too much weight while using Lexapro, try adjusting your calorie intake to bring your body weight either up or down toward your optimal weight. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has a body weight planner that you can use to calculate your target food intake based on your optimal weight, age, height, and activity level. It can also be helpful to meet with a registered dietitian nutritionist who can provide personalized guidance on calorie needs and how to satisfy hunger with nutrient-dense foods you enjoy.
- Follow Up With Your Healthcare Provider. It’s important to stay in contact with your provider regarding any side effects of Lexapro you’re experiencing, which include any changes in weight that are bothering you. Many people with depression experience unwanted changes in appetite and weight, and unfortunately, some medications for depression may also contribute to these issues. If you find it difficult to eat a normal amount while using Lexapro, don’t hesitate to talk to a healthcare professional. They may recommend adjusting your dosage or switching to a different treatment option for depression.
Living Successfully with Lexapro
Taking Lexapro successfully is about finding the right balance for your individual needs. While weight gain is a possible side effect, it's not inevitable, and there are many strategies you can use to minimize this risk while still getting the mental health benefits you need.
Focus on developing healthy habits that support both your mental and physical well-being. This includes regular exercise, nutritious eating, adequate sleep, and stress management. These lifestyle factors not only help with weight management but also support your overall mental health and can enhance the effectiveness of your medication.
Remember that treating depression or anxiety is a process, and it may take time to find the right approach for you. Be patient with yourself and maintain open communication with your healthcare team. They can help you navigate any challenges and adjust your treatment plan as needed.
Navigating Lexapro and Weight: Key Takeaways
Fluctuations in weight aren’t uncommon throughout various seasons of life, regardless of whether you’re experiencing depression or using an antidepressant medication like Lexapro. Still, that doesn’t mean it’s not frustrating when your pants don’t fit quite how you’d like them to. Because of the various factors involved in weight changes, there’s limited strong research on this topic. Most studies comparing the weight change side effects of antidepressants have not been able to appropriately control for all of the variables among the samples.
With that in mind, here’s what we can say when it comes to Lexapro and weight gain (or loss):
- Lexapro can affect appetite. Do you gain weight on Lexapro? For the most part, research suggests that any changes in your body composition or weight loss from Lexapro are mild, especially when compared to older antidepressants. However, that doesn’t mean that Lexapro weight gain or weight loss can’t happen, as we all respond to medications differently.
- Prioritize healthy habits. Steps like improving your diet, staying physically active, and getting enough sleep can help keep your appetite in check and support a healthy weight. Plus, these things are just good for your overall well-being and mental health, too.
- Express concerns to your provider. If you think you’re experiencing Lexapro weight gain or loss, it’s best to get medical advice from your mental health provider.