celexa and appetite change

Today is my third day on Celexa, and the past two days I have noticed a huge change in my appetite. While I'm not necessarily starving, my stomach just feels constantly empty and eating doesn't make it go away. I've been really conscious NOT to eat more than I normally would because I refuse to gain weight, but I feel that even if I did increase my food intake I still wouldn't feel full. It's really frustrating and is making me think about stopping already, as I'm scared I will eventually gain weight (not due to what I'm eating, but I've heard that the pill slows your metabolism and there's nothing you can do to stop the weight gain). Has anyone else had this problem, or problems with weight gain on this med?

My doc explained it as follows:
If the reason what you're taking citalopram for made prevented you from eating properly, then you'd probably put on a couple of (healthy) pounds.
If it made you stuff yourself and eat your misery away, then the meds will probably cause you to lose weight.
We me it made no difference, although I have put on a couple of pounds, but that's because I became more physically active and therefore may have converted some body-fat for muscle tissue, which is heavier than body-fat.
Also keep in mind that for citalopram to have its proper effect, it will take 4 to 6 weeks, during which you may experience a bunch of side-effects, most of which will disappear.
I found it very important to start working out more and get your breathing and daily rhythm in balance so that you create a clean body for a clean mind. I recently did a one week fast to clean myself out and reset my metabolism. That as not easy but now that I've settled in my 'perfect' food-schedule it feels wonderfully healthy.

A word to the wise: Give it a try and finish the 4 to 6 weeks before deciding that your waistline is more important than your mind.(and I don't mean to be mean or insensitive.)

How are you? How do you reset your metabolism? Please tell me more. I have put on weight since i have been on celexa. I think a major part is that i am not as obessed with my weight as i used to. I want to lose the pounds that i have gained. Any advise is much appreciated. take care

Hi Holden, It's always wise to assess whether it is a desired preoccupation or whether it's an obsession. Unfortunately, here in the socalled civilized Western world and (solely speaking for myself) also in the US, the fashiobale idea of beauty in general and that of the ladies in particular nudges well past the fine line at which normal metabolism and ketosis meet.
Personally, I prefer a more natural model. At my age I have no desire having to contrast my rotund self with someone who physically looks as if sheccould be my grandchild. I never went for the waif-like format.
As to healthily losing a couple of pounds by resetting your metabolism:
1. Stock up on chicken broth and ripe soft fruit like ripe bananas, mangos, you know the drill.
2. Make sure that you have access to good clean (unchlorinated) water. You plan for a week and 8x 8 ouncers a daily (minimal).
3. Two days before your fast, you stop eating roughage, whole-wheat, raw veggies, nuts etc, but for the rest eat as normal as posible. Good choices are pasta, white-dough pizza, cheese, eggs and milk products like yoghurt.
4. On the first day of your fast, you start the day with a glass of water and for the rest you drink chicken broth, coffee and tea, all without sugar or milk and a glass of water in between.
5. Repeat day one until you have been passing nearly clear fluid for a whole day. I normally continue for a full week after ash-wednesday, but that's my choice based on other things than diet of the body.
In any case; At this point you are clean (on the inside) and ready to start building up the diet that you want to follow. Something along the lines of South Beach Diet that's tasty, but cuts out the 'nasty' carbs, would do nicely.
Your body, by then empty and deprived as it is, is at that point primed to start working with anything it gets, and rapidly adjusts itself to your chosen intake. It resets itself to make do with you feed it and as long as you don't overfeed it at that stage, it will process your intake much more pleasantly and efficiently. Keep a bunch of low-fat mozzarella cheese-sticks handy for the inevitable pangs and cravings and as long as you stick with the diet, you can expect to first lose the lard where it bothers you the most, My guess is the benzene-ring around the waistline.
That's it in a nutshell.
Hope it helps you.

The drug affects blood sugar levels. However there are thought to be other mechanisms at work in relation to appetite change/weight change/type of food intake change.

It's a common side-effect.

For the first six months or so on-drug, weight change can go either way. Some people are affected by nausea & gut problems (huge amounts ofd serotonin tied up with the digestive system). After the initial months, there is a trend for increased weight gain, as per all the SSRIs. Lots of documentation available on the net, simply google on terms like 'weight gain' and 'SSRIs.'

thanks so much for the advise. i'll try, hope it works. I have gained way too much weight.

Meerkat wrote:

Hi Holden, It's always wise to assess whether it is a desired preoccupation or whether it's an obsession. Unfortunately, here in the socalled civilized Western world and (solely speaking for myself) also in the US, the fashiobale idea of beauty in general and that of the ladies in particular nudges well past the fine line at which normal metabolism and ketosis meet.
Personally, I prefer a more natural model. At my age I have no desire having to contrast my rotund self with someone who physically looks as if sheccould be my grandchild. I never went for the waif-like format.
As to healthily losing a couple of pounds by resetting your metabolism:
1. Stock up on chicken broth and ripe soft fruit like ripe bananas, mangos, you know the drill.
2. Make sure that you have access to good clean (unchlorinated) water. You plan for a week and 8x 8 ouncers a daily (minimal).
3. Two days before your fast, you stop eating roughage, whole-wheat, raw veggies, nuts etc, but for the rest eat as normal as posible. Good choices are pasta, white-dough pizza, cheese, eggs and milk products like yoghurt.
4. On the first day of your fast, you start the day with a glass of water and for the rest you drink chicken broth, coffee and tea, all without sugar or milk and a glass of water in between.
5. Repeat day one until you have been passing nearly clear fluid for a whole day. I normally continue for a full week after ash-wednesday, but that's my choice based on other things than diet of the body.
In any case; At this point you are clean (on the inside) and ready to start building up the diet that you want to follow. Something along the lines of South Beach Diet that's tasty, but cuts out the 'nasty' carbs, would do nicely.
Your body, by then empty and deprived as it is, is at that point primed to start working with anything it gets, and rapidly adjusts itself to your chosen intake. It resets itself to make do with you feed it and as long as you don't overfeed it at that stage, it will process your intake much more pleasantly and efficiently. Keep a bunch of low-fat mozzarella cheese-sticks handy for the inevitable pangs and cravings and as long as you stick with the diet, you can expect to first lose the lard where it bothers you the most, My guess is the benzene-ring around the waistline.
That's it in a nutshell.
Hope it helps you.

I have had no appetite since I started Celexa, I eat mereley because I know I have to and I have lost 16 lbs so far. I saw on my pharmacy insert that it was used to treat complusive eating and perhaps thats why I have no appetite. However I am not complaining I have no stomach upset or and adverse side effects so far, although I have only been on it for 60 days, I am loving it! I guess it can also wear off in time.

I have lost 12lbs. since I started Celexa...9 Days Ago...

I have put on 25 lbs....which is pretty depressing in itself. I start feeling sick to my stomach if I don't eat for a long time. That never used to happen. Plus, I am more sedentary and less motivated on Celexa...but stay on it so I can function...can't lose my job. I hate the side effects though & hate not being able to fit into my clothes...

I have been on and off citilopram for a few years. My latest course i have been on 2 yrs. I have been taking the diet aid alli as well as a low fat diet and i am excersizing but i am losing very little weight. Which is depressing when you read the comments on the alli website. Could my metabolism be affected so much that the alli as little affect?

Helen Windle wrote:

I have been on and off citilopram for a few years. My latest course i have been on 2 yrs. I have been taking the diet aid alli as well as a low fat diet and i am excersizing but i am losing very little weight. Which is depressing when you read the comments on the alli website. Could my metabolism be affected so much that the alli as little affect?

I don't think Ali works for everyone.

I just started Citalopram 10 days ago and I've really had a loss of appetite. I haven't lost weight but am losing body fat and getting leaner. Problem is, I am a body builder and at some point I'll start losing lean muscle mass too. Does the loss of appetite subside. Nothing tastes good and I get full after a few bites of anything. Or maybe that's just because I'm depressed?....

Today is my 12th day of Celexa and I am having an extreme loss of appetite but I can't really blame the medication because I've been having this problem months before I decided to go to my doc. I lost over 13lbs and I am already thin so now I've become obsessed with my appetite which is probably just making things worse. I force myself to eat but just a few bites like Chris said and that's it. I'm going to continue to give the meds a full month but as of now I'm not really noticing too much difference..however it's still early. Everyone around me seems to be dieting and I'm trying to gain weight?? It makes no sense and it's really annoying. I can say the Celexa has helped with my anxiety though but as for an energy level increase it's very slow in happening but I do have random "boosts" and then I'll be right back to zero energy. Maybe some of you can let me know how long it took for you to notice an increase in appetite or did you have to change medications?

I just started Celexa(6 doses) and some of the side effects that I'm experiencing are drowsiness and, in a sense, a slower thought process. I was also prescribed Klonipin 0.5 mg 3x daily as needed, which I have to take.
Any idea if the side effects are from Celexa or Klonipin...or combo of both??
I will stop taking Klonipin on week 4 of Celexa, do you think these side effects will go away or diminish somewhat?

Thanks so much for listening!

I have been on 10-20mg of citalopram (generic Celexa) for 6mos. The drowsiness still persists but the appetite stabilizes after the 1st month or 6 wks... I take my doasge at night about 2hrs before bed. It really helps me sleep.

Melissa wrote:

I just started Celexa(6 doses) and some of the side effects that I'm experiencing are drowsiness and, in a sense, a slower thought process. I was also prescribed Klonipin 0.5 mg 3x daily as needed, which I have to take.
Any idea if the side effects are from Celexa or Klonipin...or combo of both??
I will stop taking Klonipin on week 4 of Celexa, do you think these side effects will go away or diminish somewhat?
Thanks so much for listening!

Melissa,

I took Klonopin for a long time for anxiety in combination with a variety of antidepressants. I only took 0.5mg once each evening so that the drowsiness and fogginess would mostly wear off by the time I woke up the next day and the anti-anxiety effects would linger. Klonopin made me feel like I was almost stupid because of my slow thought process. I think that your side effects will definitely be alleviated, at least somewhat, when you stop taking the Klonopin, though I have just started taking Celexa myself and can't really speak to its side effects.

I hope this helps!

when should i take celexa, in the morning or at night?

when should celexa be taken, morning or night?

diane vane wrote:

when should celexa be taken, morning or night?

I prefer to take mine at night. When I first started taking it, it made me drowsy so tight before bed was ideal. Now it's just a habit.:)
Good luck!!

Darn typos...lol.
Meant right before bed.