Most depression medicines that cause weight loss are designed to calm you down. They act in the brain as tranquillisers to reduce irritability and restlessness which often accompany depression. Some of these drugs reduce appetite, which makes you feel less hungry. This leads to decreased calorie intake, resulting in a drop in weight. The reduction of the appetite for food reduces your metabolic rate, causing it to slow down and you feel tired even if you have had enough sleep the night before. This will not cause significant weight loss but your body will not be functioning properly, leading to further weight gain.
Other antidepressants reduce your metabolism further, resulting in loss of energy levels and increased appetite. Some of these medicines are known as SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors). These are probably the most commonly prescribed medicines for depression and they work by influencing serotonin production in the brain. When serotonin levels are high, your brain will be more prone to feel happy and positive moods, which will result in a decrease in appetite and increase in BMR (Body Mass Index), resulting in weight loss.
However, there are many ways of losing weight without taking these medicines. Any medication affecting serotonin can lead to weight loss, if taken regularly over a long period of time. The only way to determine if you are taking a medicine that will make you lose weight is to have a full conversation with your doctor. He will be able to judge the possible effects of this type of medication and if you are at risk he may decide to prescribe alternatives.
Bupropion, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, is one of the most commonly prescribed antidepressant medicines for depression and it has been proven effective in helping patients with mild to severe depression and weight loss problems. This is not an alternative for people who take other types of antidepressants or who suffer from extreme episodes of depression. However, it can help people suffering from mild depression, when coupled with regular exercise and eating right. However, Bupropion should not be used by pregnant women.
Some of the other depression medicines that cause weight loss are St John's Wort, Prozac and Zoloft. In addition, SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) such as fluoxetine, Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft can all be effectively used to treat this condition. Fluoxetine is often prescribed first because it allows you to be prescribed an antidepressant to begin with; however, some people have reported that SSRIs cause them to gain weight, so it is recommended they don't take them initially. Some people find they get better results with Prozac and Zoloft than with either Prozac or fluoxetine, so if these medicines aren't working for you then you might want to try a different combination.
Some people find they will experience a rebound effect with certain depression medicines that cause weight loss; for instance, SSRIs may help you lose weight initially but you may find that you need more to achieve your ideal weight. You could also experience some side effects from this medication which may make you think it's not suitable for you. Some antidepressants also change the hormone levels in the body, which could result in mood swings, sweating and high blood pressure.
Antidepressants are the most commonly prescribed type of depression medicines. However, they are also the most commonly mis prescribed medicine, especially in children. Although they can make you feel better they can also cause a lot of weight gain, so it's important to know the full facts before starting to take them. Most children will be able to wait to start taking anti-depressants until the age of 16.
Once you've started taking any medications for depression, make sure you discuss the possible side effects and the benefits and risks with your doctor or healthcare provider. Only after you've consulted them should you start considering taking them for weight loss. Don't stop taking them abruptly, even if you're experiencing positive results. Your body could become dependent on them and you don't want to put yourself into a position where you'll have to abruptly stop taking them due to health problems or any other reason.
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