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Lose weight on paxil


Common questions about paroxetine - NHS

How does paroxetine work?

Paroxetine is one of a group of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These medicines are thought to work by increasing levels of a mood-enhancing chemical, called serotonin, in the brain.

When will I feel better?

You may not notice much improvement in your symptoms for a week or two, until paroxetine begins to take effect. It usually takes between 4 and 6 weeks before you feel the full benefits.

Do not stop taking paroxetine after a week or two just because you feel it is not helping your symptoms. Give the medicine at least 6 weeks to work.

How will it make me feel?

Antidepressants like paroxetine help to improve your mood, so you feel better. You may notice that you sleep better and get on with people more easily because you're less anxious. You will hopefully be more relaxed about things that used to worry you.

Paroxetine will not change your personality. It will simply help you feel like yourself again.

Do not expect to feel better overnight though. Some people feel worse during the first few weeks of treatment before they begin to feel better.

Are there any long-term side effects?

For most people, paroxetine is safe to take for a long time.

A few people may get sexual side effects, such as problems getting an erection or a lower sex drive. In some cases these can continue even after stopping the medicine. Speak to your doctor if you are worried.

Taking paroxetine for more than a year has also been linked to a small increased risk of getting diabetes. But you will be regularly checked for this.

Otherwise there do not seem to be any lasting harmful effects from taking paroxetine for many months and years.

How does paroxetine compare with other antidepressants?

Paroxetine is not any better or worse as a treatment than other SSRIs.

Some people respond to one SSRI better than to another, however, so talk to your doctor if you are not feeling any better after 6 weeks.

Are there other treatments that will help?

Antidepressants, including paroxetine, are just one of several approaches to treating depression or anxiety. Other potential treatments for these conditions include:

  • talking therapy (such as cognitive behavioural therapy)
  • exercise programmes
  • help to get a good night's rest if sleep is a problem
  • joining a self-help group
  • using relaxation techniques

Choosing a treatment that's most suitable for you depends on:

  • how long you've had depression or anxiety
  • your symptoms
  • whether previous treatment has worked
  • how likely you are to stick with your treatment
  • the potential side effects and your preferences and priorities.

If you're interested in any of these treatments, talk to your doctor.

Will I gain or lose weight?

Paroxetine can make you feel less hungry, so you may lose weight when you first start taking it. But once you have been taking it for a while you may gain a little weight as your appetite returns.

If you start to have problems with your weight while taking paroxetine, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Will it affect my sex life?

The good effects of paroxetine may, after a while, improve your sex life as your mood improves.

Some of the possible negative effects include:

  • painful erections, problems with getting an erection and problems with ejaculating
  • vaginal bleeding and not reaching orgasm the same way as before
  • a lower sex drive

Sexual side effects usually pass after the first couple of weeks. However, very rarely, they can be long lasting and may not get better even after stopping the medicine.

If these happen and are a problem for you, go back to your doctor to see if there's another treatment you can try.

Will it affect my contraception?

Paroxetine will not affect any type of contraception including the combined pill or emergency contraception.

However, if paroxetine makes you have severe diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, your contraceptive pills may not protect you from pregnancy. Check the pill packet to find out what to do.

Find out more about what to do if you're on the pill and you have diarrhoea.

Can I drive or ride a bike?

Some people cannot concentrate properly when they're taking paroxetine. If this happens, it might be best to stop driving, cycling or operating tools or machinery for the first few days until you know how this medicine makes you feel.

It's an offence to drive a car if your ability to drive safely is affected. It's your responsibility to decide if it's safe to drive. If you're in any doubt, do not drive.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you're unsure whether it's safe for you to drive while taking paroxetine. GOV.UK has more information on the law on drugs and driving.

Can I drink alcohol while taking paroxetine?

You can drink alcohol while taking paroxetine but it may make you feel sleepy. It might be best to stop drinking alcohol until you see how the medicine makes you feel.

Is there any food or drink I need to avoid?

Apart from not drinking alcohol if it makes you feel sleepy, there is no food or drink you need to avoid while taking paroxetine.

Will recreational drugs affect it?

Cannabis with paroxetine can give you a fast heartbeat. Cannabis can also make drowsiness worse with paroxetine.

Methadone can increase the risk of side effects in people taking paroxetine.

It can be potentially dangerous to take paroxetine with:

  • stimulants like MDMA (ecstasy) or cocaine
  • hallucinogens like LSD
  • novel psychoactive substances (which used to be known as legal highs) like mephedrone

Find out more the side effects of some recreational drugs on the Frank website.

Important: Important

Paroxetine has not been properly tested with recreational drugs. Talk to your doctor if you think you might use any recreational drugs while taking paroxetine.

Page last reviewed: 2 March 2022
Next review due: 2 March 2025

7 Ways to Lose Weight Gain Caused by Medication

Antidepressants and steroids like prednisone often lead to extra pounds.

People living with issues like autoimmune diseases, from Crohn’s to rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or mood disorders like depression have powerfully effective medications out there to help minimize or eliminate their symptoms so that they can live comfortably.

Yet some of the common drugs for these issues — like prednisone and other corticosteroids, and paroxetine (Paxil) and other antidepressants — have less-than-desirable side effects. One major side effect of these drugs is weight gain.

And while you should go easy on yourself — you’re battling an illness, after all — it can be a frustrating adverse effect.

Read on to find out the best ways to lose unwanted pounds brought on by medication you need.

Antipsychotic drugs, antidepressants, and mood stabilizers are common drugs that have the most potential to increase weight gain. All 12 of the leading antidepressants, including fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and escitalopram (Lexapro), make gaining weight more likely.

With approximately 13 percent of Americans currently taking antidepressants — and without medication options that don’t cause fluctuations in weight — a lot of people can’t avoid being put at higher risk for unhealthy weight gain.

Steroids like prednisone may also have similar effects. Alanna Cabrero, MS, a registered dietician at NYU Langone Health’s IBD Center, says steroids are often “used to tackle inflammatory conditions like IBD, Crohn’s, arthritis, lupus, and osteoarthritis.”

For some of these medications, nearly 70 percent of users reported weight gain as a side effect.

You might assume that you’d notice the pounds sliding on right away if your body is sensitive to this side effect. But a recent study found that isn’t the case. People taking antidepressants are most at risk for weight gain two to three years into treatment.

Medications that cause weight gain include:

  • Antidepressants, such as:
    • selective
      serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), including fluoxetine
      (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), escitalopram (Lexapro), citalopram (Celexa), and paroxetine (Paxil)
    • serotonin-norepinephrine
      reuptake inhibitors,
      including duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine
      (Effexor)
    • tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), including desipramine
      (Norpramin)
  • Corticosteroids, such as:
    • budesonide, including Pulmicort
      and Symbicort
    • prednisone
    • methylprednisolone
  • Drugs commonly
    prescribed for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia    , such as:
    • olanzapine
    • risperidone
    • quetiapine

Drugs like corticosteroids alter the body’s electrolyte and water balances, as well as metabolism.

“Drugs like steroids decrease the body’s flushing out of sodium,” explains Cabrero.

Many people taking steroids report increased fat in the abdomen, face, and neck. Even if you can control the steroid-driven weight gain, it’s possible to look heavier because of redistributed fat.

Antidepressant-induced weight gain is tied to appetite changes. “With medications for depression, increases in appetite occur. Generally, then, anything becomes a little bit more appetizing — and our cravings usually don’t fall under fruits and vegetables,” Cabrero points out.

If you want to lose a few extra pounds that you’ve put on since taking a weight gain-inducing medication, you’re already on the right track.

Armed with that knowledge that gaining weight is a potential side effect, you can make more conscious choices when it comes to meals and exercise.

“If you know that these medications have the potential side effect of weight gain, you can take the appropriate steps to be prepared,” says Cabrero.

Here are seven ways she recommends you take off — or fight off — unwanted pounds.

Avoiding too much sodium in your diet is smart for anyone looking to eat healthier. But patients on steroids or antidepressants might want to consider paying extra close attention.

That means avoiding processed foods, canned foods, and fast foods, since they’re often packed with sodium.

“Eight percent of our sodium intake comes from these foods,” says Cabrero. “The general population in the U.S. has 3,300 to 3,500 mg of sodium per day, when it should fall more around 2,300 mg. Reduce these foods that have naturally a ton of sodium.”

Cabrero recommends you learn how to read nutritional labels in order to understand what’s in your food.

To curb weight, use the same strategies you’d use to
control weight with or without the added effects of medication. Choose
low-calorie foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, eat fiber-rich and
slow-to-digest complex carbohydrates, and drink lots of water.

People taking antidepressants should also be aware of hyponatremia, which is low sodium in the blood. This is especially important in the first 28 days of starting antidepressants, as low sodium levels can lead to more severe health problems.

If you’ve been newly prescribed an antidepressant, your doctor should monitor you for signs of hyponatremia, including:

  • dizziness
  • nausea
  • lethargy
  • confusion
  • cramps
  • seizure

Your doctor can help you avoid hyponatremia.

Eating a potassium-rich diet is great for people who are looking to lose weight gained because of medication — potassium flushes out sodium. And a potassium-rich diet is linked to other health benefits, such as reduced blood pressure, protection against stroke, and osteoporosis prevention.

Potassium-rich foods include:

  • bananas
  • sweet potatoes
  • avocados
  • coconut water
  • spinach
  • black beans
  • edamame
  • potatoes
  • beets

Managing your condition is a priority, so there may not yet be any options that cause little to no weight gain.

Still, ask your doctor if there are any alternative medications or treatments that would maintain your health without the extra pounds.

For people on steroids, ask if going on the shortest, most effective dose is a possibility.

If you’re taking antidepressants, bupropion (Wellbutrin) may be less likely to cause weight gain.

Your appetite can increase while taking specific medications, so you may be tempted to eat more.

Instead of having three massive meals throughout the day, breaking up your food into smaller, more frequent meals can make you feel like you’re consuming more calories because you have little time between snacks to be hungry.

It’s recommended to stave off hunger by eating six small meals a day versus
three large ones.

Cabrero suggests you try to integrate nonstarchy veggies, or what she calls “volume-rich foods,” into your diet. “They’re nutritious and don’t have a lot of calories,” says Cabrero. Experiment beyond cut-up carrots: try veggie soups and salads.

Staying active is important for overall health as well as weight loss or maintenance. Depending on your level of health or current symptoms, you may want to consult your doctor first.

“Depending on what other symptoms are going on, physical activity is something to be sure to do,” says Cabrero. “You might not be as active as you were before, but light yoga, walking, or something along those lines helps to keep you mobilized and improves overall health.”

For people who have come off medication, intermittent fasting can be an effective way to lose weight, provided it’s recommended by your doctors.

“I usually suggest a gut rest. This is a 12-hour window when you don’t eat, which should start about 2 to 3 hours before bed,” says Cabrero. “A lot of times after dinner we end up snacking on foods that are not nutritious, nor are even related to hunger.”

A good night’s sleep can do wonders when you’re trying to lose weight, especially if you’re taking steroids for any condition.

“With steroid use, patients find that they won’t sleep well, and that increases your appetite for sugary foods because you need that energy burst,” says Cabrero.

Here are 10 ideas for natural ways to sleep better.

Meagan Drillinger is a travel and wellness writer. Her focus is on making the most out of experiential travel while maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Her writing has appeared in Thrillist, Men’s Health, Travel Weekly, and Time Out New York, among others. Visit her blog or Instagram.]

How to lose weight while taking antidepressants?

#1

#5

#6

Good for depression

#7

Olga

Good afternoon. I have been taking antidepressants for three years now. On the contrary, I lost 20 kg. Antidepressants do not have the side effect of weight gain. I asked my psychotherapist.

#8

Diana

The author, I'm sorry for the question. What is the name of the drug?

#9,0005

#10

AMIRIPTILIN

# 11

#12

Guest

You need to switch to another drug. Some drugs promote weight gain such as remeron, amitriptyline, paxil.
And some for weight loss such as Fluoxetine, Ixel, Cymbalta.
Talk to your doctor about switching to another antidepressant.

#13

Guest .
True, it costs somewhere around 3900 for a month of admission.

#14

Guest

What is your dosage of amitriptyline? How much per day do you take? November 16, 2020 He (the doctor) really does not like amateur performances terribly. His opinion is the only true)

#16

#17

50 mg, tablet in the morning and evening.

#18

#19

Guest

Then change the doctor, this is unacceptable. does nothing. If you take it, you will definitely earn type 2 diabetes for yourself. Then you will take metformin all your life and go on a diet. November 16, 2020 Are they not accepted by the course?

#21

Guest

We have the only psychiatrist on campus. I must go to Nizhny Novgorod. My mom is diabetic and it's scary.

#22

Guest

This is a very small dose of amitriptyline. Its full antidepressant effect starts from 150 mg.
At these dosages, it has a very weak effect.
If it helps you in such ultra-low dosages, then you have mild depression.
Normal doctors prescribe amitriptyline only for severe depression. The dosages there are appropriate.
In your case, you need to change this drug, any antidepressant in therapeutic dosages will be stronger than 50 mg of amitriptyline.
But I would change the same doctor, because 50 mg of amitriptyline and without first trying drugs of the SSRI class could only be prescribed by a not very competent doctor

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    November 17, 2020 10:49 am0004

    #24

    Guest

    In general, when taking amitriptyline, a patient prone to weight gain should adhere to a strict diet.
    You need to count calories and not exceed your daily requirement. And it is better to have a small deficit (200-400 kilo calories). It is necessary to completely eliminate foods with a high glycemic index and limit foods with an average.
    Preference should be given to lean meat, fish - you need more protein less carbohydrates. From carbohydrates - buckwheat, cabbage, brown rice (normal should be severely limited).
    No sweets, bread, potatoes, sweet fruits, sugar, sweet drinks, honey, etc.

    #25

    #26

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    #27

    9000 #28

    Olga

    Good afternoon. I have been taking antidepressants for three years now. On the contrary, I lost 20 kg. Antidepressants do not have the side effect of weight gain. I asked my psychotherapist.

    #29

    Guest

    AMIRIPTILIN

    #30 9000 I can say for sure that they are recovering from them and all of my friends have encountered this. It's just that everyone has their own set of weights. Personally, I have 7 kg for all these years. Gradually.

    #31

    in yourself? or some other reason, don't you think?

    #33

    Julia

    The therapist told me that the weight gain is not from the drugs themselves, but from food, and when taking certain antidepressants, appetite increases. It seems to me that in addition to appetite, the metabolism also slows down and it is more difficult to lose weight, so it is important to monitor nutrition. And regular physical loads never interfere, they also help to cope with depression, if it is not too strong.

    #34

    Olga

    Good afternoon. I have been taking antidepressants for three years now. On the contrary, I lost 20 kg. Antidepressants do not have the side effect of weight gain. I asked my psychotherapist.

    #35

    Olga

    Good afternoon. I have been taking antidepressants for three years now. On the contrary, I lost 20 kg. Antidepressants do not have the side effect of weight gain. I asked my psychotherapist.

    #36

    Guest

    Hello. This is an excerpt from the annotation - "On the part of the digestive system: nausea, heartburn, vomiting, gastralgia, increased or decreased appetite (increase or decrease in body weight), stomatitis, change in taste, diarrhea, darkening of the tongue; rarely - impaired liver function, cholestatic jaundice, hepatitis." You just got lucky apparently)

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    #37

    Olga

    Good afternoon. I have been taking antidepressants for three years now. On the contrary, I lost 20 kg. Antidepressants do not have the side effect of weight gain. I asked my psychotherapist.

    #38

    Olga

    Good afternoon. I have been taking antidepressants for three years now. On the contrary, I lost 20 kg. Antidepressants do not have the side effect of weight gain. I asked my psychotherapist.

    #39

    Olga

    Good afternoon. I have been taking antidepressants for three years now. On the contrary, I lost 20 kg. Antidepressants do not have the side effect of weight gain. I asked my psychotherapist.

    #40

    Guest

    What is your dosage of amitriptyline? How much per day do you take?

    #41

    Olga

    Good afternoon. I have been taking antidepressants for three years now. On the contrary, I lost 20 kg. Antidepressants do not have the side effect of weight gain. I asked my psychotherapist.

    #42

    Guest

    AMIRIPTILIN

    attention

    Rapid weight loss - Neurology - 17.02.2015

    /

    anonymous, Male, 28 years old

    Hello, dear Mikhail Andreevich! I have a question for you, tell me in November 2014 the first strong pas happened within 2 days with a frequency arose pa barely survived these two days, went to a neurologist, did an MRI of the brain, blood vessels, neck, no pathologies were found, only they put cervical osteochondrosis protrusion 0.2 mm . The neurologist diagnosed somatoform dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system, pa, permanent paroxysmal course. Against the background of the stress experienced from pa, I lost 5-6 kg before the first dose of paxil (my weight was up to pa 91kg height 172cm) took Paxil at a dosage of 20mg per day. It got better, I decided to quit taking Paxil, but then again there was some kind of tension in the body and nervousness, the weight stayed within 86 kg, then again it began to fall to 82, I started taking Paxil again and now I take Paxil half, but the weight still drops by 700-800 grams per night . I am on a diet because of gastritis, I eat everything only for a couple. Tell me, is it possible that I lose so much because of neurosis or is it something else ??

    Answered by Yablonsky Mikhail Andreevich

    neurologist

    Hello, neurotic disorders can be accompanied by weight loss. However, taking antidepressants, including paroxetine (Paxil), is rarely accompanied by an increase rather than a decrease in body weight. Most likely, this is the effect of your diet.

    anonymous

    Thank you very much for your reply. This means that Paxil is also partially involved in weight loss. This conclusion does not follow from my answer. Thinking disorders?

    anonymous

    I didn’t seem to notice any disturbance in thinking, but my memory was bad since childhood, in mathematics, physics, chemistry, Russian and literature I always had a score of 2. You just wrote to me: “however, taking antidepressants, including paroxetine (paxil ), in rare cases accompanied by an increase rather than a decrease in body weight. So I concluded that when taking paxil, weight can also decrease, I even asked my wife to also read your answer, it seems that they agreed that it can also give the effect of partially reducing weight. I would be grateful if you could explain in more detail.

    Yablonsky Mikhail Andreevich

    In paroxetine, raising body weight is a rare undesirable phenomenon of taking paroxetine (according to American instructions - frequency

    Anonymously

    Thank you!

    Yablonsky Mikhail Andreevich

    for health.

    ANT Woman, 32 years old)

    Weakness anxiety sudden weight loss

    Good afternoon already more than three months ago there was severe fatigue, weakness, anxiety appeared and she lost a lot of weight. ...

    anonymous (Male, 23 years old)

    How to solve the problem of sudden weight loss

    Hello, I have a question. First of all, a significant weight loss (since August last year, I lost 20 kg). Other complaints: - bloating - severe heaviness after eating in the epigastrium -...

    anonymous (Male, 23 years old)

    How to solve the problem of sudden weight loss

    Hello, such a question. First of all, a significant weight loss (since August last year, I lost 20 kg). Other complaints: - bloating - severe heaviness after eating in the epigastrium -...

    anonymous (Female, 33 years old)

    Sudden weight loss

    Hello, tell me please, my name is Galina, I'm 33 years old, I have such a problem, I started losing weight abruptly, there were no health problems, I can't understand why I I'm losing weight, despite the fact that the food is normal.

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