Divya Nair Divya Nair Asked 4 months ago

Can anxiety meds cause weight loss?

My friend started taking anxiety medication a few months ago, and she looks so much thinner now. She says she doesn't eat as much. Do anxiety medications generally cause people to lose weight?

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15 answers

Rohan Deshmukh Rohan Deshmukh Joined Mar 2026 4 months ago
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Yes, some specific anxiety medications are known to act as appetite suppressants or alter your metabolism. I track my daily calorie intake on MyFitnessPal, and when I was on meds, I noticed my daily calorie consumption dropped significantly because I just didn't feel hungry. Better to log your food and discuss this data with your doctor.

Paramjit Singh Paramjit Singh Joined Apr 2026 4 months ago

These modern medicines work differently on everyone's body chemistry, dear. Sometimes they can settle your mind but reduce your hunger. Focus on eating clean, natural foods and stay positive. Do have a gentle talk with your doctor so they can guide you on this.

Siddharth Sen Siddharth Sen Joined Jan 2026 4 months ago

While many people associate anxiety medications with weight gain, certain classes of drugs can indeed cause weight loss by reducing appetite or causing mild nausea. It is a highly subjective response. I strongly recommend discussing this with your prescribing psychiatrist to see if your current medication is the cause.

Sunita Sharma Sunita Sharma Joined Mar 2026 4 months ago

I see this question a lot here. Yes, while weight gain is more common, weight loss is also a very real side effect of some anxiety meds. Keep a simple dairy of what you are eating and how you feel, and show it to your doctor during your next visit. They are the best judge.

Riya Banerjee Riya Banerjee Joined May 2026 4 months ago

Oh, this happened to me too! When I started my prescription last year, I completely lost my craving for food and dropped 4 kgs in a month. I had to consciously remind myself to eat small meals like curd rice or fruit bowls. Definitely keep your doc in the loop about this.

Kriti Saxena Kriti Saxena Joined Jan 2026 4 months ago

I just started my anxiety meds ten days ago and I have already lost 2 kgs because I don't feel like eating anything. Is this normal or is something wrong with me? Did anyone else experience this when they first started their treatment?

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Consult a dietary specialist

Amit Chaudhary Amit Chaudhary Joined May 2026 4 months ago

If your anxiety meds are suppressing your appetite and causing weight loss, you need to make sure you aren't losing muscle. Focus on eating calorie-dense, nutrient-rich foods like nuts, peanut butter, and eggs. But check with your doctor first to see if a change in medication is better for your fitness goals.

Vikram Rathore Vikram Rathore Joined Jan 2026 4 months ago

Yes, they can. When I was prescribed a certain medication, my appetite vanished for the first three weeks and I lost weight. My doctor told me to stick to a routine of high-protein shakes and nuts so I didn't lose muscle mass. Talk to your doctor; they can easily adjust the dosage if needed.

Karan Malhotra Karan Malhotra Joined Apr 2026 4 months ago

When I noticed my weight dropping after starting my treatment, I scheduled an appointment at my hospital immediately. My doctor explained that some medications affect dopamine and serotonin pathways which regulate hunger. It is best to get a clear explanation from your doctor rather than relying on forum posts.

Rajesh Mehta Rajesh Mehta Joined May 2026 4 months ago

As someone managing diabetes, I have to be extremely careful with any medication that alters my appetite or weight, as it directly impacts my blood sugar levels. If you are diabetic or have other metabolic issues, any weight loss from anxiety meds needs to be monitored very closely by your doctor.

Ananya Sen Ananya Sen Joined Jan 2026 4 months ago

I remember crying because I felt like my body was changing so fast and I had no control over it. It is really scary when meds cause unexpected weight loss. Please be gentle with yourself, you are not alone in this, and definitely talk to your doctor so they can support you.

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Pooja Hegde Pooja Hegde Joined May 2026 4 months ago

Some medicines can lower your appetite, which might lead to a calorie deficit and weight loss. If your doctor allows, try maintaining a light routine of walking to keep your digestion healthy and ensure you are getting enough nutrition to support your active body.

Abhishek Roy Abhishek Roy Joined Jun 2026 4 months ago

Don't listen to people online saying this is normal or trying to give you dietary fixes. Only your doctor knows why they prescribed that specific molecule to you. If you are experiencing weight loss, go back to your psychiatrist and ask them directly instead of guessing.

Sneha Patil Sneha Patil Joined Jun 2026 4 months ago

I am a bit nervous to ask this, but my doctor just suggested I start anxiety meds. I am already quite underweight, so will these medicines make me lose even more weight? I would really appreciate if anyone who has been on them could share their experience.

Meera Nair Meera Nair Joined Jul 2026 4 months ago

Certain anxiety pills can cause a dry mouth or slight stomach irritation, making you eat less. Sipping warm fennel water or buttermilk can help calm your stomach. But if you are experiencing extreme weakness or rapid weight loss, please do not ignore it and consult your doctor immediately.

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