Weight Gain with Zoloft

Posted by pljauthor @pljauthor, Jun 26 9:49am

Is there any way to curtail the weight gain with Zoloft? So far, it's the best antidepressant that has worked for me, but I gained 5 lbs the first week on was on it!

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elke1211 | @elke1211 | Jun 27 6:55am

I could be water weight? I haven’t had that issue. Maybe if you take with food and drink 20 ounces of water with it?

annewoodmayo | @annewoodmayo | Jun 27 7:23pm

I gained weight while on Zoloft, too, so you are not alone! Maybe try more physical activity? Just an idea. I think the Zoloft slowed all of my metabolism.

Last year I went to a nutritionist who pointed out that eating at night can add pounds. I took that advice and lost some weight and kept most of it off. I eat dinner earlier and in the evenings I drink water or decaf tea or a big glass of low fat milk.
Good luck to you 🙂

pljauthor | @pljauthor | Jun 28 6:31am

Sounds like great advice! I'll give it a try.

elisabeth007 | @elisabeth007 | Jun 29 8:02pm

In reply to @elke1211 "I could be water weight? I haven’t had that issue. Maybe if you take with food..." + (show)

Zoloft i think lists as known side effects “weight gain”. It totally established my “set point” and i’m still trying to lose the 10–15 pounds i gained ff
taking zoloft. Im also trying to get my pre-diabetes condition that suddenly emerged —1under control. I wish would have talked to my dr sooner about taking me off zoloft. I have never had a problem with water weight unless i eat chinese food

elisabeth007 | @elisabeth007 | Jun 29 8:04pm

In reply to @annewoodmayo "I gained weight while on Zoloft, too, so you are not alone! Maybe try more physical..." + (show)

why not consider talking to your dr about a substitute drug that doesn’t have known adverse effect of weight gain?

elke1211 | @elke1211 | Jun 30 10:40am

In reply to @elisabeth007 "why not consider talking to your dr about a substitute drug that doesn’t have known adverse..." + (show)

You are right. It’s not all that common to gain on SSRI meds. I believe 1-6% is the average in those prone. (Directly and indirectly from the medication). As a psych professional I haven seen as much as with anti psychotics which can be 10-50 pounds on average. Wellbutrin is thought to cause least chance of weight gain. Everyone is different though, you’re right. Could try a different SSRI like Prozac or SNRI like viibryd. Talk to doc. It could be life style issue like sleep, exercise, feeling hungry when not depressed. The body is a mysterious entity.

elke1211 | @elke1211 | Jun 30 10:41am

In reply to @annewoodmayo "I gained weight while on Zoloft, too, so you are not alone! Maybe try more physical..." + (show)

I was hungry at night from not sleeping so much

elke1211 | @elke1211 | Jun 30 10:45am

In reply to @elisabeth007 "Zoloft i think lists as known side effects “weight gain”. It totally established my “set point”..." + (show)

Psych meds often list raise in blood sugar as a side effect possible. Exercise physically can lower blood glucose without as much cellular activity involved in that act. Antipsychotics are the greatest offender, but it’s a side effect of many meds. Great point.