Many anxiety and antidepressant medications, such as paroxetine, escitalopram, and duloxetine, may cause weight gain. But weight gain isn’t guaranteed and shouldn’t stop you from seeking treatment with medication.
Finding the right treatment if you have anxiety, which often includes medication, may be challenging.
While anxiety medications are very effective in managing symptoms of anxiety, some may lead to weight gain.
If you’re unsure about anxiety medication
The benefits of anxiety medications often outweigh the risks. Talk with a healthcare professional to find the most effective anxiety treatment for you, with the fewest side effects.
Anxiety may cause a loss of appetite if left untreated. Once you start anxiety medications, your appetite may return, or your metabolism may decrease. This may cause you to eat more, and you might see an increase in weight.
However, not everyone taking anxiety medications will gain weight. The weight you may gain may be modest and temporary with proper management strategies.
Anxiety medications aren’t the only medications that may cause weight gain. Those also used to treat depression, which sometimes overlaps with anxiety treatment, and other mood stabilizers may lead to weight gain.
Anxiety and antidepressant medications
Many anxiety medications may potentially cause weight gain. This includes antidepressants, which healthcare professionals commonly prescribe to treat anxiety, too.
A review of 27 studies from 2008 to 2019 found that people
According to a 2018 research review carried out in Canada, antidepressants and anxiety medications that may lead to weight gain include:
- SSRIs and SNRIs such as:
tricyclics (TCAs) such as:- imipramine
- amitriptyline
- nortriptyline
- desipramine
- doxepin
- lithium
- monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), which
are often prescribed off-label for anxiety, including phenelzine and tranylcypromine
In particular, paroxetine, escitalopram, and duloxetine are antidepressants most likely to potentially cause weight gain compared to other antidepressants, according to a 2-year 2024 observational cohort study.
More research, however, is needed as some medications were found to cause both weight gain and weight loss:
Though weight gain is commonly listed as a side effect of many anxiety and antidepressant medications, your response may vary. If you do gain weight, the amount may be modest.
Talk with your prescriber before you stop taking your anxiety medication. They may have you taper off or switch medications if you’re not seeing improvements in symptoms.
Antipsychotic medications and mood stabilizers
Besides anxiety and antidepressant medications, other medications used to treat mental conditions may contribute to weight gain, including antipsychotics and other mood stabilizers. This may include:
- chlorpromazine
- clozapine
- haloperidol
- iloperidone
- lithium
- olanzapine
- paliperidone (also noted to cause weight loss)
- quetiapine (also noted to cause weight loss)
- risperidone
- sertindole
- valproic acid
A study of 395 records from psychiatry outpatient clinics between May 2016 and August 2021 found that those on antipsychotics alone experienced weight gain. Those who also took metformin, a diabetes treatment, were less likely to see weight gain.
Taking an anxiety medication doesn’t guarantee weight gain. But you can make lifestyle changes to prevent or limit weight gain and maintain a moderate weight while on anxiety medication.
You can try (or keep up, if you already do these):
- monitoring your weight from the start of treatment and mentioning any changes to your doctor
- maintaining an active lifestyle with at least
150 minutes of activity weekly, or as you’re able - mindful eating as part of a balanced diet
- sleeping for
7 to 9 hours nightly - managing any stress in your life
Talk with a healthcare professional if you’re concerned about weight gain from anxiety medications.
A registered dietitian may also help you develop an eating plan that works with your anxiety treatment and other health conditions you may be managing.
Many psychiatric medications, including those used to treat anxiety, list weight gain as a possible side effect. But this doesn’t mean you will experience weight gain, and if you do, the amount may be modest.
Speak with a healthcare professional if you’re concerned about weight gain from anxiety medications. You can also try monitoring your weight during treatment, keeping active, and eating mindfully.
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