Anti-Anxiety Meds That Cause Weight Loss | Ro (2024)

Have you ever felt those first-date jitters or nerves over an upcoming job interview? From time to time, we all experience a certain degree of anxiety, especially when dealing with issues related to our health, money, and relationships. Anxiety in small doses can actually be beneficial to our health—these feelings can help us notice when we’re in danger, helping ensure our safety (Steimer, 2002).

But if your feelings of anxiety are extreme and long-lasting, you may be suffering from an anxiety disorder. There are many types of anxiety disorders, some of which are treatable with medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of both. While these medications can effectively treat your anxiety, they may also cause certain side effects, including weight gain or weight loss.

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Does anxiety medication cause weight gain?

Weight gain is a more common symptom of anti-anxiety medications than weight loss. A 2019 review of 27 studies found that, on average, participants experienced a weight gain of 5% while taking antidepressants (which are commonly used to treat anxiety, too) (Alonso-Pedrero, 2019).

There are a few possible reasons you may gain weight when on anti-anxiety medications. First, if you are depressed or have an anxiety disorder, this can affect your appetite, causing you to gain weight. Secondly, some types of antidepressants can increase appetite and affect your metabolism, causing your body to burn calories more slowly, which may result in weight gain.

However, some anti-anxiety meds can also cause weight loss by decreasing a person’s appetite. As mentioned earlier, your depression, anxiety, or overall mental health may affect your eating habits and activity levels. Treating the underlying condition may lessen or stop these behaviors that lead to weight gain.

Can anxiety medications cause weight loss?

Weight loss while taking anti-anxiety medications is less common than weight gain, but it can happen. However, all weight changes while taking medication are individual, so it’s hard to predict what will happen before you start taking a particular drug.

Many providers turn to certain types of antidepressants, like SSRIs or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, to treat anxiety—they can help ease symptoms of anxiety and depression while causing fewer side effects than other types of antidepressants. Some SSRIs have been shown to cause weight loss in the short term but can lead to an increase in weight after six months (Lee, 2016). This initial weight loss may come from feeling better due to the drug, which can make people more active.

Antidepressants can also cause nausea or loss of appetite, which can result in weight loss.

There are, in fact, certain antidepressants that are more likely to cause weight loss. Let’s take a look at them below.

Best anxiety meds that cause weight loss

While there is no one best anxiety medication for weight loss, there are a few antidepressants that are not associated with weight gain. These include:

  • Bupropion (Wellbutrin; see Important Safety Information)

  • Fluoxetine (Prozac; see Important Safety Information)

  • Duloxetine (Cymbalta; see Important Safety Information)

Bupropion

Bupropion is an antidepressant and smoking cessation aid. Studies suggest that non-smokers who take bupropion may lose around 7 pounds (Aggarwal, 2016). Of the antidepressants listed above, bupropion has the most studies connecting it to weight loss.

Fluoxetine

Fluoxetine is an SSRI used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), bulimia nervosa, and panic disorder. Recent research suggests that adults with overweight or obesity may lose an average of up to 2.7 kilograms (about 6 pounds) during the first six months of treatment. However, fluoxetine does come with side effects other than weight gain (Serralde-Zuñiga, 2022).

Duloxetine

Duloxetine is an antidepressant and nerve medication. While taking duloxetine may lead to about a pound of weight loss after 8 or 9 weeks of treatment, taking it for longer may lead to eventual weight gain, especially at higher doses (Wise, 2006).

Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications are very effective at treating depression and anxiety—but they can have side effects. While more research is needed to fully understand why and how these medications affect weight, we know that depression and anxiety can also affect your appetite and behaviors and, therefore, your weight.

While most medications of this type are associated with weight gain, certain anti-anxiety medications may be linked to weight loss. Because everyone is different, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to these types of medications. Talk with your healthcare provider about your medication regime, and know that regular exercise, healthy eating habits, and good self-care remain essential parts of managing weight.

DISCLAIMER

If you have any medical questions or concerns, please talk to your healthcare provider. The articles on Health Guide are underpinned by peer-reviewed research and information drawn from medical societies and governmental agencies. However, they are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

  • Aggarwal, A., Jethani, S. L., Rohatgi, R. K., et al. (2016). Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) induced weight changes: A dose and duration dependent study on albino rats. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, 10(3), AF01–AF3. doi:10.7860/JCDR/2016/16482.7376. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4850471/

  • Alonso-Pedrero, L., Bes-Rastrollo, M., & Marti, A. (2019). Effects of antidepressant and antipsychotic use on weight gain: A systematic review. Obesity Reviews, 20(12), 1680–1690. doi:10.1111/obr.12934. Retrieved from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/obr.12934

  • Lee, S. H., Paz-Filho, G., Mastronardi, C., et al. (2016). Is increased antidepressant exposure a contributory factor to the obesity pandemic?. Translational Psychiatry, 6(3), e759. doi:10.1038/tp.2016.25. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26978741/

  • Serralde-Zuñiga, A. E., González-Garay, A. G., Rodríguez-Carmona, Y. et al. (2022). Use of fluoxetine to reduce weight in adults with overweight or obesity: Abridged republication of the Cochrane Systematic Review. Obesity Facts, 15(4), 473–486. doi:10.1159/000524995. Retrieved from https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/524995

  • Steimer, T. (2002). The biology of fear- and anxiety-related behaviors. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 4(3), 231–249. doi:10.31887/DCNS.2002.4.3/tsteimer. Retrieved from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.31887/DCNS.2002.4.3/tsteimer

  • Wise, T. N., Perahia, D. G., Pangallo, B. A., et al. (2006). Effects of the antidepressant duloxetine on body weight: analyses of 10 clinical studies. Primary Care Companion to the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 8(5), 269–278. doi:10.4088/pcc.v08n0503. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1764530/

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Every article on Health Guide goes through rigorous fact-checking by our team of medical reviewers. Our reviewers are trained medical professionals who ensure each article contains the most up-to-date information, and that medical details have been correctly interpreted by the writer.

Current version

September 26, 2022

Written by

Mariah Adcox

Fact checked by

Chimene Richa, MD

About the medical reviewer

Anti-Anxiety Meds That Cause Weight Loss | Ro (1)

Chimene Richa, MD

Dr. Richa is a board-certified Ophthalmologist and medical writer for Ro.

Anti-Anxiety Meds That Cause Weight Loss | Ro (2024)

FAQs

Anti-Anxiety Meds That Cause Weight Loss | Ro? ›

Best anxiety meds that cause weight loss

What anxiety medication is least likely to cause weight gain? ›

Antidepressants that are least likely to cause weight gain include Prozac (fluoxetine) and Wellbutrin (bupropion). Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, such as Pristiq (desvenlafaxine), also seem to have a low risk of weight gain. Keep in mind that everyone responds differently to medication.

What is the best antidepressant for weight loss? ›

Antidepressants that have been linked to weight loss include: bupropion (Wellbutrin) fluoxetine (Prozac) duolexetine (Cymbalta)

How to lose weight on anxiety meds? ›

Eating more frequently and smaller amounts, increasing the relative amount of protein eaten (people generally feel more “full” when eating high protein content foods), reducing breads and starches, eating a healthful breakfast, and avoiding large meals or snacks late in the evening can provide a more balanced diet ...

Has anyone lost weight on Zoloft? ›

On the other hand, some antidepressants — including bupropion (Wellbutrin), and even Zoloft can actually lead to weight loss. The amount of weight gain (or loss) you may experience while taking antidepressants can depend on a number of factors, from the dosage you are taking to whether or not you are a smoker.

What anxiety medication causes extreme weight loss? ›

Best anxiety meds that cause weight loss

These include: Bupropion (Wellbutrin; see Important Safety Information) Fluoxetine (Prozac; see Important Safety Information) Duloxetine (Cymbalta; see Important Safety Information)

Has anyone lost weight on Buspar? ›

Buspirone (Buspar) is not prescribed for weight loss; any observed buspirone weight loss is typically an unintended side effect. It's crucial to use this medication only as a healthcare professional prescribes, and any concerns about weight changes should be discussed with them.

Can you lose weight on Lexapro? ›

If Lexapro helps reduce your depression, it can reverse changes in your appetite caused by the condition. In turn, you may lose or gain some weight. But this effect is more related to your condition than to side effects of the drug.

How fast is weight loss on Wellbutrin? ›

As mentioned above, some clients may see weight loss within as little as 1-2 weeks, while for others it may take up to 8 weeks to see a noticeable reduction in weight. While taking Wellbutrin, individuals may observe variations in their weight, and weight loss is not guaranteed for everyone.

What is the new weight loss drug with antidepressants? ›

Contrave contains a combination of bupropion and naltrexone. Bupropion is an antidepressant medicine that can also decrease appetite. Naltrexone is usually given to block the effects of opioids or alcohol in people with addiction problems. Naltrexone may also curb hunger and food cravings.

Can Cymbalta make you lose weight? ›

Most related research suggests that Cymbalta can affect a person's weight, but only modestly. A 2015 systematic review concluded that Cymbalta might cause a small amount of weight loss in the first few weeks, followed by modest weight gain.

How do I fix my anxiety weight loss? ›

Fact: Anxiety may make weight loss feel harder, but it's still possible. Using techniques like deep breathing, meditation, and positive self-talk can help manage stress.

Has anyone lost weight on trazodone? ›

by Drugs.com

While both weight gain and weight loss side effects are relatively rare compared to its other side effects, trazodone may be more likely to cause weight loss than weight gain. In a clinical trial, 5% of people who took trazodone gained weight, while 6% lost weight.

What antidepressants are good for energy and weight loss? ›

Most antidepressants might cause weight gain, but only one is known for not causing weight gain—bupropion (Wellbutrin). In one study, participants taking Wellbutrin lost as much as seven pounds. Sometimes people lose weight when going on any antidepressant because they become much more active again when feeling better.

Will I lose weight on Prozac? ›

In Prozac studies, weight loss has been reported in about 2% of patients (2 out of every 100), but patient self-reports of weight gain have been much higher, up to 37% in one survey. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) available in the U.S. include: Celexa (citalopram) Lexapro (escitalopram)

How to stay skinny on Zoloft? ›

How Can I Avoid Gaining Weight on Zoloft?
  1. Healthy diet. Maintaining a healthy diet is key to avoiding sertraline weight gain. ...
  2. Get moving & be active. Getting active is another great way to avoid gaining weight on Zoloft. ...
  3. Make sleep a priority. ...
  4. Talk to your doctor about switching medication.
Apr 3, 2023

What psych meds do not cause weight gain? ›

Antipsychotics with a lower risk of weight gain are:
  • Aripiprazole (Abilify)
  • Asenapine (Saphris)
  • Brexipiprazole (Rexulti)
  • Cariprazine (Vraylar)
  • Haloperidol (Haldol)
  • Lumateperone (Caplyta)
  • Lurasidone (Latuda)
  • Ziprasidone (Geodon)
Aug 25, 2022

Do you gain weight on Lexapro vs Prozac? ›

According to research, an estimated 41% of people on Lexapro might experience weight gain. While Lexapro weight gain can vary, one study found an average of 2.4 pounds gained over 9 months. For Prozac, some research shows people gain an average of 7 pounds.

Do you gain weight on Zoloft or Prozac? ›

Both drugs might cause weight changes. However, the main difference between Zoloft and Prozac is that research suggests weight gain might be more pronounced with Prozac than Zoloft weight gain.

What mood disorder medications don t cause weight gain? ›

It appears that aripiprazole, ziprasidone, lurasidone and cariprazine are more weight neutral than the others, but that can vary from person to person.

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