Wellbutrin-related appetite loss..effect on metabolism?

Question

I've been on Wellbutrin for a couple of weeks now. It does have the side effect I was told it would, which is appetite supression. However, my issue is that, since I'm never ragingly hungry anymore, I often forget to eat. My hunger doesn't distract me so much that I stop what I'm doing to eat.
My concern however is what effect eating so little will have on my metabolism? I have an extra 15 lbs on me I wouldn't mind losing, so I'm at no risk for starvation. But I want to know what do I have to do with my eating to prevent any changes to my metabolism where I start to store weight because of the body's starvation reaction.

Actually, Wellbutrin is not an SSRI, which are notorious for weight gain (that I know from experience). It's a related drug, but with the side effect of appetite supression. Rarely, if ever, does it cause weight gain. More often than not, it causes weight loss. My doctor told me this.

Answer 1

Drugs like that will always change your metabolism and have a tendency to add weight. The lack of appetite goes away in a few weeks and you'll eat like normal, but still gain weight. Just one of the side effects.

Answer 2

Hi,
I'm on Wellbutrin also. From my experience, I'd say to eat a light lunch or a snack at certain times of the day, since you said you sometimes forget to eat (i.e. have a snack everyday at 3p.m., for example.) Obviously, you need some kind of nutrition to keep you going, so be sure what you are eating is healthy. Not sure what your tastes are, but yogurt with a little bit of granola mixed in makes for a good snack and is super healthy. Also, be sure to include lots of fruits and veggies (as I'm sure you know.) The point is that, even though you're not eating as much anymore, what you *are* eating should be healthy. This will help you lose the weight and increase your energy as well.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I can reply subjectively, having in my view been on Wellbutrin for just about a 12 months a few years in the past for despair that it did, actually, act as a usual weight loss suprressant (this occurred to be an unforeseen, albeit great facet outcome) and I ended up ten kilos lighter!