Best Antidepressant for losing weight?

[z_silversurfer_]

I was on paxil for a while and gained about 10 lbs. Has anydody had any experience with an antidepressant that helped them lose weight? I am considering prozac.

[nutsy54]

I guess I'll be the first to ask. . . Is this a bad joke, or are you really that stupid?

[bongd]

I know that body composition can have a big impact on self-esteem, but your depression medication and any other methods of treatment should definitely come before a little weight gain.

Just think, when you’re not stressed out, depressed or having any negative feelings like anxiety, your body won’t go haywire and spit out cortisol. That means both your body and psyche will be healthy and fat shouldn’t be as much of a problem. Just ride it out for now and bring any of your concerns to your doctor.

I would honestly be pretty reluctant to even share opinions about other antidepressants because place could heavily impact your results. I don’t think that it would be appropriate for anyone else to even give this a serious response either, no offense of course.

[z_silversurfer_]

Why is this such a stupid question. If I'm going to go on an anti-depressant I would like to go on one that would help me lose weight instead of gain as I am already 20lbs overweight. I was put on paxil which has a weight gain side affect and would now like to try one that would curb my appetite a bit as I binge quite often on paxil.

[Immichaelski]

I think all of them cause weight gain and loss of sex drive. They make you feel like a zombie, supersmart, but I felt like I was on a drug all dang day, not my thing. I reccomend getting off of those things before you are a fat impotent medicated person.

[FAHall]

Anti-depressant should be used to treat one thing and one thing only: Psychological disorders. NEVER USE THEM TO ALTER YOUR PHYSIQUE.

Your goal with Anti-Depressants is to find one that works with no side-effects. Anti-depressants like Prozac were at one time used as a weight loss drug, but after about 4 weeks on the medication people begin to gain weight. Find an anti-depressant that works, period. Utilize the other information on this site about training, nutrition, and recovery to create the body you want. Messing with psychological drugs is one of the worst ideas ever. If your mind isn't in peak condition, your body won't be able to get where you want it to either. Look into how much of an effect your CNS has over your training and recovery abilities.

Anti-depressant should be used to treat one thing and one thing only: Psychological disorders. NEVER USE THEM TO ALTER YOUR PHYSIQUE.

I am currently on anti-depressants, and at one time I did take prozac. I notices absolutely no change in weight resulting from the medication. I am completely in control of my daily food intake and my training so this has never been an issue.

Again let me repeat this: Anti-depressant should be used to treat one thing and one thing only: Psychological disorders. NEVER USE THEM TO ALTER YOUR PHYSIQUE.

Hope this helps,
Alex

[RavensFan2k3]

hey did you have any side effects from the anti-depressents? Especially affecting your libido and sex drive?

[njt11]

Hey, here's a suggestion, why not ask your doctor and not a bodybuilding forum?

[dsade]

Depression symptoms correlate with the neurotransmitter that is out of whack. Wellbutrin, which is a Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitor, actually helps in weight loss and sexual function. Luckily for me, Dopamine imbalance is my problem.

SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) generally cause sexual side effects and weight gain.

Talk to your doctor.

[anth28]

Having been on anti-depressants in the past, I can tell you that you will gain weight rather than lose it. It also does affect libido...so, that being said, talk to your doctor about being placed on a anti-depressant with the least sides and trust his judgement. Concentrate on getting better, rather than using the meds to help you lose weight.

[Latosaurus Rex]

waaaaaaaa im depressed waaaaaaaaa

[z_silversurfer_]

thanks for the info so far guys. I mean to me it just makes sense that if I am going to be on an anti-depressant I might as well be on one with more favourable side affects. My psychologist is the one that actually proposed this to me.

[Serpens Aeon]

Bupropion (sold as Wellbutrin and Zyban). It doesn't dent libido either, apparently. Of course, run this by your doctor first.

[uhockey]

Depression symptoms correlate with the neurotransmitter that is out of whack. Wellbutrin, which is a Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitor, actually helps in weight loss and sexual function. Luckily for me, Dopamine imbalance is my problem.

SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) generally cause sexual side effects and weight gain.

Talk to your doctor.

All good info.
While Wellbutrin may not be as effective as an anti-depressant as the SSRIs, it does appear to have less side effects (unless of course you suffer from seizures.)

Coming to a bb.com forum for this is kinda dumb though. Talk to your doctor. He/She spent considerable time learning how to treat your condition.

[dsade]

Talk to your doctor. He/She spent considerable time learning how to treat your condition.

I wish. Most docs, with the exception of psychiatrists, know very little about neurotransmitters and pharmacological manipulation to treat mental illness. It's still pretty much hit or miss with them.

[uhockey]

I wish. Most docs, with the exception of psychiatrists, know very little about neurotransmitters and pharmacological manipulation to treat mental illness. It's still pretty much hit or miss with them.

True, I guess I should have been more clear.

While we unfortunately live in an era of HMOs and mediocre health care where referral is not the standard, I personally would never accept (and will never prescribe) an anti-depressant from anyone other than a psychiatrist. While I appreciate what FM and GIM docs have to offer, there is a reason for specialists, and mental health and endocrine disorders are two areas where I feel very strongly that one should NOT compromise.

[dsade]

True, I guess I should have been more clear.

While we unfortunately live in an era of HMOs and mediocre health care where referral is not the standard, I personally would never accept (and will never prescribe) an anti-depressant from anyone other than a psychiatrist. While I appreciate what FM and GIM docs have to offer, there is a reason for specialists, and mental health and endocrine disorders are two areas where I feel very strongly that one should NOT compromise.

Agreed wholeheartedly.

[beast69]

Anti-depressant should be used to treat one thing and one thing only: Psychological disorders. NEVER USE THEM TO ALTER YOUR PHYSIQUE.

Your goal with Anti-Depressants is to find one that works with no side-effects. Anti-depressants like Prozac were at one time used as a weight loss drug, but after about 4 weeks on the medication people begin to gain weight. Find an anti-depressant that works, period. Utilize the other information on this site about training, nutrition, and recovery to create the body you want. Messing with psychological drugs is one of the worst ideas ever. If your mind isn't in peak condition, your body won't be able to get where you want it to either. Look into how much of an effect your CNS has over your training and recovery abilities.

Anti-depressant should be used to treat one thing and one thing only: Psychological disorders. NEVER USE THEM TO ALTER YOUR PHYSIQUE.

I am currently on anti-depressants, and at one time I did take prozac. I notices absolutely no change in weight resulting from the medication. I am completely in control of my daily food intake and my training so this has never been an issue.

Again let me repeat this: Anti-depressant should be used to treat one thing and one thing only: Psychological disorders. NEVER USE THEM TO ALTER YOUR PHYSIQUE.

Hope this helps,
Alex

my thoughts exactly. Find one that best helps you mentally, not physically. It is still VERY possible to gain/lose weight while on an anti-depressant.

[RenegadeRows]

"I'm taking Hydroxycut to cope with my stressful job and recent divorce."

[Lonny]

Effexor cause me to lose around 30 lbs, and basically "go through the motions" of going to the gym.

[nutsy54]

thanks for the info so far guys. I mean to me it just makes sense that if I am going to be on an anti-depressant I might as well be on one with more favourable side affects. My psychologist is the one that actually proposed this to me.

This makes more sense, and you've gotten a lot of good replies here.

Your original post really sounded like you wanted to find and take a serious prescription drug solely for the purpose of losing weight, and that was the reason for my initial response.

[Blahzay128]

waaaaaaaa im depressed waaaaaaaaa

Hey latosaurus Rex....get a life....no need to mock a person who has to take an SSRI....Depression, Panic/Anxiety Disorder, OCD, etc. are all diseases....If you had Diabetes you would take meds, correct?! Same situation. Unfortunately our society has created a stigma around mental health issues. Guess what, anti-depressants are among the highest prescribed meds out there...this means something.

[DRP7]

Anti-depressant should be used to treat one thing and one thing only: Psychological disorders. NEVER USE THEM TO ALTER YOUR PHYSIQUE.

Alex

well, the OP has made his point very clear, so please first read what he actually says and then critisize him:

Why is this such a stupid question. If I'm going to go on an anti-depressant I would like to go on one that would help me lose weight instead of gain as I am already 20lbs overweight. I was put on paxil which has a weight gain side affect and would now like to try one that would curb my appetite a bit as I binge quite often on paxil.

[DRP7]

SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) generally cause sexual side effects and weight gain.

Talk to your doctor.

with regards to weight gain the above statement is not correct. In most cases SSRIs cause a reduction or even loss of appetite. the more "pure" their receptor profile, the the more likely they will decrease appetite. "dirty" drugs, especially those with high affinity to histamine-receptors will likely increase appetite. also a blockade of 5-HT2 receptors will lead to increased appetite.

[DRP7]

finally, it should be noted that sometimes an increase in weight under treatment with antidepressants is only relative: one of the common key-features of depression itself is loss of appetite and weight. when depression improves, people usually quickly regain their weight, which is not always appreciated;-)

[RenegadeRows]

finally, it should be noted that sometimes an increase in weight under treatment with antidepressants is only relative: one of the common key-features of depression itself is loss of appetite and weight. when depression improves, people usually quickly regain their weight, which is not always appreciated;-)

Very true. Same is true for people who get into relationships that they are secure/comfortable with. Weight gain ensues.

[RavensFan2k3]

You could try 5-HTP. People who have experience with this, does it have side affects like loss of libido and sexual desire?