Comments on: Venlafaxine and Mirtazapine and Weight Gain http://www.anxiety2calm.com/blogger/2008/12/venlafaxine-and-mirtazapine-and-weight.html Anxiety, Panic Attack and Phobias Information Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:40:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Anna Rose http://www.anxiety2calm.com/blogger/2008/12/venlafaxine-and-mirtazapine-and-weight.html/comment-page-1#comment-1951 Anna Rose Sat, 19 Dec 2009 00:47:42 +0000 http://www.anxiety2calm.com/blogger/?p=252#comment-1951 I found this article very helpful - thank you. I was on venlafaxine for 2 years and in that time gained about 3 stone. I was a healthy weight to begin with (9 stone), but my weight shot up uncontrollably, and my weight gains coincided exactly with my dosage increases. I talked to several doctors and they all told me that venlafaxine only causes weight loss, not gain. I increased how much I exercised, and cut out most fat from my diet, as well as all caffeine and alcohol - nothing worked. I finally talked to a doctor about 2 months ago who did some research and found out that other patients have had weight gain as a result of venlafaxine as well, and I have come off of the drug and onto fluoxetine. Since then I have already lost about 10 lbs. So, if anyone is finding that their weight is increasing while they are on venlafaxine despite a healthy lifestyle, I would strongly recommend talking to your doctor about changing medications. Venlafaxine is extremely difficult to come off of though (or at least it was for me), so if you do decide to change make sure you reduce your dosages very gradually and over a long period of time. It can be very frustrating when a negative body image only makes you feel worse about yourself, especially if, like me, you were told by numerous people that you're lying about how much you eat and exercise. I have found very little recognition of weight gain as a side effect of venlafaxine, and yet it does seem to be relatively common. I feel that there should be a way to raise awareness that this does happen - not as a discouragement to using the drug necessarily, but just so that when it occurs it doesn't take as long to recognise as it did in my case. Any suggestions? I found this article very helpful – thank you. I was on venlafaxine for 2 years and in that time gained about 3 stone. I was a healthy weight to begin with (9 stone), but my weight shot up uncontrollably, and my weight gains coincided exactly with my dosage increases. I talked to several doctors and they all told me that venlafaxine only causes weight loss, not gain. I increased how much I exercised, and cut out most fat from my diet, as well as all caffeine and alcohol – nothing worked. I finally talked to a doctor about 2 months ago who did some research and found out that other patients have had weight gain as a result of venlafaxine as well, and I have come off of the drug and onto fluoxetine. Since then I have already lost about 10 lbs.

So, if anyone is finding that their weight is increasing while they are on venlafaxine despite a healthy lifestyle, I would strongly recommend talking to your doctor about changing medications. Venlafaxine is extremely difficult to come off of though (or at least it was for me), so if you do decide to change make sure you reduce your dosages very gradually and over a long period of time. It can be very frustrating when a negative body image only makes you feel worse about yourself, especially if, like me, you were told by numerous people that you’re lying about how much you eat and exercise.

I have found very little recognition of weight gain as a side effect of venlafaxine, and yet it does seem to be relatively common. I feel that there should be a way to raise awareness that this does happen – not as a discouragement to using the drug necessarily, but just so that when it occurs it doesn’t take as long to recognise as it did in my case. Any suggestions?

]]> By: Nick Hanlon http://www.anxiety2calm.com/blogger/2008/12/venlafaxine-and-mirtazapine-and-weight.html/comment-page-1#comment-142 Nick Hanlon Sun, 14 Dec 2008 19:44:00 +0000 http://www.anxiety2calm.com/blogger/?p=252#comment-142 Yes, this is right, there are a few anti-depressants that cause weight gain. I know someone who has been taking Mirtazapine for a couple of years. They have not put on a lot of weight, but it certainly makes them hungry and I can see how this could be an issue for some people. As you point out, especially those who are already very self-conscious about their body. It also makes people sleep a lot as it is a strong sedative. This obviously contributes to the problem.<br/><br/>I was wondering if you'd find my article on the <a HREF="http://www.socialanxiety.co.uk/blog/genetic-biological-causes" REL="nofollow">Genetics and Biology of Social Anxiety</a> interesting as it relates a lot to medication use.<br/><br/>Best wishes,<br/><br/>Nick Yes, this is right, there are a few anti-depressants that cause weight gain. I know someone who has been taking Mirtazapine for a couple of years. They have not put on a lot of weight, but it certainly makes them hungry and I can see how this could be an issue for some people. As you point out, especially those who are already very self-conscious about their body. It also makes people sleep a lot as it is a strong sedative. This obviously contributes to the problem.

I was wondering if you’d find my article on the Genetics and Biology of Social Anxiety interesting as it relates a lot to medication use.

Best wishes,

Nick

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