What Can I Take For Anxiety That Works Like Lexapro But Doesn’t Cause Weight Gain?"

Posted on Thu, 14 May 2020

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 14 May 2020 Answered on

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 Last reviewed on

Question : I’ve been on Lexapro 5 mg for two months. It has helped me so much with my anxiety but I have gained 7 lbs sadly. I am so much more upset now because I’d the weight gain. My doctor added Wellbutrin to help but it hasn’t helped with the weight at all. I don’t know what to do or take that will have similar experiences for me as Lexapro. I have tried zoloft in the past and it doesn’t help. What can I do?

Answered by Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
I think adding exercise will be much useful instead of medications

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

Thanks for using 'Ask a Doctor' service. I read your query and understand your concerns.

First of all I like to inform you that no medications are similar despite having same mechanism of action. However, Celexa (citalopram) is most close to Lexapro and can be used unless it was unsuccessful in past.

I do not see any value for Wellbutrin as it is weight neutral medication and rarely helps in decreasing the weight.

Practically speaking, I feel that addition of exercise will be the most viable step to offset the weight gain due to Lexapro. Fortunately Lexapro does not cause severe weight gain and change of life style is often sufficient to decrease weight. The change in life style includes restriction of high calorie diet and adequate exercise.

To be precise exercise of 45-60 minutes every day will be enough to loss that extra pounds and will also help you with anxiety symptoms.

I hope this answers your query. Feel free to write back to me if you have more questions. Thanks.

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar