Do antidepressants play a role in the number of calories I burn?
Asked by anonymous on Jun 24, 2009
in Health Conditions
I feel like I have gained weight because of antidepressants. If given the choice to be happy or fat, I would choose happy and so coming off is not an option. Is it still possible for me to be successful at losing weight by just counting calories?
Answer
Certain medications used to treat mood disorders, like bipolar disorder and depression, are associated with mild to significant weight gain in some people. Those medications are Clozaril (clozapine), Seroquel (quetiapine), Zyprexa (olanzapine), Risperdal (risperidone), Nardil (phenelzine) and Paxil (paroxetine). The weight gain seems to be related to overeating not to a change in the number of calories burned. Other antidepressants are weight neutral or may have a mild weight loss effect. They are Celexa (citalopram), Effexor (venlafaxine) and Wellbutrin (bupropion). Share your concerns about weight with your doctor who may change your medication or adjust the dose. Either way, you should be able to lose weight by counting your calories.
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