Which Antidepressants Cause the Most Weight Gain?

A new study has found that some antidepressants are more likely to cause weight gain than others. This research tracked weight changes in patients using eight popular antidepressant drugs.

Study Details

The study was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. It analyzed electronic health records of over 183,000 first-time antidepressant users in the U.S. Their weight was monitored for 24 months.

Key Findings

• Higher Risk of Weight Gain: After six months, patients taking Lexapro, Paxil, or Cymbalta had a 10 to 15 percent higher risk of gaining a significant amount of weight compared to those taking Zoloft.
• Lower Risk with Wellbutrin: Patients on Wellbutrin were less likely to gain weight.
• General Weight Gain: Weight gain was observed across all antidepressants. Most participants were already overweight or obese at the start, reflecting the general U.S. population.

Expert Insights

Dr. Joshua Petimar, the lead author, emphasized the concern among patients about weight gain with antidepressants, especially those with conditions like diabetes. Some patients might stop taking their medication if they gain weight, which can lead to negative health outcomes.

Comparison of Antidepressants

• Zoloft: Most commonly prescribed and associated with less weight gain compared to others.
• Wellbutrin: Linked to less weight gain but can cause dry mouth and caffeine-like side effects.
• Lexapro, Paxil, Cymbalta, Effexor, Celexa: Patients gained more weight initially compared to those on Zoloft.

Challenges in Choosing Antidepressants

Choosing the right antidepressant involves balancing effectiveness and side effects. Dr. David J. Hellerstein pointed out that weight gain varies based on diet, exercise, genetics, and health history.

Study Limitations

• The researchers couldn’t confirm if patients were first-time antidepressant users.
• Data on medication dosage was inconsistent.
• The study did not include a comparison group not taking antidepressants.

Future Research

Further research is needed to understand weight gain patterns over time and the reasons behind them. This could help in managing the side effects of antidepressants better.

Conclusion

This study highlights the varying impacts of different antidepressants on weight gain. Patients and doctors need to consider these findings when choosing a treatment plan.

References

• Annals of Internal Medicine, Study on Weight Gain and Antidepressants
• Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Joshua Petimar’s Study
• Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Dr. David J. Hellerstein