Gautam Rao Gautam Rao Asked 9 months ago

Does escitaloprám cause weight gain?

I started taking Escitalopram a few months ago for my depression. Since then, I've noticed a significant increase in my weight, and my clothes are getting tighter. Is it common for Escitalopram to cause weight gain?

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10 answers

Vikram Malhotra Vikram Malhotra Joined Mar 2026 7 months ago
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Yes, it can cause weight changes in some people. My doctor explained that the medicine itself doesn't directly add fat, but it increases your appetite once your mood starts improving and you feel relaxed. He advised me to monitor my daily calorie intake and avoid late-night snacking when the cravings hit.

Suresh Gupta Suresh Gupta Joined Mar 2026 7 months ago

Before you start spending thousands on gym memberships or expensive diet programs to stop weight gain, check your thyroid first. A simple thyroid profile test costs around 300 to 400 rupees at local labs. If that is normal, then it is just the medicine making you feel hungrier, which you can control with home food.

Neha Kapoor Neha Kapoor Joined Feb 2026 9 months ago

Listen, don't stress too much about the weight right now. Your mental peace is way more important than a couple of kilos here and there, trust me! Just focus on feeling better first. Once your mind is happy, you will automatically find the energy to walk and stay fit. You got this, chill!

Karthik Subramanian Karthik Subramanian Joined Jul 2026 4 months ago

I had a really tough time with this. I gained almost 8 kgs in just two months without changing my diet, and it messed up my metabolic health. Please don't ignore it if you notice sudden swelling or rapid weight gain. Go back to your doctor and ask if they can adjust the dosage or change the molecule.

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Arun Mishra Arun Mishra Joined Feb 2026 8 months ago

Stay calm and positive, my friend. This medicine is just helping your mind heal right now, so accept the body's changes with love. Eat simple, mindful meals, practice a little deep breathing in the morning, and trust the process. Everything will fall into place if you take care of your inner self.

Kriti Verma Kriti Verma Joined Feb 2026 8 months ago

Oh God, I am also on this and I check my weight every single morning because of this fear! It is so stressful thinking about side effects. But my sister told me that stressing actually releases cortisol which causes more weight gain. Try to focus on how much calmer you feel now, we will manage the weight together!

Meenakshi Iyer Meenakshi Iyer Joined May 2026 6 months ago

My mother-in-law told me to drink barley water daily to avoid water retention weight from these English medicines. I did that, but honestly, my doctor said it's just mild metabolic slowing. He told me to eat normal home-cooked food with less rice, and my weight has been quite stable since then.

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Amit Saxena Amit Saxena Joined May 2026 6 months ago

Agree with others, it definitely increases appetite. Keep some roasted chana nearby to munch on instead of junk food.

Rohan Deshpande Rohan Deshpande Joined Jun 2026 5 months ago

Please don't follow these random diet hacks people are posting here. Everyone's body chemistry reacts differently to psychiatric drugs. If you are worried about putting on weight, talk to the specialist who wrote the prescription. They are the only ones who can guide you safely.

Shalini Deshmukh Shalini Deshmukh Joined Jul 2026 4 months ago

I faced this exact issue last year. The medicine makes you crave sweets and carbs, which is the main culprit. What worked for me was portion control and drinking a glass of warm water before meals. Also, make sure you walk for at least 30 minutes daily to keep your metabolism active.

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