Replies To: Zoloft weight gain

Bruno says

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 19:43:27 -0800

I have gained several pounds on zoloft and have only been on it for like 4 months. Further, it has increased my appetite and I wake up several times a night to eat!! I am on zoloft for anxiety issues and have always ate very healthy so my weight gain is not related to me not eating right before the med and now eating right because i feel better (which I have not really felt better, just helped with anxiety a little bit). While many people might think just stope eating and control your appetite to not gain more weight it must be noted that if I do not eat a lot and often, this med causes me to feel bad. I read that it has something to due with the sertonin and it maming the brain need more glucose. I dont know though. I just hate these damned side effects. Wish I never got started and these drugs!!

Verwon says

Wed, 22 Aug 2007 19:00:16 -0800

Yes, weight gain is a normal side effect of most SSRI antidepressants.

There are two reasons for this, one is the effects of the drug on your body and the second is due to the fact that some people who suffer from depression and other mental illness issues, do not eat properly and when these drugs help them to feel better, they find their appetite returning and their eating habits improving.

The good news is that the weight gain is not severe and you weight will not continue to go up indefinitely as long as you eat a well balanced diet.

I have been on it, at varying doses, for several years now, I gained 20 pounds when I was on 250mgs, but since settling down to 100mgs as my regular dose, I lost 10 pounds of that.

Hotgeek says

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 17:57:19 -0800

I found it is almost impossible to lose weight when you are on Zoloft. When I go off Zoloft, my weight falls quite easily. But when I go back on, I do experience weight gain.