Does Celexa Cause Weight Gain? — Talkspace

If you’re contemplating taking Celexa (citalopram) in your psychological well being, it’s necessary to grasp the potential unwanted side effects. A frequent query for a lot of is “does Celexa cause weight gain?” Though there’s no particular reply, sure selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants — together with Celexa — have been discovered to probably contribute to elevated physique mass and physique weight change.  

Here we’re Celexa and weight achieve and tips on how to handle it if it’s a facet impact you expertise. We’ll additionally focus on weight reduction methods whereas nonetheless taking Celexa, so you possibly can resolve whether or not this SSRI antidepressant remedy and its widespread unwanted side effects are best for you.

How Much Weight Do You Gain on Celexa?

Slight weight achieve is a standard facet impact when taking an SSRI antidepressant resembling Celexa. While the burden gained varies from individual to individual and depends upon many components, it’s often minimal — some analysis suggests weight achieve in individuals taking antidepressants is usually not more than 6 kilos over the course of two years. 

That stated, it’s troublesome to foretell how a lot, if any, Celexa weight achieve you might have as a result of everybody responds in another way to medicines and has completely different physique chemistry and way of life habits that would affect weight. Studies present that people who find themselves initially underweight once they begin taking antidepressants usually tend to achieve weight because of their remedy plan. Also, unsurprisingly, in research, these with an unhealthy way of life is perhaps extra vulnerable to important weight achieve after beginning antidepressants. 

What causes extra weight achieve — Celexa or Lexapro?

Celexa and Lexapro are two generally prescribed antidepressants to handle despair signs. They’ve each been identified to probably trigger slight, however often minimal, weight achieve as a Celexa facet impact. However, The National Library of Medicine has linked decreased urge for food to Lexapro, which in concept, would possibly result in Celexa having extra potential to trigger weight achieve. More a extra in-depth comparability of those two medicines, take a look at our article on Celexa vs. Lexapro.

“While patients on Celexa or Lexapro have reported weight gain, it’s always important to work closely with your prescriber to understand why. SSRIs boost serotonin, which impacts behavior and has been shown to increase appetite, which may result in weight gain but not necessarily cause it. When taking any new medications, remember well-established routines can help promote optimal effect and also overall health.”

– Talkspace therapist Elizabeth Keohan, LCSW-C, LICSW, LCSW

Possible Causes of Weight Gain from Celexa

It’s not all the time simple to pinpoint the precise reason behind this Celexa facet impact, however some components are extensively believed to be potential contributors. 

Increase in urge for food

One potential reason behind Celexa weight achieve is an improve in urge for food. People who take Celexa typically report feeling hungrier and craving extra meals than common. This can result in overeating and, consequently, weight achieve over time. Additionally, sure meals can set off cravings, contributing to undesirable physique weight change if not appropriately managed.

Metabolic adjustments

Another potential issue for gaining weight on Celexa is metabolic adjustments brought on by the drug itself. Some individuals expertise slowed metabolism attributable to their remedy use which signifies that energy are burned off extra slowly, resulting in gradual however regular will increase in physique mass index (BMI).

Sluggishness

Many people report weariness or sluggishness when taking this drug, making exercising robust in some instances. Coupled with elevated urge for food and slowed metabolism, lack of train could trigger extra, and even important weight achieve. 

Can You Lose Weight While Taking Celexa?

Yes, it’s potential to shed kilos whereas on Celexa. Managing weight achieve on Celexa could appear troublesome, however with the fitting sources and information, sustaining or shedding weight is feasible.  

How to Manage Weight Gain on Celexa

With the next suggestions, you may get a maintain on managing weight achieve from Celexa.

1. First, keep a wholesome and balanced weight-reduction plan. Eating loads of recent vegetables and fruit, lean proteins, and complete grains will assist keep your metabolism and stop unhealthy cravings. 
2. You additionally need to you’ll want to get sufficient sleep every night time. Lack of sleep can result in elevated starvation hormones like ghrelin which may trigger overeating or binge consuming.
3. Stay lively, as bodily exercise helps enhance mood-regulating neurotransmitters like serotonin which can be affected by the remedy. For optimum psychological well being, try for half-hour of average bodily exercise, resembling strolling or swimming, day by day.  
4. Finally, contemplate speaking to a psychological well being skilled about how greatest to handle any adjustments in urge for food or Celexa and weight achieve. A therapist may also help you be taught to make use of wholesome coping methods when coping with cravings or aggravating consuming behaviors which will contribute to weight achieve. With the fitting mixture of way of life modifications and psychological help, you possibly can handle any potential unwanted side effects from Celexa use, together with weight achieve.

If you’re involved concerning the unwanted side effects of Celexa, please discuss to a health care provider first. You ought to all the time seek the advice of with a licensed skilled earlier than you contemplate stopping any remedy, as withdrawal from Celexa can happen.

“We must remember that any new medication’s goal is to decrease negative symptoms. I always encourage clients to remember that healthy routines beget optimal outcomes. Even when symptoms improve, we still have to do the “work” to stay wholesome, which incorporates sleep, train, and vitamin, and requires self-education exterior of our suppliers. It is just not inconceivable to handle issues successfully, utilizing the instruments and help from remedy, along with a considerate routine.”

– Talkspace therapist Elizabeth Keohan, LCSW-C, LICSW, LCSW

Find Out If Celexa is Right for You with Talkspace

Getting management over Celexa weight achieve could be troublesome, nevertheless it’s potential with the fitting sources and information. If you’re contemplating taking Celexa in your psychological well being wants, Talkspace may also help. Our on-line psychiatry and remedy platform gives a handy and protected method to entry high quality care from dwelling. We provide personalised remedy plans tailor-made to your wants, together with remedy administration companies, so you possibly can confidently contemplate getting Celexa on-line in case your physician recommends it to deal with your despair or different psychological well being situation.