Weight loss on Citalopram?

I have actually gained but can tell from which medication

Switched from Topomax to Celexa. The Topomax (or as I like to call it Dopamax) made me feel calm and less anxious but people we noticing, asking me if everything was alright, saying I seems down. I tried it years ago and frankly the only thing that was good besides feeling less anxiety was my rapid weight loss. I've also tried Wellbutrin and Zoloft. No weight loss with either (gained, actually) and lost all sexual appetite.

I started the Celexa today, 10 mg. for 6 days, then will increase to 20 mg. daily. I am taking it at bedtime. I also take Ambien regularly so hopefully it wont effect me.

It is a vicious cycle with me. My coping tool for stress and anxiety is eating. The more I over-eat the more I stress about my weight, kick myself for eating things I promised myself I wouldn't eat, etc. That makes me eat more. When I am not stressed or anxious I eat like a normal person. I am 35lbs overweight, 46 yrs old.

My goal with Celexa is to stop the stress eating and negative, vicious cycle.

I just switched from 75mg Effexor/Venlafaxine to 20mg Celexa/Citalopram because of the nausea. I found I lost my appetite when I was anxious and depressed before being diagnosed and on Effexor that didn't change. I took my first Celexa last night and goodness I hope it doesn't increase my appetite too much, or even let it go back to what it was before, as I would overeat and binge.

I am a 35 year old female. I've been on Celexa now for almost a month. Started on 10 mg for a little over 2 weeks and increased to 20 mg this last week.I was given it for anxiety, not depression. So far - no weight gain or loss. I haven't had any side effects really. The only thing that I feel is tired, during the day, but only some, as I do take it in the morning. I may need to switch to evening. I took Lexapro a few years ago and gained weight very quickly.I stopped taking it because of that and because it made me feel so different, like I was not even myself. I absolutely could not cry, at all. It was very strange. So far, I love Celexa because there are no side effects, for me, so far! I feel normal, but I respond to things better, less anxious, better temperament - I don't get angry as quickly and I handle stress so much better. Yet....it's not a drastic difference, just enough to 'make a difference'. If I do end up gaining weight, I'll just revert back to being anxious again. It would not be worth the extra pounds. I do have an appetite though....and wish I didn't. I am not sure if it's making me hungrier. I am really watching it though, as I certainly don't want to eat more than I used to and gain weight as a result of that. I am drinking more water and definitely watching what I put into my mouth. I would love to be in the 'lose weight' category for this drug.

PS.... in addition ....

Surprisingly, I have had no sexual dysfunction, as are one of the potential side effects. I'm only one month in, but so far, so good. It was impossible on Lexapro. I definitely had issues while on it. Celexa seems great.

I have been on celexa for about 3yrs. Had weight gain of 40 lbs. not too happy about that. Had depression that hit suddenly. so glad to read the stories of others w/ this issue. It took me a while to ajust to it but i really needed it at the time. after being on it for a few years i began feeling like i was retaining water,and i felt swollen, sore, began to have issues w/ feeling very numb when i awoke in the morning and could barely stay awake in the mornings. I decreased(w/ dr. consent) slowly, it seemed every 4 months i needed to. i also had really bad druling at night too. Now I am on a very low dose. Anyone else on a real low dose now? I am so glad to read comments and i know that i am not alone. In the beginning of my depression i had horrible nightmares, heard voices and i thought like i was going thru hell, i would not wish this on my worst enemy,i am glad i am still here. Fat and happy

Samantha wrote:

Has anyone had any weight changes either loss or gain whilst taking Citalopram. I've heard so many horror stories about people gaining loads of weight, and some losing, I know everyone is different, but just wondered what your experiences have been. Thanks

I have been taking celexa 8 weeks now 40mg a day and feel better each day but have lost some weight no gain
Used to take lexapro for years it did not work sa now I know by taking celexa,no side effects for me except the first few weeks upset tummy but not bad

Just took my 1st 10mg dose this morning. I feel good but my house is a mess from my kids and i could care less when usually im cleaning none stop! I also took a 4hr nap and almost hit a car while parking then shifted gears without my foot being on the break then realized it after... we'll see how this goes lol. also have no appetite which is unusual for me!

Jolene wrote:

I lost weight on both Prozac and Celexa. It kills my appetite.
Paxil is the one with the weight gain issues.

Lexapro made me ravenous no matter how full I was. Put on about 15 pounds in about 3 weeks. Lost weight on Cymbalta. Twelve pounds in a month

I have been taking 20mg Celexa generic for about 3 weeks and I have lost approx 8lbs magically! Before I was on Celexa, I worked out straight for 5 months and NEVER lost anything. I felt better exercising and what not but lost nothing. I do know that I used to emotionally eat and I guess I didnt realize how bad I really did it. But now I dont even crave sweets or want extra food. The only time I eat is 3 times a day when I feel nauseaus. I cannot tell you what a miracle this has been! I feel like everything is possible (even thinking about starting my own business which is CRAZY!) things that I never thought were possible seem within reach and I have been alot more positive. Sometimes I will get a little moody and its usually after I get off work around 5pm. I take my pill at 10pm every night and sleep just fine. Actually still have trouble waking up in the mornings but I have NEVER been a morning person. I just feel an overall peace in my life. Im normally a very high strung stressed out worried person with thoughts raceing 100miles a minute through my head and now I dont feel as such. I used to nag and throw fits about stupid things and cry every single day for no apparent reason, just sadness and now I feel overwhelmingly happy! I have gone through alot of things in these past couple of years and I have honestly never been this happy. Everything is just so positive and I thank God every day for giving me the guidance while taking these. I was very hesitant at first but after 2 years of being depressed, I had to do something. I cried for 2 days before I took these pills because I didnt know how my body would respond to them and I was just so hopeless and thought God would be disappointed in me but I prayed and cried to God and he had me open the bible to a page, I randomly read the page and in it, it said TRUST IN ME. Those words couldnt have been any clearer and I knew it was him ok'ing me to take them. If you truly have a medical problem, god does not forbid you take doctor prescribed medication to treat your illness. Once I realized that, I took the pill immediately and since then, it was the best thing I have ever done. Everybody responds different to different medications and on this pill they say after 2 weeks of this "high", it drops again and your mood can be depressed a little (which it did for me the day before my 24th birthday when I was supposed to be carrying my 9month old son who had passed away at 4 months in my womb, I cried and cried) But the next day was much better and was in greater spirits and have been since. I think it also helps to have a wonderful support system such as friends, family, or boyfriend. They have been a great resource to help me through this. I wanted to share my experience because I was highly against taking ANY kind of medication (even advil or tylenol) and the first night of taking it, i definitely lost a couple hours of sleep. I think it was my mind battling the medication, it did not want to submit to it I guess but after I got through the 1st night, everything has been fine with the exception of the mood drop after 2 weeks. I was only prescribed this for 6 weeks and will have a followup with my doctor then. My mood, mind, weight, and everything has changed so drastically and Im a much more happier person and have found interest in the things I used to love like fashion and makeup that I am now scared to go off of the celexa. I am afraid that I will go back to that horrible person I once was and feel all those sad feelings again. I dont want that! I feel the way I am now, is the real me and I dont want to go back to that. My doctor said that she didnt think I would need it any longer than 6 weeks because she felt I just needed a boost to get myself out of the rut feeling I was in. Of course, I will express these concerns to her and I know it has a lot to do with lifestyle,etc which I have been improving on and will continue to do so!

I've been on Celexa for 2 1/2 years. I'm on 40 mgs. Mood great. No weight gain. Thank god! Actually curbs my appetite.