Does Effexor cause weight gain?

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-18-2003
Does Effexor cause weight gain?
18
Wed, 07-28-2004 - 3:41pm
I am considering meds but DO NOT want want that causes weight gain. Any experiences with this?

THanks,

Joanne

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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-28-2004
Wed, 07-28-2004 - 6:43pm
I've gained weight and I attribute most of it to Effexor. I tried to go off Effexor and go on Wellbutrin due to that and my lack of sex drive but the Welbutrin did not work for me. Back on Effexor. I honestly don't want to be on anything and it scares me that when I tried to get off, I was severely depressed and unbearably irritable. I've always been thin (high metabolism) and since the Effexor I've gained about 15#. I don't exercise and although I hear it's something I should do, I just don't seem to get motivated. I just feel like I am in a vicious cycle. Either I am a depressed/irritable but sexual witch or I am a fat, non-sexual normal woman. What a choice!
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-18-2003
Wed, 07-28-2004 - 8:22pm
My sister takes Effexor and lost 25 pounds. But she seems to be the ONLY one in the world who lost weight on it! I am already fighting a weight problem so I hate to take a pill that is going to make me gain. That will depress me even more!

Joanne

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-18-2007
Wed, 07-28-2004 - 8:54pm

I have been on Effexor for more than a year.

 

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CL-ladybug987

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-28-2004
Wed, 07-28-2004 - 9:03pm
I don't know about this syndrome. I just know that when I tried to switch to Welbutrin it didn't work. Maybe I should see a psychiatrist who is more familiar with these drugs than my PCP? She is a good doc though and very up-to-date on drugs. UGH! I hate this whole medication thing anyway. I don't want to be on this medication forever and we are supposed to try to wean me again in 4 months.

Tricia

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Thu, 07-29-2004 - 11:13am

Hi and welcome!


Everyones body I think reacts differently to each of the anti depressants so it would be difficult to say 100% whether you would gain weight or not.

*hugs             

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-17-2004
Thu, 07-29-2004 - 12:56pm
I started Effexor about three weeks ago and have had very little appetite and have lost weight on it. Usually, I constantly crave sweets, but now, I never do. I used to drink two or three cokes a day, but now I might drink one a week. I just had a cucumber with low fat vinigerette on it and two glasses of water for lunch, and I feel stuffed. I don't know how much I've lost, but I can tighten my belt two holes past what I used to! Samantha
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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-18-2003
Thu, 07-29-2004 - 4:54pm
Thanks for the replies! So strange how some will gain and some will lose with Effexor. Are there any other side effects that are really bothersome? How long did it take before you all started to feel better?

Joanne

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Thu, 07-29-2004 - 8:24pm
I took Zoloft and personally I noticed a difference almost immediately though it did take about a month to really consistently make me feel better.

*hugs             

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-20-2004
Fri, 07-30-2004 - 4:52pm
Hi Girls,

I just switched from zoloft to efexor,and I love it.I was so moody with zoloft and irretible,whoa!But with effexor i feel good,relaxed.I can actually put up with my 3 kids.I hope to god i don`t start gaining weight,that would be a bummer.Oh and I sleep sooooo good too.

ivrose

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-28-2004
Sat, 07-31-2004 - 5:57pm
well I noticed that I felt better in about 4 weeks. The other side effects for me were insomnia that eventually went away and bizarre dreams and nightmares. I still have the strange dreams but I am used to it. Weight gain has been about 15#. The trying to get off "dissociative" syndrome is what scares me. I want to get off this stuff in a few more months and I wonder if I can. All I can do is ask the doctors.

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