anti-depressants - have heard that the side effects are weight gain and hair loss. any truth in this?

Question

Just concerned that the cons outweigh the pros

As a reuslt of being depressed (without having yet taken any meds)...I am so stressed that I grind my teeth, cannot sleep, have anxiety attacks, have no libido at all, have put on 4 stone (56lbs) in weight due to comfort eating and drinking

Answer 1

There are many anti-depressants that can be taken which do not have the side effects that you are concerned about, namely weight-gain and hair loss. It is important to remember that every drug has side effects, but not everyone experiences these side effects.

Depression can be successfully treated and there are a number of anti-depressants that your psychiatrist or general practitioner can prescribe. It is important to voice your concerns to your doctor and look at the options that are available. Most anti-depressants take a significant time to kick in, and the first few days are usually a bit rough, namely you may experience odd sensations, and feel slightly disorientated for a while. However, these symptoms do pass.

I recommend that you try an antidepressant called Citalopram as this has few side effects and also treats with depression that may have an anxiety component. However, it has also been shown that talking therapies in conjunction with medication help people affected by depressive illness. I suggest you talk through your options with your doctor and go from there.

You need to take the medication as prescribed and be monitored by your doctor regularly. You also need to take the medication for a considerable time even if symptoms elevate.

The very best of luck!

Answer 2

Weight gain is a common side effect, and affects a large number of people using anti-depressants. Hair loss is not as common.
There are a few newer meds available that have been designed to reduce the risk of weight gain, its worth asking if one of those may be suitable.
There are many other possible uncomfortable side effects, depending on the individual and the med.

Answer 3

It depends on the person and the severity of their condition- For someone suffering from mild depression or anxiety change in diet and exercise along with counseling may be of help to them. However someone suffering from moderate to severe depression (or a bevy of other conditions) may need more help in the form of medication in conjunction with counseling and changes in diet and physical activity.

Each individual reacts differently to every medication but the most common side effects are weight gain and sexual dysfunction... a.k.a decrease of libido. It's possible to have a more severe side effect to any given medication- that's why it's important to speak with your physician or prescribing psychiatrist before beginning any medications- Also be sure to read the medical information that comes with your prescription- if you don't receive it just yahoo the drug name and the manufacturer's web-site will have it listed.

If you're taking anti-depressants it's important to avoid caffeine, alcohol and other drugs because these can interfere with the effectiveness of the medicine. Medication alone can not help you over come feelings of depression (though you will begin to feel better within a month) so it's important that you continue to see a counselor while taking any medications to help resolve any underlying issues or concerns that may have triggered the depression in the first place.

Best Wishes to you and Good Luck!

Answer 4

I was on Celexa for quite a while (longer than needed really) but the only side effect I had was grinding my teeth a night, no weight gain or anything like that. I have tried several and it was the only one I would take, not Lexapro which is supposed to be another version, it was different. If you do try Celexa, make sure you get a mouth guard to wear at night, you can get one at Wal-mart for a couple bucks, like the ones boxers, or football players wear. You don't want to ruin your teeth. But keep in mind whatever med you go on, don't stay on it forever!!! Be smart, get through whatever is troubling you and then get on with your life. Let bye gones be bye gones.

Answer 5

I know weight gain is a side effect but I am not sure about hair loss.

Answer 6

Each anti-depressant has different side effect. The one I am on (Effexor) do not have any bad side effects for me. There have been some that I was on while we were finding what worked for me that really messed with me. One made me feel and act drunk, one prevented me from sleeping and another made me sleep all the time. Prozak made me feel like I was in a fog the whole time and I couldn't feel happy or sad. Work with your Dr and keep a log of your reactions to show him. Remember that it takes up to two weeks for the medicine to build up an effective level in your bloodstream.

Answer 7

Paxil causes weight gain; there are others that cause weight loss. Talk to your doctor. I do know that you cannot quit taking Paxil cold turkey. And I have a friend who took it "when she needed it." That doesn't work either.
Anti depressants have to be taken every day, and worrying about weight gain will defeat the purpose.

Answer 8

All tablets are different go to your doctors and tell the how you feel they will defenitly perscribe anti-depressants.If its the side affects that bother you read the leaflet that comes with the tablets before you start to any but allways remeber that would you rather gain a couple of pounds or have your life in under and beable to cope with everyday life again.

Answer 9

Hi there.
I used to be on citalopram and my sister is on others and we both gained weight (quite a lot)
Been hard to lose it again. Sister still on them.
No other side effects for me but sister has sweats.
Avoid if you can.
Sometimes hard to get off them too. I tried at first and it was terrible.

Answer 10

it really depends on the individual, just because a particular drug may have caused this in one person, in no way indicates it will in another. Just be aware, antidepressants are NOT happy pills. They do not "fix" depression. What they do is make it possible for you to think clearly enough so that you can work with your issues causing the depression. In other words, the meds without therapy, are not going to do much good.