Does Trazodone Cause Weight Gain? — Talkspace

Trazodone is an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) antidepressant remedy that’s used to deal with psychological well being circumstances like depressive dysfunction and nervousness. It’s additionally used off-label to assist folks with insomnia and sleep problem. 

Like all medicines, there are potential uncomfortable side effects to contemplate earlier than you are taking this drug — however does Trazodone trigger weight achieve? While not a standard facet impact as with another antidepressant medicines, it’s true that Trazodone weight achieve is a doable adversarial impact. 

Read on to be taught why you may achieve weight on Trazodone, how a lot you may achieve, and methods to handle it so you may make an knowledgeable resolution when selecting a therapy plan that features Trazodone on-line.

Do You Always Gain Weight on Trazodone?

This in the end is determined by a number of elements, together with private physique chemistry and life-style habits. Though most customers don’t expertise important weight achieve as an adversarial impact whereas taking Trazodone, some will. Research reveals that second-generation antidepressants — which Trazodone is — could be linked to weight achieve. In medical trials, solely about 1% of individuals on Trazodone gained weight. 

That mentioned, different analysis finds that there’s the potential for weight reduction in individuals who use Trazodone. Weight loss could be a widespread facet impact, particularly if somebody is chubby once they start taking this remedy. 

How a lot weight will you achieve from Trazodone?  

It’s vital to grasp that not everybody will expertise Trazodone weight achieve — it’s really a fairly uncommon facet impact of Trazodone. Some research recommend that individuals who take Trazodone might achieve a median of 1 – 2 kilos inside 6 weeks of beginning therapy. 

“Although it might not seem like a lot of weight, taking the drug for a long time will also increase the chances of body mass increase.”

– Talkspace therapist Reshawna Chapple, PhD, LCSW

Results might differ considerably relying on elements equivalent to life-style and different medicines taken earlier than beginning or throughout Trazodone therapy.

Why Does Trazodone Cause Weight Gain?

Weight achieve on Trazodone will be because of a number of causes. 

Hormonal modifications

Trazodone can have an effect on the hormones leptin and ghrelin, which regulate urge for food and metabolism. This might end in elevated starvation cravings and decreased power expenditure when taken in larger doses or for extra prolonged intervals. 

Change in serotonin ranges

As an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor), Trazodone additionally alters serotonin concentrations, probably altering meals consumption by influencing feelings and emotions related to eating regimen.

Change in bodily exercise ranges

Reduced bodily exercise stage is one other doable reason for weight achieve on Trazodone. Trazodone induces sleepiness, which could end in much less motivation or power to interact in bodily exercise.

Change in metabolism

Slowed metabolism may result from decreased exercise ranges, resulting in weight achieve. Increased starvation

Increased urge for food — maybe because of a change in serotonin ranges — can result in larger meals consumption. 

Change in eating regimen

Poor dietary selections equivalent to high-calorie snacks or processed meals present little dietary worth however rapidly add up in energy over time if not balanced with more healthy choices like fruits or greens, thus contributing additional in direction of doable weight achieve.

Fat storage

Trazodone could also be associated to a disruption in homeostatic processes, inflicting a rise in fats storage and resulting in weight achieve. 

Increased social interplay

When antidepressants do their job, you’re feeling higher. When you’re feeling higher, it’s possible you’ll be extra inclined to spend time in social settings the place foods and drinks are widespread. Ultimately, you may expertise a weight change in the event you’re socializing and consuming extra. 

How to Manage Weight Gain on Trazodone

Gaining weight will be an sudden end result of utilizing Trazodone for some folks. For these already chubby or overweight, weight achieve could be much more widespread and might have critical well being penalties.  

Fortunately, there are methods that may show you how to preserve a wholesome weight whereas taking Trazodone.

• Track your weight: Keeping monitor of your weight is step one in managing any potential modifications from taking Trazodone. It’s vital to weigh your self often to know in case your weight has modified considerably since beginning the remedy. 
• Monitor your eating regimen: Monitoring your eating regimen will show you how to determine any dietary patterns which may be contributing to undesirable kilos.
• Exercise often: Exercising at the very least 3 occasions per week can assist preserve off additional kilos and enhance total bodily and psychological well-being whereas on Trazodone. Cardiovascular actions equivalent to working or swimming burn energy and launch endorphins confirmed to cut back stress ranges and elevate moods naturally with out relying solely on medicines.
• Eat healthily: Opting for more healthy options like recent fruit and veggies, lean meats, and extra useful fat gives important nutritional vitamins and minerals whereas retaining calorie consumption low. Skipping processed snacks (like chips) and sugary drinks (like soda) will even show you how to keep away from weight achieve.
• Switch medicines: If you’re experiencing in depth weight achieve and imagine it’s associated to Trazodone, speak to your physician about switching medicines. Just be sure you speak to them first earlier than stopping abruptly as this may be harmful and result in Trazodone withdrawal.

“Discuss weight gain with your doctor. They might suggest switching to a different medication or lowering the dosage. Limit portion sizes on foods, exercise, eat more protein-rich foods, consult a dietitian, avoid alcohol, get enough sleep, drink more water, and reduce salt intake.”

– Talkspace therapist Reshawna Chapple, PhD, LCSW

Find Out If Trazodone Is Right for You

If you’re contemplating taking Trazodone in your nervousness or depressive dysfunction, it’s essential to weigh the dangers and advantages earlier than making a call. Even although there are some uncomfortable side effects related to taking this remedy, together with potential weight achieve, they’ll usually be minimized when taken correctly below medical supervision. 

By taking Trazodone below a physician’s care, these affected by psychological well being points can profit with out compromising their security. Controlling potential Trazodone weight achieve is feasible. Talk to an on-line psychiatrist in the present day to be taught extra about Trazodone and if it’s best for you.