Antidepressants and Weight Gain

A common impact of depression is increased comfort food eating. This leads to weight gain. But could it be that antidepressants also increase weight? If so which ones? Yes, for women, some antidepressants lead to weight gain. Studies have shown Paxil to lead to a weight gain of about 5-6 pounds. Prozac may lead to a very slight weight loss. Welllbutrin is associated with a weight loss of 5 pounds. Keep in mind that these are not large amounts and can be kept lower through good diet and regular exercise. It is more important to have an antidepressant that works well for you when you are having a major depression. If it is a milder depression, diet and exercise may be all you need. For more information on these studies, see www.womensmentalhealth.org.

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