Published on: 03 Apr 2023
Zoloft, also called sertraline, is an antidepressant remedy used to deal with despair, nervousness, and different psychological well being circumstances. While this selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) might be an efficient remedy of despair and nervousness signs for many individuals, like every drug, there are potential psychological and bodily Zoloft unintended effects that may include antidepressant use. A typical aspect impact is Zoloft weight acquire.
Not everybody experiences sertraline weight acquire. Much of the time, analysis reveals that physique weight acquire is modest or short-term. That mentioned, it’s nonetheless necessary to know the potential aspect impact and focus on it together with your physician earlier than beginning remedy.
Does Zoloft Cause Weight Gain?
Can you acquire weight on Zoloft? Some research have proven that round 11% of people that take antidepressants expertise a weight acquire of at the very least 5% throughout the first 12 months. However, your unintended effects could happen at totally different occasions relying on how lengthy it takes for Zoloft to work in your physique. Some analysis additionally suggests that different forms of antidepressants might need the next danger than Zoloft.
“Zoloft can potentially cause weight gain, but it’s not a necessary side effect for everyone. It’s best to get clarity from your psychiatrist about which antidepressant is the best fit for you. You can get on another medication if you find yourself gaining weight.”
What different SSRIs trigger weight acquire?
Body weight acquire generally is a aspect impact of antidepressant use past simply Zoloft. Other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) that may trigger weight acquire embrace:
- Prozac
- Paxil
- Celexa
- Lexapro
Weight acquire seems to be extra probably when taking greater doses or for individuals taking the antidepressant drug for prolonged intervals.
Why Does Zoloft Cause Weight Gain?
The actual purpose why you would possibly acquire weight on Zoloft isn’t absolutely understood, however a number of theories exist.
Increased serotonin ranges
One concept means that elevated serotonin ranges within the mind brought on by SSRI medication can have an effect on metabolism and starvation alerts within the physique. This would possibly result in modifications in urge for food and consuming habits in addition to cravings for unhealthy meals, leading to weight acquire over time.
Energy ranges
Another chance for Zoloft weight acquire is that sure forms of despair medicines intervene with power stability. For some individuals, antidepressant remedy could trigger them to turn into much less energetic and burn fewer energy than they normally would.
Hormones and metabolism
Some analysis means that long-term use of SSRI medication could alter appetite-regulating hormones like leptin and ghrelin. More analysis is required, although, because it’s unclear if this outcomes in weight acquire.
Sedative impact
Finally, one other issue that might contribute to potential weight acquire from taking Zoloft is perhaps its sedative impact. Zoloft could make you’re feeling drowsy or sleepy throughout the day. It’s believable that this might cut back your exercise stage and enhance your probability of gaining weight as a consequence of an absence of bodily train.
How Can I Avoid Gaining Weight on Zoloft?
If you’re involved about Zoloft weight acquire, there are steps you’ll be able to take to assist decrease this danger.
Healthy weight loss program
Maintaining a nutritious diet is essential to avoiding sertraline weight acquire. Eating balanced meals with loads of fruits, greens, lean proteins, and complete grains can assist you keep full longer and hold your power ranges up.
In addition, it’s best to keep away from processed meals excessive in sugar and saturated fat, as these can result in weight acquire. It’s additionally necessary to observe portion sizes; overeating any meals kind could cause undesirable kilos.
Get shifting & be energetic
Getting energetic is one other nice solution to keep away from gaining weight on Zoloft. Exercise helps burn energy and enhance metabolism, which is important for sustaining a wholesome weight. You don’t have to hitch an costly health club or purchase fancy tools; merely strolling across the block or doing gentle stretching at residence will usually do the trick.
Make sleep a precedence
Making sleep a precedence is important for psychological well being basically. Lack of sleep can result in elevated urge for food as a consequence of hormones being out of stability, making it more durable for individuals who take this antidepressant remedy to keep up their present weight and stop additional features from occurring sooner or later. Keep a wholesome sleep routine and goal for 7-8 hours per evening. You may take quick naps all through the day.
Talk to your physician about switching remedy
Talk together with your physician about switching your antidepressant remedy if crucial.
“The best way to avoid weight gain due to Zoloft is to work closely with your psychiatrist. If you find yourself gaining weight, let your doctor know so you can be switched to another antidepressant.”
If your despair analysis and remedy plan advocate remedy for despair, your physician might be able to advocate different SSRIs which might be much less prone to trigger weight acquire.
Talk to Your Doctor About Zoloft Side Effects
It’s important for anybody contemplating beginning an antidepressant like Zoloft to know the dangers related to its use.
If you’re fearful about Zoloft and weight acquire or different unintended effects, share your considerations together with your physician.
Online psychiatry from Talkspace can present skilled steering as you navigate the potential unintended effects of a prescribed remedy. If you’re involved with weight acquire on Zoloft, discover your remedy choices with a psychiatrist. Take management of your well being at this time by in search of the best psychiatrist-prescribed remedy for you.
Sources:
- Arterburn D, Sofer T, Boudreau D, et al. Long-term weight change after initiating second-generation antidepressants. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2016;5(4):48. doi:10.3390/jcm5040048. https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/5/4/48. Accessed December 16, 2022.
- Gafoor R, Booth HP, Gulliford MC. Antidepressant utilization and incidence of weight acquire throughout 10 years’ follow-up: Population primarily based cohort examine. BMJ. 2018. doi:10.1136/bmj.k1951. https://www.bmj.com/content/361/bmj.k1951. Accessed December 16, 2022.
- Ozsoy S, Besirli A, Abdulrezzak U, Basturk M. Serum ghrelin and leptin ranges in sufferers with despair and the results of remedy. Psychiatry Investigation. 2014;11(2):167. doi:10.4306/pi.2014.11.2.167. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4023091/. Accessed December 16, 2022.
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