Celexa, weight loss, PDD

[Celeste]

I was just given celexa for anxiety and PPD, i am worried about weight gain. Anyone experience weight loss or gain on celexa. I was given 20 mg.

[Bangalee]

Celexa has not made me lose or gain any weight. I'm on 40 mg of Celexa and 300 mg of Wellbutrin. Neither have made me gain weight.

However Zyprexa and Risperidal made me gain 25 lbs. in one month, so approach these with caution if your doctor prescribes either of them!

[Meerkat]

Nope, Nothing lost, nothing gained. Same-old same-old. Stuck at 180, which is about ten more than I care for. Just a tad sluggish in the benzene-ring around the waistline, and a mite sweaty at times, but hardly cause for alarm. Blood-pressure hunkies too and sleeping like a log. Just positively could not be feeling better. Wife and kids doing dandy too, Thanks!

[tara]

I started on celexa at 10mg and went up to 20mg and has lost about 12 lbs and may have been 10pounds overweight. I think its because celexa keeps me from impulsive eating and emotional eating that i have done in the past.

[Celeste]

Thanks Tara for your comment. I agree with you, since I have been on celexa I have found that my emotianal and impulsive eating has decresed.

[Jenny]

I have been on Celexa for about a month now and I have lost about 10 lbs. I have absolutely no appetite at all. The only reason I eat is to keep from getting a headache. Alot of people say that they have gained weight but that is not the case for me. I have lots of energy, I have lost weight, and overall I feel great!

[Meerkat]

Hi Jenny,
My doc explained it as follows:

If you condition caused you to 'stuff' your depression by overeating, nervous snacking and sugar-cravings, then you'll probably healthily lose a couple of pounds when on meds. Which is generally good as long as it does not develop into an eating disorder. Combine good exercise with a lot of Omega-3 rich diet and you'll be fine.

If your condition caused you to under-eat, you'll likely gain a couple of healthy ones as you recover from depression. If you keep up a modest exercise discipline, the weightgain will be reflected in better muscle-tissue and tone instead of body-fat.
Either way, you win and as long as you keep listening to your body, you'll keep winning.
Cheers,
Meerkat.

[Glenn]

I was wondering if I am losing weight because of celexa (15 pounds). I've been proscribed celexa for panic disorder and have been on it for 3 months. Was on prozac for 8 yrs at 10mg before that. My weight is staying at 180lbs. Nothing has change regarding my diet and exercise. It's the only reason I can think of, unless I am sick with something else? I still have no say with nocturnal panic. I wake up in the morning starving for breakfast. Does anybody else?

PS. Look better in the mirror. Spare tire is gone!

[Michelle]

I have lost weight on Celexa, and it worries me. I'm 4' 11", and my normal weight range is 100 - 110 pounds. 98 pounds is okay for me, since I have a tiny frame. But I just bought a scale, and I weigh 92.2 lbs. I had some appetite loss in the beginning, but now my normal appetite is back. I have a very high metabolism, and tend to eat a lot, and often not the best diet, either. I was on Prozac a long time ago, and I lost weight on that, too. Last time I saw my psychiatrist, he didn't think it was from the Celexa, but I don't think it could be anything else. Since I just got the scale, I'm going to monitor it for a while and see what happens. I'm really not happy with my weight right now, and if I can get between 95 - 98, that would be great. I'm on 30 mg, right now, and I'm not sure if this will go up or not.

[Meerkat]

Hi Michelle,
I went back on 10mg citalopram after having been off it for several months. I guess SAD is kicking in again since I now have to go into work at dark and generally don't come out until it is dark again. In any case, I noticed a very slight drop in weight as I'm regularly weighing myself every morning. On average between a pound or two. I don't worry about it since I can miss it easily (I'm about twice your weight), but I also noticed a distinct change in my appetites. I can't seem to stomach carbs and I have intense cravings for yoghurt, buttermilk and cheeses. I'm not complaining, since it is a huge improvement over my previous intake and I feel a lot better on it, but I do think that citalopram has something to do with it. About 90% of serotonin affects your digestion and metabolism, so that should be no surprise. If you're worried about losing too much, try something with more proteins, so that you can beef up your muscle tissue a bit. That's a healthy way to gain some weight.
Just my $0.02
Best regards
Meerkat

[MML]

I lost 10 pounds when i was on celexa for about 3 or 4 months. The bad thing is when i came off it i gained 15 pounds in a matter of weeks. do you think it's because i was not ready to come off. i know i need something again and my doc is presprebing celexa again. i am worried i will have the same problem. any thoughts?>

[Ezin]

The rapid weight gain experienced by some individuals upon the withdrawal of the drug, is a known and described phenomenon.

[Charlene]

Walmart and Giant Eagle have a new generic prescription plan. There is a list of qualifying generics and the cost is $4.00 Celexa(generic)is on the list. For someone who has no insurance that is a bargain. Check with your physican to see if your prescription is avaliable. Even with co-pay it may be cheaper. ( they get no kick back from either business) So you help no one but your self.

[Meerkat]

I will not shop at Wall-Mart, but more and more big-boxers are adopting this construction.
The Big Pharma's are pushing this approach for the more commonly used meds that have run out of their patent-date and thus have become far less profitable to them. It's their way of undercutting a more comprehensive Healthcare provisioning system. It's okay to use this construction, but just know that you'll be playing into the hands of those who want to keep the US healthcare system, as bad and as costly as it is to the consumer, but as profitable it is to the providers, as it is.
Just my $0.02
Meerkat

[seattle_lady]

after speaking to doctor about weight gain fear related to anti- Ds, learned about Cellexa & potential for weight loss or gain. THANKFULLY, I have lost about 7-8 pounds within 2 weeks. Prior to taking meds, I was jogging 3 miles a day for depression, yet, both depression and weight remained static

[sll04]

I just started taking Celxa and feeling a bit jittery. Does this decrease with time? Also, I was on Paxil previously and it caused me to gain 30lbs. I definantly don'tr need to gain more, but this medication (Celexa) seems to decrease my appetite and give me energy.

[cricket34]

Meerkat, thanks for your advice about eating more protein. I've lost about 15 pounds since starting Celexa last March, and I'm continuing to lose. I want to exercise and eat healthy but really can't afford to keep dropping the pounds!

[Anna]

I have been on Celexa for almost three years, (Have bounced between 20 mg-40mg)and it has made me gain a little over 50 pounds. My doc won't take me off of it, even with the weight gain because it is helping out in the other areas it is meant for.

[Sunny One]

I started citalopram 7 days ago. 20mg. I have never taken perscriptions of any sort before. I do smoke marijuana daily, a puff or two in the morning and then at night, generally no more but stopped the pot to try these meds. I don't like the meds and want to quit now cold turkey. It's only been 7 days so I thought it wouldn't be bad with the side effects that I've read may happen. I have experienced nausea, a bit of diahrea, tiredness and loss of appetite. I felt on the second day a burst of energy but mostly feel tired now. My doc eagerly perscribed them to me even after I told him I didn't want to take any meds. I broke down and thought I'd try. Since then I've been researching alternatives. I'd rather feel the ups and downs I guess than the flatness I've been feeling the last few days.

[dana]

I have been taking citalopram for almost a month. I have never taken mood meds before and I didn't really know what the side effects would be. I just started reading up on them right now. I have noticed that my mood swings are lightening up and my level of stress has greatly decreased. My appetite is not nearly what it was and I have lost about 3-4 pounds this month. Yeah! I had no idea that this medication would affect my eating habits. The negative side effect that I have noticed is that I feel very tired most of the time and I have not had the energy to go to the gym.