Lexapro, also known as escitalopram oxalate, is a drug prescribed to treat major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. According to the Lexapro website, patients are no more likely to gain weight on Lexapro than they are on a placebo. However, other sources, such as an article published in "Psychology Today" in May 2005, claim that Lexapro often causes weight gain.
How Lexapro Works
Lexapro is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, or SSRI, that works by blocking the brain's ability to reabsorb serotonin. This allows more serotonin to remain in the brain, which improves the brain's ability to send and receive chemical messages. This exchange of messages improves mood. SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants, according to MayoClinic.com, because they are effective for many patients and they do not cause as many side effects as other types of antidepressants.
Depression and Weight Gain
Depression often has an effect on the person's weight. Depressed people sometimes overeat to self-medicate and feel better, or their appetites are suppressed because of the depression. There is no evidence that depression changes metabolism, however. A study published in the April 2004 issue of "Psychiatry Research" found no evidence that people with depression secrete stress-related hormones such as cortisol that affect weight gain differently from nondepressed people, nor that they process food at a different rate. This means that the overeating or lack of eating is a probably a behavioral issue rather than a metabolic issue.
Lexapro and Weight Gain
SSRIs often have weight gain as a side effect. The reason for this gain is unclear, but some researchers, such as Charles Raison of Emory University, speculate that as people with depression begin to feel better, they eat more. There is no clear evidence that Lexapro causes weight gain by directly affecting the patient's metabolism, but it may cause increased weight gain among those who are already overweight and have resistance to insulin or leptin, hormones that affect the metabolic rate.
What to Do If You Gain Weight on Lexapro
If you gain weight while on Lexapro, you have options. You could ask your physician to change your medication, but keep in mind that all SSRIs work the same way and may cause weight gain. Switching to another kind of drug may help the weight gain, but it may not treat your depression as effectively. You can also ask your physician to help you with a diet and exercise plan that will help to prevent additional weight gain.
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