July 15,2024

Study Links Certain Antidepressants to Weight Gain

Your weight can fluctuate over the years for a variety of reasons, many of which are beyond your control. Factors such as changes in diet, decreased exercise, illness, injury, age, and mental health issues can all contribute to weight gain. Additionally, some medications have weight gain as a side effect.

A new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine has identified three specific antidepressants associated with weight gain. The research, involving 183,118 participants, revealed that those taking escitalopram (Lexapro, Cipralex), paroxetine (Paxil, Seroxat), and duloxetine (Cymbalta) were more likely to gain weight.

The team from Harvard Medical School found that individuals taking these medications had a 10 to 15 percent higher risk of gaining five percent or more of their baseline weight. These antidepressants, used to treat depression and anxiety, are also available through the NHS. Escitalopram can additionally help manage obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and panic attacks, while paroxetine is also prescribed for OCD, panic attacks, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The study, conducted over two years, focused on eight common antidepressants. Participants ranged in age from 20 to 80, with an average age of 48.