What Causes Weight Gain While On Anti-depressants?

Posted on Wed, 27 Apr 2016

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

Wed, 27 Apr 2016 Answered on

Fri, 17 Jun 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I have no energy and I've been gaining weight like over 60 pounds in less than a year. I'm on depression drug Pristiq and abilify. I was wondering if this may give my some energy to do my ADL's and clean and stuff.

Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (44 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Weight gain may be due to drugs or depression.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM.
I can understand your concerns.
The reasons for your weight gain could be either antidepressants or the depression itself. Decreased energy levels and decreased interest to do any work in depression leads to a sedentary lifestyle. This can cause depression.

If depression is the cause of your weight gain, the antidepressants will certainly lift your mood and energize you.

Anyhow, you need to be physically active to control your weight. A daily brisk walk of 20-30 will help.
Keep a check on your diet. Avoid fatty and junk food.

Hope this helps.
Feel free to discuss further.
Thanks.

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

Follow up: Dr. Shubham Mehta (5 hours later)

I have been walking about 1/2 to 1 mile a day. I am eating healthy. I have to make myself do anything. I have the energy to take a bath maybe twice a week. The depression medicine works because I don't sit around and cry all the time and I can make myself go to town and do my shopping. My problem is I have no energy to clean my house, have good hygiene, or play with my child. I'm not wanting a year supply. I just want to try this up to 3 months to see if it helps me. It is not normal to gain 60 pounds in less than a year. I try to eat healthy but nothing is working. Please help me out.

Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (14 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Metformin or topiramate.

Detailed Answer:
Hi again.
In such case, where the lifestyle modifications are helping you to loose your weight, drugs like metformin or topiramate can be used.
Metformin is an anti diabetic drug but helpful in reducing weight.
Topiramate is a mood stabilizer drug which causes weight loss. It will help you to lift your mood as well.

Kindly discuss this with your doctor.
Hope this helps.
Thanks.

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad