SSRIs, or selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors, are a type of drug used to treat mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. According to eMedTV, it is not known why some antidepressants cause weight gain and others don't. Also, the medication doesn't cause weight gain in everyone, so it's impossible to know the effect it will have on you until you start taking it. If you're experiencing weight gain or difficulty losing weight while on an SSRI, try looking for a solution as early as possible to prevent pounds from piling up.
Step 1
Talk to your doctor about switching to a different SSRI. According to Health Central, not all antidepressants in this category cause the same effects on weight. For example, paroxetine, or Paxil, is likely to cause the most weight gain, while sertraline (Zoloft) and fluoxetine (Prozac) seem to cause a smaller gain, according to Net Nutritionist. Ask your doctor about switching to a different type of antidepressant. For example, bupropion (Wellbutrin) is known to cause weight loss, rather than gain.
Step 2
Look for signs of hypoglycemia. According to Net Nutritionist, SSRIs seem to affect your blood sugar, causing headaches, increased appetite and weakness. This might lead you to eat more without even realizing it because your body is trying to compensate for the spike in blood sugar. If you have hypoglycemia, switch to eating more frequent but smaller meals. This will help you stabilize your blood sugar and control hunger, so you don't overeat.
Step 3
Make changes to your diet. According to Net Nutritionist, some antidepressants can cause you to crave carbohydrates. If you're trying to lose weight, eating lots of bread, pasta and sweets won't help. Instead, try looking for healthier, low-calorie alternatives to those foods. For example, try whole-wheat bread or rice cakes instead of white bread. Making these switches will allow you to satisfy cravings while facilitating weight loss.
Step 4
Exercise for at least 30 minutes every day. If you're already exercising and not losing weight, increase the workout to 60 minutes. You can also try making the workout more intense. For example, try riding your bike off-road rather than just taking a leisurely ride through city streets. The uneven terrain will increase resistance. For calorie burning, hiking is better than walking and step aerobics is better than yoga.
