Has anyone else experienced an increase in appetite while taking Lexapro?
I noticed the side effects listed a decrease in appetite, but for the last few weeks I swear I am starving all of the time.
I am trying to stick to my usual diet, which is pretty healthy and balanced. I know that loading up on carbs or junk foods will just make it worse, but this hunger will not let up. Has anyone else experienced similar side effects while taking Lexapro? I would like to find a way to work around it before I start gaining weight. If I haven’t already, I’m scared to step on the scale. ha.
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Lexapro, of all the SSRIs, is supposed to be the least likely to make you gain weight. Meaning not that it doesn’t make you gain, but that it makes you gain the least. Some weight gain is normal. If you want to maintain or lose weight while on something along those lines, Wellburtin is a good choice if you can take it.
At this rate I am going to have to start putting a chain on my fridge.
I took Lexapro for about 2 years (until I successfully weaned myself off it this winter). Only took 10mg. I had side effects, but they were all libido-related. I experienced no appetite changes.
For what it’s worth, I am so happy I am off Lexapro. My anxiety level is higher again, but at least now I want sex!
No, I’ve always had a severe decrease in appetite and weight when on any anti-depressant or anti-anxiety medication. I was always about 10–15 lbs underweight and had to force myself to eat. Finally, I just stopped taking them altogether.
Not really. But I have unrelated issues with food so I never know when I spike in overeating.
No, but taking Cymbalta will make you an eating machine.
All Lexapro did to me was make me want to jump out of a moving vehicle!!! I’m taking Celexa now, and my appetite has actually decreased (thankfully).
@Neurotic_David Glad your back on the horse so to speak!!
When I started Lexapro a couple of years ago I became severely ADD for about a week. I couldn’t concentrate on reading a sentence from one end to the other. While it sucked (especially since I was in school and had to beg my teachers’ indulgence in delaying assignments until I could concentrate on them), it gave me a lot of insight into what little kids are going through. There are all kinds of ways to react to it. I gained about 5 pounds while on it as a result of the medication. I gained more when I ended up on crutches for quite some time.
The general consensus (according to the PI sheets and the info at crazymeds.us) is that SSRI’s increase appetite for the majority of people taking them.
However, everyone is different. Of the two people I know who’ve been on Zoloft, one experienced a decrease in appetite, the other had no change.
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