Celexa (Citalopram) and Weight Gain

Celexa (Citalopram) and Weight Gain Depression Treatment Medication Print Celexa (Citalopram) and Weight Gain By Nancy Schimelpfening Nancy Schimelpfening, MS is the administrator for the non-profit depression support group Depression Sanctuary. Nancy has a lifetime of experience with depression, experiencing firsthand how devastating this illness can be. Learn about our editorial policy Nancy Schimelpfening Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on February 04, 2020 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on February 04, 2020 How Stress Impacts Your Health Overview Signs of Burnout Stress and Weight Gain Benefits of Exercise Stress Reduction Tips Self-Care Practices Mindful Living Nearly all antidepressants have the potential side effect of causing weight gainâ€"??including Celexa (citalopram), a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) similar to Prozac (fluoxetine) or Zoloft (sertraline). Even though research shows that in general, the amount of weight a person is likely to put on while taking Celexa or another SSRI tends to be minimal,?? for some folks seeing their weight creep up even a little bit can be bothersome. If youre one of them, it may be helpful to know that there are commonsense ways of dealing with weight gain while taking Celexa. Why SSRIs Like Celexa Cause Weight Gain Experts arent certain why SSRIs have the potential to put pounds on folks who take them. One theory is the drugs somehow affect the bodys metabolism so that it burns calories more slowly. Another is that SSRIs trigger an upsurge in appetite, causing a person to overeat. Another hypothesis why some folks gain weight while on  an SSRI  is that for them, depression is an appetite-killer: When theyre feeling low they dont eat and therefore lose weight. Once they begin taking medication that makes them feel better, their interest in food returns and they start to eat more and, naturally, put on some pounds. Sure they gain weight, but it may just be enough to return to their normal weightâ€"not to surpass a healthy number on the scale. How to Lose the Extra Weight If youve gained weight while taking Celexa and its enough to bother youâ€"despite whether the medication is relieving your depression symptoms or notâ€"talk to your doctor. Managing your weight while on an antidepressant really isnt that different from doing so when you arent. Just dont stop taking the drug. Going cold turkey off an SSRI can lead to discontinuation syndrome,?? an array of unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Here are other, less drastic, measures you can take to lose weight while on an antidepressant. Eat less. Notice where extra calories may be sneaking into your diet. Some typical culprits are soda and sugary carbs. Simply giving up these things or cutting back may be enough to help you lose weight. Your doctor can refer you to a nutritionist if you need help figuring out how to alter your daily diet.  Move more.  Join a gym or exercise class, invest in a snazzy new bike, or get a dogâ€"theres research showing that people who have one tend to get more exercise and be happier.?? Remember that besides burning calories, exercise can help to ease depression as well, so with this tactic, you get a twofer. If youre new to exercise, check with your doctor before you start just to make sure youre physically up to it.Change your medication.  Weight gain is more likely with some antidepressants than others.?? Its possible your doctor will be able to prescribe a new SSRI that doesnt make you put on pounds, or he may have you try a non-SSRI such as Wellbutrin (bupropion). A Word From Verywell If you are concerned that youve gained excessive weight while taking Celexa and havent been able to lose it on your own, talk to your doctor about the issue. Its possible that you can switch to a different medication with fewer weight-related side effects.