Dinesh Bhatia Dinesh Bhatia Asked 9 months ago

Does lexapro cause weight gain or loss?

The doctor has recommended Lexapro for my anxiety, but I'm concerned about how it will affect my weight. Does Lexapro typically cause weight gain or weight loss?

15

15 answers

Riya Sen Riya Sen Joined Feb 2026 8 months ago
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Listen, don't stress too much about the weight thing right now. Some people gain a bit because they finally feel relaxed enough to eat, and others actually lose weight. Just focus on feeling better mentally first, okay?

Siddharth Rao Siddharth Rao Joined Apr 2026 6 months ago

If you are worried about weight fluctuations, it is best to plan your health budget practically. Get a basic thyroid and lipid panel test done before starting, so you have a baseline. It only costs around 500-700 rupees and saves you from guessing later.

Karan Malhotra Karan Malhotra Joined May 2026 6 months ago

Whether you gain or lose depends mostly on how the medicine affects your daily energy levels and appetite. The best way to counter any unwanted changes is to stay consistent with lifting weights and eating high-protein meals. Just keep moving.

Sanjay Verma Sanjay Verma Joined Jan 2026 9 months ago

I ignored my rapid weight changes while taking self-prescribed pills years ago and it really messed up my health. Please do not ignore these changes. If you see a sudden rise or drop in your weight, get it checked by your doctor immediately.

Karthik Subramanian Karthik Subramanian Joined Feb 2026 9 months ago

My mother advised me to drink warm water with honey to prevent any weight gain from these strong tablets. While I respect her advice, I discussed it with my doctor who explained that metabolic changes are highly individual. I chose to trust my doctor's guidance.

Divya Rao Divya Rao Joined Feb 2026 8 months ago

I was just doing some research on SSRIs because my roommate might start them soon. It seems really interesting how the same pill can cause weight loss in some people by reducing emotional eating, but cause weight gain in others.

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Abhishek Joshi Abhishek Joshi Joined Feb 2026 8 months ago

Lexapro can play double agent here—it might make you crave fries or make you forget to eat entirely. For me, it was definitely the fries. But hey, a happy brain with a little extra weight is a pretty good deal!

Priyanka Roy Priyanka Roy Joined Feb 2026 8 months ago

I spent days reading every single forum post about Lexapro and weight changes, which just made my anxiety worse. In the end, my weight barely changed at all. Try not to overthink it, everyone's body reacts so differently to these medications.

Sunita Joshi Sunita Joshi Joined Mar 2026 7 months ago

Drinking green tea and practicing deep breathing can help keep your digestion steady during medication changes. However, if you experience sudden and extreme weight gain or loss, home remedies won't help. You must consult your doctor to check your health parameters.

Neha Sharma Neha Sharma Joined Apr 2026 7 months ago

It is so hard when you are trying to heal your mind but constantly worrying about what it will do to your body. I struggled with severe anxiety about gaining weight on Lexapro. Just know that your feelings are valid, but your mental peace is worth the physical adjustment.

Ananya Nair Ananya Nair Joined May 2026 6 months ago

Did anyone else actually experience weight loss in the first few weeks of starting Lexapro? I have completely lost my appetite and I am feeling a bit worried. Is this a normal phase that passes?

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Vikram Sethi Vikram Sethi Joined May 2026 6 months ago

When I was prescribed this at Medanta, I asked my doctor directly about the weight risk. He told me that while weight gain is more common long-term, some patients do lose weight initially. You must clear these doubts with your doctor directly.

Amit Saxena Amit Saxena Joined May 2026 5 months ago

I cannot say what will happen in your case, but I can share my own experience. When I was on Lexapro, I actually lost about three kilos in the first month because my constant nervous snacking finally stopped. It really depends on your body.

Rajesh Nambiar Rajesh Nambiar Joined Jun 2026 5 months ago

Do not rely on random online advice or herbal weight loss powders to counter medication side effects. Lexapro alters brain chemistry, and any weight change should be managed clinically. Always verify your symptoms with your psychiatrist.

Manju Devi Manju Devi Joined Jun 2026 5 months ago

I tried taking triphala and methi seeds daily to avoid gaining weight when I was on this medicine. They definitely helped keep my digestion clean, but they couldn't stop the hunger pangs. You just have to be practical and focus on simple home-cooked food.

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