Which SSRI Medication Has The Least Propensity For Causing Weight

Posted on Tue, 19 May 2020

Question: Which SSRI medication has the least propensity for causing weight gain? I find that everything I have tried has led to rapid weight gain.

Please share - thanks.

Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (59 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Sertraline

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to the HCM.

Almost all the antidepressants can cause weight gain except a few like bupropion and tianeptine and vilazodone.

Among SSRI medications, sertraline has the least propensity to cause weight gain in my experience.
If I have to arrange SSRI in order of drug having low weight gain potential to highest, then my sequence would be:
1. sertraline (least weight gain)
2. fluvoxamine
3. fluoxetine
4. paroxetine
5. escitalopram(most weight gain)

This is what I have observed in my clinical practice.

However, the effects may vary from person to person.

Hope this helps.

Regards.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj