But if you observe a weight gain while on antidepressants and worry about it, there is great news for you. This weight can be managed and reversed if you follow certain measures. Keep reading to know what they are and what you need to do for effective weight loss. SSRIs are antidepressants that inhibit the functioning of serotonin (a chemical produced in the brain that affects the way you feel). This may cause weight gain in the presence of a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, and a Western diet (2). Diet plays a key role in losing weight after antidepressant use. We take you through the dietary changes you can make in the next section. Read on!
Role Of Diet In Reversing Weight Gain Due To Antidepressants
The weight gain caused by antidepressants may be reversible to some extent. A diet high in fruit and vegetables may help you lose and maintain weight. A study suggests that substituting carbohydrates and fat with protein and increasing the intake of low-fat dairy may help in losing weight (3). Hence, maintaining a healthy diet is crucial. But, consult a doctor before starting a new diet. Maintaining a proper diet to lose weight is only a job half done. It should always be complemented with physical exercise. Keep scrolling to know more.
Role Of Exercise In Reversing Weight Gain Due To Antidepressants
Exercise plays a key role in not only losing weight but also maintaining it. Research suggests that people who exercise twice or thrice a week experience significantly lesser depression, anger, and stress (4). You can start your exercise regimen by walking, a 15-minute jog, brisk walking, and yoga. Gradually increase the exercise duration, which will help you maintain the lost weight. An hour of exercising (especially in the morning) may help boost your mood. However, make sure you also follow a balanced diet. A few antidepressants may cause weight gain during or after treatment. Let’s have a look at the common antidepressants that may cause weight gain.
Common Antidepressants That May Cause Weight Gain
1. Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)
A few examples of TCAs are:
Amitriptyline Nortriptyline Imipramine Desipramine Dosulepin Doxepin Clomipramine
Use of TCAs may lead to a minor weight gain between 1 and 5 kg (5).
2. Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)
A few types of MAOIs that may cause an upswing in weight include:
Isocarboxazid Phenelzine Tranylcypromine Moclobemide
Use of MAOIs may result in a weight gain of 1-5 kg (5).
3. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
SSRIs may result in weight gain when they are taken for extended durations. The commonly used SSRIs are:
Citalopram Fluoxetine Paroxetine Sertraline Escitalopram
Use of SSRIs may increase bodyweight by 1 to 5 kg (5).
4. Serotonin And Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
This class of antidepressants is also used to treat anxiety and chronic pain (long term), specifically nerve pain. A few examples of SNRIs are:
Duloxetin Venlafaxine Levomilnacipran Milnacipran Desvenlafaxine
Use of SNRIs may see bodyweight go up by 1-2 kg (5).
5. Other Antidepressants
Use of the antidepressants listed below for extended periods may induce weight gain:
Trazodone Nefazodone Mirtazapine Maprotiline Mianserin
These medications may make your bodyweight shoot up by 1-5 kg (5). Depression is hard to deal with. But, the right medication can help you combat it effectively. However, you should also consider other options that may help you deal with depression. Read on to know more!
Other Options For Treating Depression
1. Yoga
Research suggests that yoga is an effective option for reducing depression (6). Start by doing basic asanas for a few minutes a day before moving to more advanced poses and increasing the duration slowly.
2. Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy uses essential oils that are applied to the skin or inhaled. It has the potential to ease the symptoms of depression. Aromatherapy massage has been shown to be more beneficial than inhalation aromatherapy for treating depression (7).
3. Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy (talk therapy) involves talking to a therapist regularly. It is a reliable treatment option for people with mild to moderate major depression. In fact, it has been found to be just as effective as antidepressants in these cases (8). Is there a way for people who are on antidepressants to avoid weight gain? We discuss this in the next section.
How To Avoid Weight Gain When Taking Antidepressant Medication
1. Follow Timely Eating
Planning and timely eating of meals help avoid unnecessary calorie intake. Research shows that this can effectively help manage obesity and maintain weight (9). Plan your meals a day in advance and avoid binging on processed or ready-to-eat foods.
2. Include More Protein In Your Diet
Antidepressants may increase hunger and induce craving for carbohydrates (10). Taking more dietary protein may significantly promote weight loss, satiety, beneficial changes in body composition, and reduce food cravings (11). Hence, include protein sources like peanut butter, soy, tofu, chickpeas, and lentils in your meals.
3. Get Sound Sleep
Sleep deprivation may lead to weight gain (12). Therefore, sleeping for a minimum of 8 hours may prevent this change in weight. Avoid daytime naps as it they can affect the sleep quality during the night. If you are habituated to daytime naps, make sure their duration is less than 20 minutes. Also, do not take more than two naps a day.
4. Exercise Regularly
Exercising regularly helps accelerate weight loss, maintain weight, and promote overall health (13). Try switching between different exercises like brisk walking, steps climbing, and jogging to avoid monotony. Start with simple exercises and slowly extend their duration.
5. Increase Fluid Intake
Adequate fluid intake may support weight loss by promoting lipolysis (fat loss) and decreasing food intake (14). But, avoid drinking store-bought fruit juices as they are filled with sugar. But, avoid drinking store-bought fruit juices as they are filled with sugar. Instead, try fresh buttermilk, coconut water, fresh juices, and infused waters with lemon, cucumber, or berries. Although some antidepressants might promote weight gain, they are often effective in treating depression. Common antidepressants that may lead to weight gain include SSRIs, MAOs, TCAs, and SNRIs. However, you can partially reverse this weight gain by eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly. It is also feasible to prevent weight gain due to antidepressants by following some simple guidelines such as eating on time, eating enough protein, getting adequate sleep, doing daily exercise, properly hydrating the body, and avoiding junk and processed food. Before making any changes to your medicines, diet, or physical activity, speak with your doctor. Can you take fat burners while on antidepressants? After stopping the use of antidepressants, your body slowly readjusts to the change. You may see slight weight loss. However, it should be coupled with a healthy diet and an active lifestyle to speed up weight loss. Do appetite suppressants work with antidepressants? Maybe not. Appetite suppressants control your hunger pangs. However, they may interfere with the activity of your antidepressants. Consult your doctor before taking any supplements. Can you take fat burners while on antidepressants? Maybe not. Fat burners increase your resting metabolic rate. However, the ingredients in these supplements may interfere with the activity of your antidepressants. Consult your doctor before taking any supplements. Do appetite suppressants work with antidepressants? Maybe not. Appetite suppressants control your hunger pangs. However, they may interfere with the activity of your antidepressants. Consult your doctor before taking any supplements.
