Lexapro, the name brand of the drug escitalopram, is a medication used to treat depression and generalized anxiety disorder. Lexapro belongs to a class of antidepressant medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. SSRIs like Lexapro help relieve depression and anxiety by increasing your brain's levels of serotonin, although they can also cause side effects such as sexual dysfunction and appetite changes.
Lexapro and Weight Gain
As with many antidepressants and SSRIs in particular, increased appetite and resulting weight gain is a side effect of Lexapro. Therefore, if you experience weight loss after discontinuing Lexapro, you may just be losing the weight you gained as a side effect of taking the medication. While quitting Lexapro may result in weight loss, it's important to talk to your doctor before you stop taking Lexapro. If you've gained weight on Lexapro and this is a concern, your doctor may be able to recommend another antidepressant that is less likely to cause weight gain as a side effect, such as bupropion or venlafaxine. Other tips for avoiding weight gain on antidepressants include keeping a food diary to prevent mindless snacking and getting regular exercise most days of the week.
Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome
Weight loss after Lexapro may also indicate antidepressant discontinuation syndrome. Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome may occur if you abruptly stop taking an antidepressant, particularly if you've been on it for longer than six weeks. Weight loss may occur with ADS due to appetite disturbances caused by ADS. You may also lose weight after you stop taking Lexapro too quickly as an indirect result of ADS, as ADS may cause a return of depression and its accompanying symptoms, which may include appetite loss and resulting weight loss. Other symptoms of ADS include anxiety, dizziness, fatigue, headaches, insomnia and irritability. To prevent ADS, your doctor may recommend that you taper off Lexapro treatment over a period of six to eight weeks.
Unintentional Weight Loss
While discontinuing Lexapro may contribute to weight loss, unintentional weight loss after Lexapro may be unrelated to Lexapro use. In addition to depression, other possible causes of unintentional weight loss include smoking, drug abuse, hyperthyroidism, eating disorders and diseases such as AIDS or cancer. Since unexplained weight loss may be caused by a serious underlying problem, it's important to contact a health care provider if you or a loved have lost more than 5 percent of your normal body weight in six-to-12 months or less. You should also see your doctor if your unintentional weight loss is accompanied by other symptoms.
Managing Depression After Lexapro
Regardless of whether you stopped taking Lexapro because of the side effects or for another reason, it's critical that you learn how to manage your depression after you stop taking medication in order to prevent depression symptoms from returning. Exercise is particularly important for coping with anxiety and depression as it causes your brain to release mood-boosting neurotransmitters and endorphins. Getting at least 30 minutes of exercise on three to five days out of the week can significantly reduce depression symptoms. Some other methods of managing depression without medication include sunlight exposure, psychotherapy, meditation and eating serotonin-enhancing foods such as fish and turkey.
References
- PubMed Health: Escitalopram
- MayoClinic.com; Antidepressants: Get Tips to Cope With Side Effects; December 2010
- "American Family Physician"; Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome; C. Warner, et al.; August 2006
- MedlinePlus: Weight Loss -- Unintentional
- "Psychology Today"; 11 Natural Treatments For Depression: An MD's Tips For Skipping The Prozac; L. Rankin; March 2011
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