The 100-Calorie Secret - Never Diet Again!

Struggling to lose weight and not getting anywhere, maybe  it's your prescription medications? Numerous drugs have been associated with unusual weight gain. These include the well known steroids, estrogen's and birth control medications as well as a few antibiotics(sulfa, Bactrim, Levoquin) and pain medication. However psychoactive drugs, especially anti-depressants  have been  associated with weight gain to far greater degree. Starting with mono amine oxidase inhibitors (Parnate and Nardil) and remeron. Some of the newer psychoactive drugs have less associated weight gain. Zoloft, Prozac and effexor are well known for their weight gain potential. Paxil may be the most significant weight inducer in this group. Wellbutin, not an SSRI is associated with weight loss as is lexapro. 's not possible to predict who's most likely to gain weight from taking antidepressants. However, recent research has shown that people who gain weight within  the first  few weeks more commonly have weight gain  latter on during the treatment.  Many factors can be associated with the weight gain, including improving mood,  and increasing appetite as well as reductions in metabolism. 

Depression in it self can cause weight gain, so maybe its not the medications at all.  It is clearly a problem with the majority of anti depressant drugs. It does not occur for everyone, but when it does it can be very significant. Overall, its estimated that the chance of gaining significant weight gain with anti depressants is about 25%.

What to do?
Keeping in mind that everyone responds to these drugs differently, switching from one to the other often can lessen the weight gain problems. Paxil has the most problems among SSRI's while Zoloft has the least.  Recent evidence suggesting adding small doses of seizure drugs such as Topomax or a drug used for alcoholism,-naltrexone may lessen the problem.

Other means to prevent weight gain may simply be adding the same modalities people without depression use to treat their obesity. This includes limiting high calorie foods, especiallly carbs, as well as exercising. Exercise, especially has great benefits for depression.