It is well known that some medications cause weight gain. I know someone who gained 12 pounds quickly when she started a new antidepressent. Why does this happen? Does it have anything to do with increased appetite? If not (that is, if affected people aren't eating more) how is this explained by those who say weight is a simple matter of burning more calories than you ingest?

Although I am not a medical expert, some make you retain water - - some change the metabolism (slows down). I know when I take my allergy medication, I gain "water weight" and when I stop...I lose it. Strange...because I must choose weather to suffer with my allergies or lose weight faster - -stinks.

Check out this article posted at the Atkins Center website .. Prescription Drugs and Metabolic Resistance. There are links within that piece to discussions of specific meds, such as estrogen and other hormones, drugs for blood pressure, antidepressants and arthritis. It's true that some medications we take to help certain health problems ultimately can stall our weight loss efforts. OTOH, one shouldn't stop taking ANY prescribed medication except under their dr's supervision.

Sometimes we have to accept a compromise situation. I have found over the years that there are some meds I can't do without -- there's no herb or althernative treatment that works. However, since low-carbing and getting off the sugar rollercoaster, I've been able to significantly reduce the dosage, which is a good thing


Doreen

I can answer from my own experience--have started on a new antidepressant, Lexapro, and am now struggling to maintain my weight loss. In my case, it's a matter of increased appetite--and the fact that everything tastes so good.

Same here. One specific anti-depressant that I started taking brought me up about 15 kgs. Likewise, because of the well-being I started eating like I had never before (I didn't take much pleasure in eating).

My appetite is quite satisfied with this WOE and I never feel hungry (except bore meals!).

But it is a big struggle to shed those pounds...