Rajeshwari Iyer Rajeshwari Iyer Asked 7 months ago

Do antidepressants cause weight gain?

My psychiatrist has suggested I start taking antidepressants for my condition. I'm really trying to improve my mental health, but I'm also worried about potential side effects. Do antidepressants commonly cause weight gain, as I've heard from some people?

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6 answers

Anjali Deshmukh Anjali Deshmukh Joined Jun 2026 4 months ago
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Yes, some of these medicines definitely make you gain weight, happened to me too. Keep an eye on your late-night cravings and try to keep healthy snacks ready.

Vikram Rathore Vikram Rathore Joined Mar 2026 7 months ago

Yes, they can slow down your metabolism slightly or increase cravings. Try keeping your protein intake a bit higher and do light strength training three times a week. It helps manage the calorie burn even if the meds are active.

Rohan Malhotra Rohan Malhotra Joined Feb 2026 7 months ago

It completely depends on the specific compound your doctor has prescribed you. Some cause a bit of water retention or increase appetite, while others don't have this effect at all. Better to discuss this directly with your psychiatrist so they can choose the right option for you.

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Consult a dietary specialist

Suresh Iyer Suresh Iyer Joined May 2026 6 months ago

They can cause changes, but before you start changing diets, get a basic thyroid and lipid profile done which costs around 800-1000 rupees. That way you have a baseline and dont spend extra money on random weight loss plans later.

Amit Kulkarni Amit Kulkarni Joined May 2026 5 months ago

Actually weight gain issue is real with some pills, yaar. I was on them last year and noticed a sudden change in my appetite within two months. Just talk to your doc once, they can change the brand if it's bothering you too much.

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Kriti Sen Kriti Sen Joined Jun 2026 5 months ago

Don't stress too much about the weight thing right now, yaar. Getting your mental peace back is so much more important first. We can always manage the weight later with simple walks and home food, relax!

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