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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Have Gained Weight. Took Lexapro. Is It Because Of The Medicine?

I have been on Lexapro for 1.5 yrs, has helped me with anxiety tremendously but i have gained about 30 lbs and do not really have any bad eating habits. If I wean from the medicine, should the weight come off? I had no idea this would cause this, now I am reducing calories and still not losing weight. My thyroid has nearly doubled and I am taking a replacement as well just to see if the sleepiness would go away, Help!
Thu, 18 Apr 2013
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Internal Medicine Specialist 's  Response
Hi
The most common side effects associated with escitalopram are agitation or restlessness, blurred vision, diarrhea, difficulty sleeping, drowsiness, dry mouth, fever, frequent urination, headache, indigestion, nausea, increased or decreased appetite, increased sweating, sexual difficulties (decreased sexual ability or desire, ejaculatory delay), taste alterations, tremor (shaking), and weight changes.
My understanding is the weight gain from this medication is not permanent and it should go away if you reduce the dose or stop it, although the problem is if it helping you so much with the anxiety it may be very difficult to do .
Please check your thyroid levels regularly and adjust the dose according to your doctor's advise, eat a low calorie food and have lot of physical activity, this should help in weight loss as well as in anxiety/depression.
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Have Gained Weight. Took Lexapro. Is It Because Of The Medicine?

Hi The most common side effects associated with escitalopram are agitation or restlessness, blurred vision, diarrhea, difficulty sleeping, drowsiness, dry mouth, fever, frequent urination, headache, indigestion, nausea, increased or decreased appetite, increased sweating, sexual difficulties (decreased sexual ability or desire, ejaculatory delay), taste alterations, tremor (shaking), and weight changes. My understanding is the weight gain from this medication is not permanent and it should go away if you reduce the dose or stop it, although the problem is if it helping you so much with the anxiety it may be very difficult to do . Please check your thyroid levels regularly and adjust the dose according to your doctor s advise, eat a low calorie food and have lot of physical activity, this should help in weight loss as well as in anxiety/depression.