Antidepressants and weight gain: positive choices for your physical and mental health
If you’re taking antidepressants and you’re worried about gaining weight on them, it’s important to speak to your GP about your concerns. While it’s true that some antidepressants have associations with weight gain, there are also an array of physical benefits that come from working on your mental health.
There’s an established association between depression and obesity. By prioritising your mental health with medication that helps you, you’re on your journey to managing your weight, too.
If you’re interested in losing weight while on antidepressants, you may benefit from a weight management programme. Oviva is a service available on the NHS that provides prescription weight loss injections and expert support for behavioural changes. We can offer personal coaching in areas like diet and exercise and provide mental health support along the way.
Key Takeaways
- The relationship between antidepressants and weight gain is multifaceted.
- Some antidepressants have an association with weight gain. However, it’s still possible to lose weight while taking these medications and accessing the right professional support and medication can help you to make positive lifestyle changes.
- The priority should always be to support your mental health – if your antidepressants are helping you, the changes you want to make for weight management will feel more manageable.
- Oviva can provide expert, professional support for your mental health, as well as weight loss medication.
Do antidepressants cause weight gain?
While some antidepressants have been associated with weight gain through clinical trials, that’s not the whole story. While certain medications have associations with weight gain, it’s still possible to achieve weight loss while taking them.
These antidepressants help to manage the symptoms of depression, and this can lead to motivation, energy and overall well-being gains, all of which can help on your weight loss journey.
Examples that are commonly prescribed in the UK include:
- Paroxetine (brand name Seroxat)
- Mirtazapine (brand name Zispine)
- Amitriptyline (brand name Elavil)
- Citalopram (brand name Cipramil)
Other antidepressants, such as fluoxetine (brand name Prozac) and sertraline (brand name Lustral), are either weight-neutral or mildly associated with weight loss.
So why may some antidepressants cause weight gain? Some antidepressants may directly impact appetite pathways, while some experts suggest the antidepressant effect may result in an increased appetite in some people.
How can I avoid gaining weight on antidepressants?
There are various ways of avoiding antidepressant weight gain. These typically involve making positive choices for your mental and physical health, all of which are often easier to start when any symptoms of depression are being managed.
Choose the right antidepressants
You should always follow the advice of healthcare professionals, and your mental health should come first. However, it’s worth discussing the different antidepressant options available. Some, such as fluoxetine and sertraline, are more conducive to weight loss than others.
Monitor changes early on
When you first start a new treatment, it’s a good idea to monitor your weight and pay attention to any changes. You can then discuss these changes with healthcare professionals and consider the available options, such as lifestyle changes or modifications in your treatment.
Incorporate physical activity
Weight gain antidepressants can be counterbalanced by lifestyle changes, and physical activity is one of the key areas to focus on. Exercise can not only assist your physical health but also help boost your mood and overall well-being. You can begin with activities like stretching and walking and gradually build up to more strenuous exercise as and when you feel comfortable. Exercise can be invaluable for achieving sustainable weight loss.
Maintain a balanced diet
To support weight loss on antidepressants, it’s important to adopt a diet that’s focused on nutrient-rich whole foods. These include fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains. Avoid ultra-processed foods and consider options with a proven track record, such as the Mediterranean Diet. The best diet for weight loss should be sustainable and enjoyable. Your diet can also affect mood, so try to make healthy choices as much as possible.
Seek mental health support
Talking therapies and techniques like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help to address both mood disorders and weight management issues. It’s also beneficial to set realistic and achievable health goals. Work with healthcare professionals to develop a sustainable health plan and some coping strategies for when you encounter difficulties.
Get professional nutritional support
Getting support from a medical professional or weight management programme like Oviva can help you on your journey with personalised care and support.
With Oviva, there’s no specific diet to follow or a rules-based system to adhere to. Instead, our team of experts will work with you to develop a plan that suits your needs, lifestyle and circumstances.
Consider weight loss medication
There are several treatments for obesity, including weight loss medication. Wegovy and Saxenda can be taken alongside antidepressants and can help you achieve your goals. You can obtain prescription weight loss medication on the NHS through Oviva if you’re eligible. If you want to find out whether you’re eligible, our simple survey will tell you.
Can I still lose weight while taking antidepressants?
Yes, you can still lose weight while taking antidepressants, and this is still true even if you’re taking an antidepressant that has an association with weight gain. Crucially, controlling the symptoms of depression can help to boost energy and motivation, which aids weight loss.
Effective antidepressants can make it easier to adhere to a weight loss plan, so it’s important to prioritise your mental health first and then address concerns about your weight second. Combining medication with talking therapies can help with mood and weight loss.
Personalised support for dietary and behavioural change can be especially beneficial. You’ll be able to access this as part of Oviva’s weight management programme.
Weight loss is a gradual process, and this is especially true when managing depression symptoms. Try to be consistent and patient, and seek out professional help when you need it.
We’d love to support your health journey
While there’s a link between certain antidepressants and weight gain, you can still lose weight when taking your medication. In some cases, it may be worth discussing which is the best antidepressant to support weight loss, but your mental health should always take priority.
Oviva is a weight management programme available on the NHS that helps to support behavioural change and positive habit building. If you’re eligible for referral to Oviva, you can benefit from prescription weight loss medication, dietary advice, psychological support and more.
Our team includes doctors, nurses, dietitians, and psychologists. We can help you achieve sustainable weight loss and long-term weight management. The Oviva app also makes it easy to track meals, exercise, and mood while accessing advice and support.
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