Anti depression medications are drugs prescribed to treat depressive disorders such as major depression and pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder, or PMDD. In some people, anti-depressants can cause weight loss and appetite suppression, though they are rarely prescribed for this purpose alone. Understanding the risks and benefits of using anti depression medications for weight loss allows people to choose the most effective weight loss plan while minimizing the risk of harm.
Types
There are many different types of anti depression medications on the market today. SSRIs, or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, are the most popular due to their effectiveness and lower risk of side effects.
Atypical antidepressants such as bupropion are often used as a second-line treatment when SSRIs are ineffective, while tricyclic antidepressants, or TCAs, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or MAOIs, are used less frequently due to their lengthy side effect profiles.
Effects
The relationship between antidepressants and weight loss is complex and not well understood. According to the American Journal of Psychiatry, fluoxetine may cause weight loss initially, though this effect usually fades with prolonged treatment. Sertraline---another SSRI---has also been linked with weight loss, though it is more common in children and adolescents. E Med TV states that 7 percent of children and 2 percent of adolescents taking sertraline lost more than 7 percent of their total body weight. On average, adults who experience weight loss while taking sertraline lose only one or two pounds.
Side Effects
Like all drugs, anti depression medications can cause unwanted side effects. Paradoxically, antidepressants can cause weight gain in some people. According to Mayo Clinic, all antidepressants are capable of causing weight gain, though tricyclics and MAOIs are most likely to have this effect. Other possible side effects of anti-depressants from the SSRI family include headache, nausea and sexual problems such as erectile dysfunction or low libido. Discontinuation syndrome---a withdrawal-like condition---may occur when quitting antidepressants. Symptoms include worsening of anxiety and depression, flu-like symptoms and general malaise.
Safety Precautions
To reduce the risk of side effects, talk to your doctor before taking an anti depression medication for weight loss. Follow dosing directions carefully and tell your doctor about any supplements and medications you take before starting treatment. Avoid stopping your medication abruptly and report troubling side effects to a medical professional.
Considerations
Antidepressants are not considered a reliable weight loss aid in people without depression. To date, a healthy diet and regular physical activity are the only proven ways to lose weight and keep it off. A diet rich in lean meats, fruits, vegetables and whole grains combined with daily exercise helps to balance the amount of calories consumed and spent, which is the basis for healthy weight loss.
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