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citalopram & weight gain ( how long to lose it after coming off cit)

Posted , 55 users are following.

gymbunny
gymbunny

I have been on cit 50mg & trazodone 200mg for 2 years. I have put on 3 stone in this time.

I have started to reduce the cit & just wondered how long it takes to lose the weight gain once you are off the cit??

8 likes, 119 replies

119 Replies

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  • julie21804
    julie21804 gymbunny

    Posted

    Hi I have also been on citalopram for nearly three years now and gained two stone! Think it's because you slow down that much and I sleep loads waste most time sleeping ,so basically I work n sleep need to get more energy because I used to walk all time now don't want to rather sleep. I decided to come off cit last nite starting by reducing to half tab done it before but had to go back on couldn't cope so hope works this time?? Let us know how weight goes I hate all extra weight doesn't agree wiv me Julie xx goid luck!!
  • pris885
    pris885 gymbunny

    Posted

    Hi gym bunny I've been on citalopram for 4-5 years I was 11 stone before i started taken citalopram now im 14.8 stone do u think it's the cit that's coursed this weight gain 
    • kim71543
      kim71543 pris885

      Posted

      Hi Pris885,

      I am just coming off the citalopram, I have been on it a bit longer than ou and have gained abought the same as you. How are you getting on? Have you lost any weight? I am eating salads and going for walks, but desperately want to get back to my old weight.

    • kim71543
      kim71543 pris885

      Posted

      I also gained about the same as you Pris885
  • Julieandsid
    Julieandsid gymbunny

    Posted

    Hi gymbunny

    ive put on 3 stone in 4 yrs and im sure its because of the cit. I to would love to know the answer to your question.

  • amy32990
    amy32990 gymbunny

    Posted

    Hi I have been on and off citalopram for 3 years for anxiety, but I havent gained any weight through taking them, I guess everyone is different. 

    Also after a while of taking them I start to feel they are not doing anything as I feel more anxious again, but im only taking 20mg. I didnt realise you could have a higher dose. 

    :-) amy.

  • kim71543
    kim71543 gymbunny

    Posted

    Hi gymbunny,

    I see that you made this post over a year ago, so I am very interested in how your weight loss went. I have been on 20mg citalopram and am just coming off of it. I will do it over the next two weeks. How long before you notice the weight loss?

    • wendi8828
      wendi8828 kim71543

      Posted

      At last I don't feel alone.  all my life I have been slim whilst eating what and when I liked, although primarily healthy.  I started taking Cit nearly 3 years ago and gained 1.5 stone during this time. I felt that it was just me and that I was not looking after myself.  Although I am eating far less than I have ever done, the weight is still creeping on.  yesterday I started the slow process of reducing my dosage under my doctors guidance and delighted to see that Cit could be the cause of my weight gain. There could be an positive end to my weight gain.  My doctor has advised not reducing dosage too much until the brighter and longer days are here as apparently reducing during the darker days can have a negative affect you .  I will keep my post up to date for those who want to read and hopefully a reduction in weight. 
    • Becktoria
      Becktoria wendi8828

      Posted

      Most of my GPs have denied that SSRIs can cause weight gain, it's so frustrating. I'm 20lbs heavier than I used to be, my friends and partner don't seem to understand how unhappy this makes me. I keep being told that I don't look fat, I hold my weight well and in proportion. I have been trying very hard to diet and exercise but haven't seen much progress; having a re-occurring back problem hasn't helped either. 

      It does look like the only way I'll lose the weight is to come off meds or cosmetic surgery. The weight gain is depressing in itself.

  • ADH
    ADH gymbunny

    Posted

    Hello.  I'm new to this forum, so I hope I'm OK to post here!  I was prescribed Citalopram for various reasons, but they included a long history of eating problems and weight struggles and I was never told that the tablets could cause weight gain.  I started taking them in March 2013 and had piled on over a stone by the end of 2013, despite continuing to exercise and to follow a limited calorie diet.  It's now over 2 stone. 

    I kept on and on asking the doctor if it could be the tablets that were doing the damage, as I hadn't changed anything else, and she insisted that it wasn't.  I've tried numerous different diets, and wasted a load of money on seeing a dietitian: I did everything the dietitian said and it still didn't work.  I've also been tested for thyroid problems and diabetes - both came back negative. 

    It's such a relief to find other people saying that they've also had weight problems because of the citalopram.  I feel as if I've been going mad because I've been trying so hard to lose this weight and nothing at all has worked, and the doctor has kept on and on insisting that it wasn't down to the citalopram.  I spent a long time being very overweight - over 17 stone, at 5'4" in height - and it took me years to get down to a healthier weight and to try to maintain it, and all the weight I've put on since taking the citalopram is making me more depressed and anxious instead of less so.

    I'm now coming off the Citolopram because of all this - only 3 tablets to go!  Sorry for the rant, but it's such a relief to hear that other people have had the same experience and it's not just me!

  • claire2337
    claire2337 gymbunny

    Posted

    I've just been prescribed 20mg of citalopram daily, and now I'm worried about taking them, I struggle with my weight and have lost 3st over the last 2yrs.. My doctor assured me there were no side affects but he is a new doctor at my surgery and has no idea of my back ground. He didn't talk to me or seem interested in what I was saying, he literally typed in his computer and prescribed me them - 2 months worth! And I had to ask him if he wanted to see me again once they'd finished or before... Now I'm apprehensive and don't know what to do for the best. Help!!! 
    • Becktoria
      Becktoria claire2337

      Posted

      He's 100% not being honest that they are no side effects. There should be a booklet thing that comes with the meds. I did a Psych degree including Mental Health & Psychopharmacology - Even ignoring my personal experience with Citalopram I can tell you there are side effects. 

      Everyone reacts differently but on 20mg it shouldn't effect you too negatively. www.drugs. com is pretty accurate in detailing side effects.

      Hope this is helpful smile

    • Guest
      Guest claire2337

      Posted

      Hi, everyone reacts differently to citalopram, so take the medication and see how it goes.

      It takes about 6 weeks for them to start working - you won't be jumping for joy, but you'll notice that you feel that you're doing ok, this is citalopram doing it job, so don't just stop taking them. When your 2 months worth are almost finished, make an appointment to see the Dr (preferably one with a more caring attitude), he will want to know how you're doing, as to whether you need to increase the dose or are fine on 20mg, at which point you'll probably be given a repeat prescription.

      Don't be afraid to tell the Dr if you don't think the tablets are working!

      Good luck

  • Guest
    Guest gymbunny

    Posted

    Hi!

    I have been on 40mg for 4 years and gained 6 stone - I have dieted and exercised during this time but to no avail. I doubt the weight will just fall off once I'm med free, but I suspect diet and exercise will at least be successful.

    In the meantime I'm on week 6 of reduced meds (20mg) and will now reduce again, with a view to being totally off the meds in 6 weeks time!

    I've also just had a blood test to see if I have an underactive thyroid (results in 5 days time).

  • Serenegirl
    Serenegirl gymbunny

    Posted

    Hello. I'm encouraged to see you have lost the weight. I forgot to take my cit for a few days so thought I might just go all the way and stop but a few days later I experienced horrid brain buzz dizziness and uncontrollable crying. Back on for a few days then ill come off sensibly. I wonder are you unusual in losing the weight or have others lost their weight too?

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