Zoloft (Sertraline) is an antidepressant medication that has been around since 1991. It functions as an SSRI (selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitor) to increase extracellular levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin. The drug is considered effective at treating a variety of conditions including major depression, social anxiety disorder, panic attacks and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Despite being around since the early 1990s, it is still a highly popular antidepressant medication in 2015. Although the drug tends to significantly help some individuals cope with their depression, may who take Zoloft experience weight gain. In the event that an individual gains a significant amount of weight while taking the drug, the weight gain may make the person feel as if they are trapped in a lose-lose situation: take Zoloft and feel less depressed but gain weight OR don’t take Zoloft and lose weight.
Zoloft and Weight Gain
Not every doctor informs patients of potential side effects that they may experience while taking Zoloft or the generic version, “Sertraline.” One very common side effect is that of weight gain. Some people may notice a gradual increase in weight over time while taking an SSRI, while others may notice a significant increase in body fat within the first couple months of treatment. Others may not notice any weight gain for a period of time and then realize that they’ve gotten pretty big.
How Zoloft causes weight gain: Hypotheses
There is no exact science behind the weight gain that a person experiences while taking Zoloft (Sertraline). However there are a variety of speculative possibilities including: increased carbohydrate cravings, metabolic adjustments, as well as standard medication side effects such as lethargy which make it tough to burn calories.
- Appetite changes: Some individuals notice that when they take this medication, their appetite also changes. They may become hungrier than usual, making them eat more frequently. Those who had a poor appetite as a result of depression may now be eating more calories due to the fact that they actually enjoy eating. It is common to notice fluctuations in appetite while taking this drug.
- Carbohydrate cravings: One theory is that Zoloft may increase a person’s carbohydrate cravings. Those that take it may notice that they’ve developed a sweet tooth. There is a clear relationship between serotonergic functioning and carbohydrate cravings. Therefore, some speculate that the serotonergic changes being made in the brain by Zoloft is a plausible cause of increased carb cravings. If you notice that you all of a sudden want to eat more pastas, breads, cereals, and sugary candies, it may be more than a coincidence.
- Fat storage: Another theory is that certain SSRIs make the body store more fat than usual. The increased fat storage would account for some of the packed on pounds while taking Zoloft. Whether this is actually true is up for debate simply because it hasn’t been formally studied.
- Food tastes better: Some people notice that when they are depressed, food doesn’t taste very good. When their neurochemistry gets adjusted by the Zoloft, they notice that food all of a sudden tastes much better than it had in the past. When food tastes better, it leads people to crave it and/or seek out more.
- Hormone changes: Antidepressants like Zoloft tend to alter natural hormone production within the body. The exact changes that they make are unknown, but some believe that weight gain experienced while taking them may be due to alterations in hormone production from the drug. The only way to track this would be to get hormone levels checked prior to treatment and then compared them while undergoing treatment.
- Interactions: Most people taking multiple medications don’t even consider the possibility that Zoloft and the other drug may be interacting to contribute to weight gain. If you are taking multiple psychotropic drugs, it can be difficult to pinpoint whether one is causing the weight gain, whether they each are to a certain extent, or whether the two are interacting to compound the effect of weight gained.
- Less depressed: When you’re less depressed, you’re more likely to eat and take care of yourself. When you feel hungry, you’re probably going to eat. Someone who is depressed may skip meals, eat infrequently, and may become skinny as a result of their lack in motivation to eat.
- Side effects: While weight gain can be arguably considered a direct side effect of the drug, other side effects such as grogginess, lethargy, and sleepiness may lead to weight gain. When you feel tired from this medication, it may be extremely difficult to get out of bed, exercise, and move your body. This leads to less overall calories being burned and inevitably an increase in weight.
- Slower metabolism: While some argue that SSRIs don’t alter the body’s metabolism, many people believe that they do. One theory is that some people taking Zoloft may develop a slower metabolism. Some people have found via experimentation that even if they maintain the same strict diet and portions, they gain weight. This suggests that there is a metabolic component associated with the weight gain.
- Social eating: People with various forms of depression and social anxiety may have been isolated and uninvolved in social activities. When the Zoloft starts working, they may make friends and become more involved with friends. This often leads to eating out, possibly at unhealthy restaurants.
Note: In most people, the specific changes made by Zoloft on functioning are difficult to track. It is thought that weight gain may be caused by a combined influence from many of the hypotheses listed above.
Factors that influence weight gain on Zoloft
It cannot be generalized that everyone will gain the same amount of weight while taking Zoloft (Sertraline). Some individuals will gain more weight, others will gain less, and others may not gain any at all or even lose weight. It all depends on your individual response to the drug.
1. Dosage
Perhaps the most important factor in the equation is dosage, how many milligrams of Zoloft do you take? Those that take a higher dosage will be at greater risk for gaining weight – it’s that simple. When you take a higher dose, you are essentially giving the Zoloft more control over your nervous system than natural homeostatic functioning. If weight gain is a side effect at a lower dose, doubling the dose may also double the weight gain. Therefore to minimize weight gain, it is recommended to always take the lowest effective dose.
2. Individual factors
There are an array of other individual factors that will influence the weight gain you experience while on Zoloft. Weight gain may be a result of genetic interactions to the drug, your physiology, your metabolism, hormones, lifestyle, stress level, dietary intake, exercise, and other health conditions. It is impossible to evaluate all of the possible factors that could be contributing to weight gain in your specific case. Just know that individual factors are often not discussed, but play a huge role in determining whether you’ll gain weight from this medication.
3. Time Span
The time span over which you’ve been taking Zoloft plays a role in determining how much weight you’ve gained. Those that have been taking Zoloft for a very short term may not notice anything in terms of weight changes. People that have been taking Zoloft over a long term often notice that the weight gain gets worse over time. This is often due to the fact that over time, people become tolerant to the effects of the drug and increase their dosages.
4. Other medications
As was already mentioned, if you take any other drugs, you cannot rule out the possibility of them interacting with the Zoloft. An interaction effect could lead to increased weight gain while on Zoloft. You may want to also evaluate whether you believe the weight gain is a result of the Zoloft, whether the other medication is the primary culprit, or whether they are both equally responsible.
How much weight will you gain from Zoloft?
The exact answer is that “it depends” on the person. Most experts agree that nearly 1/4 people will notice weight gain when taking an SSRI like Zoloft. The average amount of weight gain is approximately 10 lbs. from an SSRI. Keep in mind that this is an average statistic and is subject to variation based on other individual factors. Further research needs to be conducted to determine how dosing and duration of usage plays a role in influencing weight changes. Â Other uncontrolled studies have suggested it is possible to gain an average of 15Â lbs. after 6 to 12 months of treatment.
- Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24898363
- Source:Â http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC181155/
Will everyone gain weight while taking Zoloft?
No. It is important to remember that all psychotropic drugs affect everyone differently. This is why there are tests like GeneSight being developed to help determine which drugs will best suit you based on your genetics. Some people actually remain weight neutral while taking Zoloft and others may lose weight depending on how the drug influences their functioning. Although a majority of people will gain some weight, it is important to determine whether that weight is significant enough to make you depressed or become a health issue.
Zoloft: Conducting a Cost-Benefit Analysis
If you have gained a significant amount of weight from taking Zoloft, you may want to conduct a cost-benefit analysis. Some people don’t care how much weight they gain as long as the medication is keeping their depression at bay. Others may actually get more depressed from the weight that their medication is causing them to gain.
In all cases, it is important to weigh the degree to which you benefit from the Zoloft and compare it to the weight gain (and other side effects). If the cost from taking the drug outweigh the benefits you’re getting, it may be time to switch medications and/or go through Zoloft withdrawal.
Did you experience weight gain from Zoloft?
Not everyone will experience major weight gain while taking Zoloft. Others may gain a few extra pounds, but it won’t be much of a big deal. Yet others will experience a major increase in their baseline bodyweight. If you have gained weight from Zoloft, feel free to share how much you gained, the dosage you took, and the time span over which you took the drug. Also feel free to discuss what you think caused the weight gain and if there were any other factors that may have also contributed.
One year… 75 mg… over 65 lbs. Took it for moderate anxiety. I’m 5’6″ and was a US size 10 when I started. Almost one year later I’m over 200 lbs and an 18. I weaned myself off of the drug and stopped completely about two weeks ago. The carb and sugar cravings stopped, and I’m eating considerably less. I think I’d rather use a non-chemical way to cope.
I’m 22 years old. I started Zoloft about a year ago and within the last 6-8 months I’ve gained close to 40-50 pounds. I’m only on 50mg but I take 20mg of adderall and birth control. Not sure if that counteracts it. I was around 160 now I’m around 200. This is the biggest I’ve ever been. I was a size 10 and now I’m a 14. It’s been in my face, arms, stomach/ waist area. I have cravings and feel the need to eat frequently even though I shouldn’t. I took it for anxiety and depression. Although I still have panic attacks. My health is becoming an issue and I’m going to try and get off of the meds.
I have been taking Zoloft for over a year and have gained 20+ pounds. I have now just realized after changing my exercise and eating habits completely, that the weight is still packing on. I am currently only on 50 mg. My doc told me this med was weight neutral….HA.
I’ve noticed that since starting Zoloft in January 2016, I have gained 12lbs! I’m already a BBW, I don’t need any extra pounds. I’m going to discuss it with my doctor to find out if I could take something different.
I took 50 mg of sertraline for 7 months and gained 10 lbs. I have always been thin and active and was never able to put on weight. My Dr. decided to slowly wean me off because she said some times the brain will produce the right levels of serotonin after using sertraline. It’s only been 2 weeks since I’ve stopped taking the drug and the only side effect is dizziness. I will give an update on how I feel and any loss of weight.
Thank you everyone for sharing your insight! I’ve felt lost as I watch myself no longer fit into my clothes and gain weight in ways I never have before. I feel as though I have a full extra layer of fat around my entire body, but then it is even worse in my midsection and back. I’m weaning off sertraline and hope that I can get my body back and maintain happiness. I’m irritated that I didn’t somehow know all of this before I started. Argh. Hating what I see in the mirror isn’t helping life at all.
I’ve been taking Zoloft/Sertraline for nearly 2 years. In that time I have gained 40 pounds and couldn’t understand why as before this, I had been the same weight since my early 20’s (I’m now in my 40’s) and had never gained weight previous to taking Sertraline. I have been thinking about coming off Setraline (had a few different tragic events one after the other but thankfully life is looking up again) and looked up withdrawal side effects etc and that’s when I found out about the weight gain!
Family and friends couldn’t understand why I was gaining weight and neither could I and now I know why. I just hope that once I withdraw, I can get back to my comfortable weight. Needless to say, that I would not advise anyone to withdraw on their own – please seek the advice of your doctor – this is really important, you must get support when coming off this drug. Good luck to everyone.
I’ve been on Zoloft for over a year and have gained 50 pounds!!! Yes I’m eating more and exercising less but I crave carbs and sugar like never before! I also lack motivation to be active. Zoloft took away my depression but now I am fat and don’t like to go out with family and friends and am embarrassed to even go to the gym. :( I’m going to start tapering my Zoloft.
As everyone here I am very happy it is the Zoloft!!! I have been on it for almost a year only 25 mg but it really has helped me. But now since I know the weight gain is from this it is making me crazy because I really hate my body! I to will ask my doctor but I really am afraid to gain this weight and also have my panic attacks. I am so torn!
I actually gained 20lbs in 4 months on Zoloft. My bust also grew a full cup size. What it seemed like to me was some hormonal changed and lack concern about how much I was ingesting or how I felt/looked. Almost a numbness to most things. I am now 4 months off Zoloft and able to more consciously make decisions about food, etc. My busy size has come down to normal and I am down about 10lbs since coming off of it. I definitely think it changes the composition of the body and of course mental capacities.
What dose were you on? I’ve weaned myself down to 25 from 100mg. Scared to go off completely but I’m sick of this weight.
Holy. Crap. I can’t tell you how relieved I am to read all of these comments. I could have written several of these myself. I’ve been researching what’s wrong with me for some time now. I’ve looked into vitamin D deficiency, probiotics, etc. I’ve been on Zoloft for years. I quit in my second trimester of pregnancy, and then started up again about 4 months post-baby, when I looked great.
The baby weight fell off pretty easily with exercise. I was 150-165 pounds or so. I’m 5’7, but hold weight very well, so I’m thin looking at 150-160. My daughter is now 4 years old and I’ve ballooned up to 265 pounds. I have never, ever weighed this much in my entire life. My appetite is through the roof most of the time. I crave SALT constantly. Salt, red meat, simple carbs, and occasionally sugar.
I can eat an entire package of cookies in one night. A family size bag of chips on the way home from work. It’s absolutely disgusting and I don’t recognize myself. I’m starting to fear for my health. On top of that, I feel like the Zoloft isn’t even doing its job anymore. I’m lethargic almost ALL of the time. I don’t even want to clean my house, let alone exercise.
Even when I’m sleeping 8-9 hours a night, I feel so tired. I’ve had a stutter since I was 4, and it’s worse than ever. My brain is in a constant fog. I don’t remember things; it’s hard to learn things; I feel my intelligence slipping away from me. I’m not creative anymore. I’m not happy. I’m just… “existing.” Going through the motions of life. I keep thinking to myself, “At least I don’t want to kill myself anymore.”
i’m going to slowly wean myself off of Zoloft (I’m at 100 mg daily BTW. I used to be at 200MG). I don’t have insurance, so no doctor (long story), so I’ll be doing this myself. If anybody wants to share stories, maybe we could start a Facebook group? Please feel free to e-mail me at t_trayne[@]yahoo.com.
I read this and wanted to cry! It has hit home so much. I feel like I’m finally not crazy… Dr won’t listen to me that I am gaining weight and have complete uncontrolled eating. Have had thyroid checked and Re checked and re Re checked because I’m just so sick and tired of being sick and tired and hungry.
So tired that I can’t drive in the afternoon because (even after 8-9 hours of sleep a night) I find my eyes going extremely heavy and am terrified I will fall asleep. Thank you for sharing. It means a lot to know that there is a reason out there and that I’m not just fat and lazy.
I’ve experienced the same weight gain as many others on this forum. Despite increasing my physical activity and eating a healthy diet, I’ve gained weight and found it extremely difficult to lose any of it no matter how hard I work out and run or how clean I eat. A study titled “Weight gain and associated factors in patients using newer antidepressant drugs” came out in 2015 [(GEN HOSP PSYCHIATRY), Jan2015; 37(1): 46-48. (3p)].
It associated sertraline, along with several other SSRIs, with weight gain. This comment form won’t let me include an image of the table showing which drugs caused how much weight gain, so here are a couple key points:
(1) 34% of study participants on Zoloft experienced an increase in body weight. SSRIs with an even higher percentage of users who gained weight were Remeron (88% of users gained), Paxil (74%), Lexapro & Effexor (65% ), and Cymbalta (44%).
(2) Out of all the SSRIs the study covered, the only one that a statistically significant portion of users didn’t gain weight on was Prozac (14% gained).
So I guess the takeaway is that if you’re going to switch from Zoloft to something else because of the weight gain, most of the above might not be the best options. As for me, I’ll probably stick with Zoloft for now and just keep working out and running and hoping for the best. The worst that can happen is I’ll become even healthier whether I look it or not.
I have actually never left a comment on one of these forums but reading all these comments is leaving me in quite a bit of a stupor as I never made the correlation in 15 years of being on Zoloft that any of the weight gain I had experienced was due to my taking this medication. I am 5″7, and when I started Zoloft @ 20, I was probably 120 pounds, if that.
When I started to gain weight I didn’t notice as much because it actually looked better then my pre zoloft body, which was almost anorexic looking. I thought I was just growing into a woman so didn’t make much of my newfound hips and curves and basically brand new body that I was starting to develop. For almost my entire twenties and my early thirties I had what most would consider the perfect body, and then after I had my second baby two and a half years ago (@33) I was never able to lose the baby weight, and I noticed that my weight kept going up and up no matter how much I exercised or tried to eat healthy.
I also started craving chocolate and sweets and binge eating in the middle of the night while half asleep. It got to the point where I started taking phentermine and adderall and different diet pills in hopes of losing weight because my appetite was so out of control. I would lose weight when on the diet pills but then because I was basically starving myself I would start feeling sick and lethargic, so it’s really like a lose lose situation.
It wasn’t until very recently that I started realizing that the zoloft might actually the biggest factor in my weight gain, because not only does it leave me with an insatiable appetite if I’m not taking a diet pill, but it also has me lethargic and groggy and basically unmotivated about anything in life. It did control my anxiety slightly and more than it significantly controlled my temper, which is why I would quickly go back on it whenever I would stop.
I weaned myself off of it and it’s only been a few days but I’m already starting to get the brains zaps and dizziness. I am trying to supplement with fish oils and Sam E, as well as other homeopathic products and hoping to get through the withdrawal process and somehow find some other ways to help my anxiety. I don’t feel that the zoloft ever truly helped my depression, probably actually made it worse. I definitely feel 1000 times more depressed when I start gaining so much weight I can’t even recognize myself.
As one person on here said, I don’t think the small amount of relief that the zoloft provides me is worth hating what I see when I look in the mirror and not even wanting to go out with my friends or do anything in public because I’m so disgusted and embarrassed by how I look. Drs try to act like we simply vain for wanting to be in shape but they don’t understand how bad it affects a person’s overall well being to gain a massive amount of weight from simply trying to take a medication that is supposed to make them better.
I am hoping and praying that I don’t ever have to take another antidepressant again, and once I wean myself off of the Zoloft my next feat will be to try to wean myself off of xanax, which at this point I have to take massive amounts of to even be able to sleep. My life has become ruled by medications and it is a nightmare and a prison which in hindsight has been of my own doing I suppose.
I am ready to start living my life again and I’m tired of being an antisocial, reclusive, zombie with no creativity or flair for life. I also truly feel that the Zoloft sucked all the creativity out of me, because I used to be an avid writer and artist until I started taking Zoloft. Again I never put the correlation of my writer’s block starting around the time I started zoloft together until recently.
Oh yeah, before I started taking adderall 6 weeks ago I was 185 which is the highest I have ever been in my life. In the last 6 weeks I have gotten down to 170 pounds, but basically because I am starving myself due to the appetite suppressant from the Adderall. I know this is definitely not a good thing but I cannot figure out any other way to make the weight start dropping rather then going up, as even when I was working out and eating good for months, my weight would not fluctuate 1 pound.
I am hoping that by sharing my story I can prevent somebody from taking 15 years to figure out how horrible of a drug zoloft is.
I have been on 50-75 mg of Sertraline for about 4 years. I have now gained 50 lbs. I went off about a year and a half ago and quickly lost 10 lbs but the anxiety and panic attacks returned, so I went back on the medicine. I also took the medicine between 2006 and 2007 and gained 30 lbs which came off after stopping the medicine. I know this medicine causes weight gain but also know it helps the anxiety. I know I am going to have to wean off and hope for the best as I am tired of gaining and gaining even with diet and exercise.
Hi Erin, Sorry to hear about the weight gain, it’s so frustrating! I was wondering about your weight loss after you stopped the medication in 2006? Did it really all come off and how long did it take to come off?
I stopped about 9 months ago and the weight seems to be sticking, but I don’t know if that’s because I am impatient or what.. I hope that weaning off goes well this time round :). Emi
I have been on Zoloft since Feb 2015 – almost a year. I have gained almost 1 stone in that time and it is really getting to me. I am out of control when it comes to chocolate – no restraint – I crave it to the point where it’s all I think about and I plan when and where I can get it. I will go into 10 different shops and buy bags of chocolate and eat ALL of it in private.
I hate what I have turned into – I was on dose of 150 mg then I decided myself to reduce to 100 mg and today and have lowered to 50 mg. I am getting a lot of scary brain zaps _ I am afraid that my brain has been altered permanently – I no longer feel like me! I just hope that I can wean off completely over the coming weeks and regain my old weight. Good luck to all.
I have been on Zoloft for about 5 years and 9 months. I went on it when my mother was going through cancer treatments and I was her primary caregiver and had 2 small children. I am 5’7 and always had a weight of between 118-123. My married weight was 125. I had 2 children within 2 years, and naturally lost the weight with each… 1 with the help of WW, not a long process.
When my kids were 3 and 4 my mom became ill. I went back down to 118 from stress. Then a few years into her cancer, I was on Sertraline (only 25mg)… I know it’s low, but OMG, did it help me. However, here I am 5 years, 9 months later at 181 pounds. I was 174 just in Nov/Dec, and over the holidays, this is how fast I gain it. It’s been like this since I went on Zoloft. I maintain, gain/lose etc…then BOOM you gain 5, 6, 7 pounds like nothing.
It’s so crazy. I crave carbs so much, that it is like an uncontrollable addiction. I don’t really exercise, although I never did. I am going to wein off starting tomorrow. I am hoping to see a change. I will also excersize now. Being almost 59, I figure it’s time I start adding in some exercise for health reasons anyway. Hopefully I will have some changes soon.
I was on Zoloft 50mg twice, and both times I experienced the same story. Significant improvement with my mood falling into some kind of hypomania at the beginning. After a few months of taking medication, I experienced very strong crave for chocolate, crisps, fast food and pretty much everything saturated with fat. As an aftermath, I gained weight significantly.
I was on Zoloft for about two years now. I started at 50mg and went up to 150mg daily. I have gained about 30 pounds total.
Prior to Zoloft, I took Effexor and gained 40 pounds over 5 years. I stopped Effexor and the weight started coming off. I’ve always been active… crossfit, running, tennis 4-5 days per week. Then, I started Zoloft and the weight is coming back on even though I’ve made no lifestyle changes. I also crave sugar all night which leads to me eating all night.
I’ve taken 50mg of Zoloft for 7 years. I work out an average of 3-5 days per week and eat very healthy! I’ve gained 40lbs over those years! Help!!!!!!
Same story, different person! Been on Zoloft for over 10 years at roughly 100mg and am now 40 to 45 lbs overweight! At first I thought it was part of the normal aging process but the carb cravings are through the roof! My midsection has never been this large in my entire life! My doctor told me that with the current dose I’m taking I will probably have to join a gym to get in better shape.
But from the stories here joining a gym may not even work. I plan on having a discussion with my GP so hopefully we can explore other options. Zoloft was the first thing I tried with the least amount of unwanted side effects that actually worked. Hopefully there are other options.
I gained 20 pounds in about 3 months. I have always been super tiny and thin, and ever since taking zoloft, that is changing. I take 100mg a day. I have been dieting and running every day, and I still can’t shake the weight off.
My doctor started me on Zoloft at the beginning of June and has gradually increased my dosage to 100mg. Starting out, when I was at 5omg, I was fine. My weight was normal, but I still felt pretty depressed. So my doctor upped the dosage to 100mg. This was around the time where I started swim team, an exercise regime of 2 hours of swimming per day, 6 days a week.
It was brutal to say the least and, as I’ve seen in past years, I typically loose a lot of weight during this time because I’m exercising so much. This year, I gained ten pounds starting out in swim team and it did not budge all season no matter how hard I worked at practice. Swim season has ended and I’m up to 14 pounds above where I was a mere three months ago. No changes were made to my diet at all. I’m strongly considering dropping the Zoloft altogether and seeing how I do without meds.
I cannot believe the number of comments here from people that have experienced the very same thing I am going through. My doctor added 100 mg of Sertraline to my daily Pristiq about a year ago. In the last several months I have noticed a significant weight gain, especially in my waist. I also have experienced the lethargy and joint pain. It has become frightening.
I am turning 51 next week and I don’t think I should feel this bad. I have not changed my eating habits, if anything I am eating less and better b/c of the panic over the weight gain. I started eating more protein, especially at breakfast, on the recommendation of my OBGYN. I dread getting dressed for work in the morning b/c I feel so terrible about the way I look. My doctor did not warn me about the possible side effects of this medication.
Also, it really annoys me that most doctors, at least in my experience, are hesitant to talk to patients about their weight. I have to bring up the conversation and ask for advice. I was shocked when at my last OBGYN appt Gastric Bypass surgery was suggested, but I had to probe for answers to questions about alternatives, such as weight watchers and Medi-Loss.
Reading the comments here has made me realize (1) that I am not losing my mind and (2) that I may be able to take control over this situation.
Hi there, Reading your comment really spoke to me! Before I started Zoloft, I was really proud that I’d lost 40+ pounds. In November I started 100 mg and have gained 25-35 back. I hate to look in the mirror. I’m so disappointed. But all of that said, I feel emotionally really great with the medication. What did you decide to do for your situation? Any advice would be so appreciated! Thank you!
My son is currently being treated with Zoloft 200mg daily for severe OCD. Over the last 2 years, he has gained at least 50 or more pounds, and he carries the majority of the weight in the midsection. he is only 16, and a big kid to begin with, but very worried about his weight. He has gone from @15# in April, 2014 (when he had his severe OCD episode) to 270# now.
He has a lot of stretch marks from this. His sugar cravings are off the charts. I want to taper him down. Hearing all of your experiences has helped me tremendously, because, he eats like a typical teen. In face, most of his friends have worse eating habits, yet he continues to pack on the weight. Seeing the psychiatrist early November.
I’ve been on 50 mg/day of Sertraline for about 1 year, 4 months for anxiety. It’s helped to some degree, but I gained over 35lbs in the first 10-12 months and have gained another 5+ lbs in the last 4 months. It’s ridiculous. I’m not sure the slight reduction in my anxiety is worth being the heaviest I’ve ever been in my entire life.
The carb cravings may be Candida and I read recently that taking a rotation of high quality probiotics may help in keeping weight off with antipsychotics so maybe it’s the same with Zoloft? The health of our gut often helps our mental state so I would consider taking out gluten and dairy and taking two or three probiotics on a rotational basis and see if this doesn’t help. In health, ABK (nutritionist).
WOW!! I have been trying to figure out why I was gaining weight like crazy. I have been on Zoloft for about a year and a half and have gained 30#, with the most recent 20 being since my dose was increased this spring. I craved carbs like nobody’s business and would literally go into uncontrollable “feeding frenzies” as I called them. I was also oh so tired and though didn’t feel depressed (or feel anything much at all for that matter) I didn’t feel like my active, driven self. I was on 200mg/day. Over the last 3 weeks I have tapered off completely and almost instantly noticed my appetite going back to normal and my ability to maintain a healthy diet and exercise regimen. I look forward to feeling like my *crazy* self again whilst fitting into my jeans.
Reading all these stories actually make me feel a million times better. I thought I was going mad!! I’ve been on 150mg sertraline for 14mths and have gained about 30lbs. I crave carbs, salt and sugar like never before. It’s like I have no control and I need to satisfy the craving. I’m lethargic all the time and my joints ache too. Maybe I should see the gp, who I’ve actually been avoiding because she will see I got fat!!
You described my experience exactly except my weight gain was faster and more severe.
I have been on Zoloft for 11 months. It has been mostly helpful with my anxiety, but I am noticing that all of my clothes are a lot tighter than they used to be. I lost 35 pounds a few years ago and successfully kept it off until very recently. I actually feel like I am gaining weight by the second! After reading all these comments and several articles on the meds I am really thinking it it is the sertraline, because everything else about my lifestyle and diet have remained the same for a while. Hopefully my doc will have a better solution so I can keep the anxiety at bay.
I have been on Zoloft 11 months. I’m taking it for anxiety/ panic attacks. I was good for about 6 months and then my weight started creeping up. I have gained 20lbs in probably 5 months. I take 150mg. I asked my doc if I could take less and he keeps telling me the Zoloft is not why I’m gaining. It’s infuriating. I always have been very active.
I did 21 day fix and lost 2 damn pounds. I did weight watchers for a week and lost 1. I am a former triathlete, I eat healthy and workout. I’m considering switching docs. I want to take less or find a new med. also, like a few of you mentioned I gained in my belly. Which is weird cause I’ve always been more hourglass.
I’m the same, it’s all on my belly.
Me also. My waist is like a size 14-16 and my butt and legs are More like a size 10. I’ve always been active and watch what I eat most of the time. I have gained over 30 pounds and I know it had to be the Zoloft. I just stopped taking it.
This describes me so well too! I have been on 100mg for 3 years… gained 30lbs, was always craving carbs and sugar. Like a terrible ice cream addiction that all of a sudden I couldn’t get enough ice cream… I have always been a average/small size before this.
Never one to over eat like this, aND was always cautious of my weight. I have been off of it for 2 weeks now and hoping to see improvements. Just a warning to people coming off… please ween first. The side effects of going right off of it are very very scary. I have quit other things in the past cold turkey such as smoking, a drinking problem, and some harder substances.
I tried to go cold turkey off of zoloft and was never so sick in my life. However after the weaning I was able to stop it with very minimal effects. So please wean yourself. It is not worth the side effects to stop abruptly.
Am so relieved to hear this. I have been on Zoloft for about a year and have gained 25 lbs. I look awful, and keep having to buy new clothes. I guess I’ll be seeing my doctor next week! Also, someone mentioned pain, and I have awful muscle and joint pain, mainly in my upper back and shoulders. Is this also a side-effect?
I had the same problem! I use it primarily for anxiety, though. I’m 5’5” and have yoyoed from 140 at 14, 120 at 15, 180 at college graduation, and then some. Post-college I got down to 160ish lbs because I wasn’t making any money (so couldn’t afford to eat unhealthy) but had a free YMCA pass, so I lost 20 pounds in 6 months with weight lifting, which I loved! I felt great!
But after that, I moved and got a different, better paying job with health insurance, and felt stable enough to explore other anxiety options after a few years of therapy. I went on 50 mg of Zoloft for a year and started the SAME night I had my first date with a man who I fell in love with and dated for a little over a year. I was 167 when I first saw my doc and gained 24 pounds in that first year I was on Zoloft.
I was frustrated about finding clothing in my size, but not worried since I went to a boot camp class 2-4 times a week and did a yoga class weekly, so my doc and I figured it was just the change in lifestyle from perhaps eating out too much with my ex. My doc wasn’t concerned because she knew I was being active. I also wasn’t sure if I felt better because I was in love or if it was the meds.
I’ve also been on birth control for years (definitely gained 10 pounds with Jolessa in the first year but that’s worth it for me ), as well as corticosteroids for 5+ years to control my allergies and asthma. Post breakup, my doc upped me to 100mg, where I’ve been ever since. But I’ve been trying to get healthier.
I bought a bike, do bootcamp 2-3 times a week, plus yoga and 1 African dance class (really hard but fun!). I get a massage monthly to help with stress. I see a nutritionist and lost maybe 5 pounds since the fall eating between 1200-1600 calories/day with healthy balanced foods. Right now, I’m just frustrated.
I’m proud of how fit I’ve gotten, but I’m sick of the weight, the sexual side effects, the dry mouth, and the cramps in my muscles/joints. I’m considering asking my doc to taper it down once I get through a few work projects next month, but I’ve been so scared about withdrawal symptoms. My sister had TERRIBLE experiences with withdrawal from other meds, but you guys have given me hope. Thanks!!!!
You nice folks give me hope for the future! My daughter is severely underweight and has been on Prozac for depression and anxiety for a year now. While it helps with her depression, her anxiety has not been helped much. The Dr. is switching her to Zoloft in the hopes that it will work more effectively on her anxiety. I am hoping it will also help her gain weight. Your stories give me hope. Thank you for sharing.
Was prescribed Zoloft 50 mg in April, 2015 for depression and anxiety. I gained 20 pounds in 5 months. I never liked the feelings from Zoloft; lethargic, hungry all the time, didn’t want to do anything or go anywhere. Just switched to Wellbutrin 150 mg; feeling mote energetic with slight upset stomach, but appetite is bridled.?! So looking forward to getting back into my wardrobe!!!!?
Started taking 50 mg Zoloft 5 months ago and gained 20 pounds! I lost weight in the beginning from upset stomach. Craved carbohydrates and found it hard to get out of bed. My mood was great, but I was very lethargic, causing me to be less active, eating more often from boredom and being in the house. Just switched to Wellbutrin; hope it helps me to be more active and rids me of eating more calories.
I was on Zoloft on and off since 2012. I was put on a few other medications in the time I was off of Zoloft. But I was on 300mg of Zoloft continuously for a year and a half and gained 57 pounds. I went from 98 pounds to 155. Being only 5’1″ my body expanded quickly. I gained over 30 of those pounds in 3 weeks time.
My body seemed to just keep gaining even though I hadn’t changed what I ate or the amount I was eating. It was extremely hard because the medication didn’t even help me. I am now coming off and am experiencing extreme withdrawal. It was rough being on it and it’s rough coming off. I hope to get this weight off!
I am also petite height wise 5′ so every 5 lbs is a size. I went from size 6 to 12. Started Zoloft due to trauma of our son passing from cancer. When he was diagnosed I started lexapro and stopped eating went to 107 lbs looked like a ghost always exhausted and after 2 years took myself off it. Then it hit the fan again so tried Zoloft works great but gained 25 lbs feel very demotivated but also know I’m still depressed. Also, just started dexilant for GERD.
I have been taking Zoloft for 2 years. I went from 185 lbs. to 225 lbs. during that time. I have never been this heavy in my life. I always feel bloated and I crave carbs like crazy. I have been exercising 6 days a week–a combination of cardio, weights, yoga, walking and swimming (when possible)–with absolutely no effect on my weight. It took me this long to realize the Zoloft was the culprit. I attributed the weight gain to my quitting smoking 1 & 1/2 years ago. I have an appointment today to change my prescription. Perhaps Wellbutrin will help me get back to a healthier weight.
Hi all, I have been on Zoloft 50mg for 5 years and have successfully gained 40 lbs. All around the middle (I look thick) I work out 4 days a week and work at a physically laborious job and I don’t eat junk or drink excessively (never during the week) I only can only lose a few pounds if I abstain from food all together (not healthy) and it comes right back as soon as I start eating real meals again?
But, I really like me emotionally on these things. I never get mad at people and have actually been accused of being a very happy go lucky person. Ha if they only knew! I have a nasty temper and mouth to go with it! But I am tired of struggling with my weight? Having weaned off of Effexor before this, I figured I would have a pretty easy time of it. But now I’m nervous.
I know all the symptoms are just that, symptoms and with a little self assurance I can talk myself through them but I’m seriously not looking forward to them. I started splitting my dose in half for a week and then skipped to every other day and had my 1st brain zap this morning. I got through the day by ignoring them and not letting them rule me, but it’s not a good time. I am just praying the nasty me doesn’t make an appearance.
I had to get off the Effexor with a prescribed valium and while that kept my uglies away I knew it wouldn’t be forever. I’m hoping with my exercise regimen that I can ward off the worst of this. Here’s hoping! Good luck to all of you, positive thoughts! -S
Hello, I am 23 years old and live an extremely healthy lifestyle (masters degree in exercise physiology and nutrition, workout every day, eat very healthily, etc). Started taking sertaline and about 7 months later started significantly gaining weight. It is a year and a half since starting and I have gained around 20 lbs without a significant change in diet or exercise (if anything I have drank much less since graduating). Meeting with doctor next week to change or go off sertraline.
I have tracked my food, increased exercise, started meeting with a personal trainer, but have gained 15 pounds I the last 6 months. My doctor said I am probably eating too much or my metabolism is down because of my age. How dismissive and condescending. I feel worse than ever on this stupid medicine. I am weaning myself off.
I have been on Zoloft (100 mg, once a day) for 15 months, and have gradually gained 10 pounds. I have noticed that I have an overwhelming craving for sweets and carbs, and very little discipline to stop myself from grabbing “one more piece of chocolate”, etc. I am very frustrated because I had lost 30 pounds 4 years ago, and was the thinnest I had been since college (I’m in my 50’s). Zoloft has definitely helped my depression and panic attacks, but after reading many of the comments here, I’m thinking of talking to my gp about other options.
I have been on Zoloft 8 months and it has worked great for my severe depression. However I gained 10 pounds and have belly fat!!! This is a non-negotiable for a slim athletic person such as myself. Now I loath myself since I have gained the weight. My doctor and I are weaning me off and I feel icky. I feel nauseous all the time and buzzy however I hope the weight cones off and we are looking into other strategies to help my depression and avoid weight gain. Ugh!
Zoloft works so well for my depression and anxiety! I notice a difference after only a few days. I was on it many years ago too, after the death of my mother, and it was very helpful. This time, over been on it since May, and it’s late July. I have gained some weight, because I feel hungrier, and crave carbs and sugar. I’m also incredibly fatigued, to the point of getting sleepy enough to fall asleep in the afternoons.
I work for a school and have summers off. The benefit of Zoloft for my depression so far outweighs the side effect of weight gain and fatigue, but I do hope to eventually switch to something like Wellbutrin, or wean off of Zoloft. I haven’t had any anxiety, crying spells, or irritability since taking it, and it took effect quickly, within the first week. What a relief! I don’t like the weight gain or fatigue, but I like not having the other symptoms more.
I have always gained weight whenever I’ve gone on zoloft, which first started at age 14 at 25mg. Every time I go off, I lose the weight, without making any conscious changes. I have found that combining zoloft with wellbutrin helps to keep me from gaining any more weight. I went off of wellbutrin and on lexapro and gained about 25 pounds in about 4 months.
Then I switched back to zoloft except at 100mg which is double what I had ever been on before, and my weight kept creeping up another 10 pounds in the next 4 months, then I added the wellbutrin back in and I stopped gaining, but cannot lose weight. I am considered obese now and I wonder what is more a threat to my health, panic disorder or obesity?
I was on 100 mg a day of Zoloft for about 14 years. I’ve put on about 35 pounds over the last 4 years primarily due to a change in my job. I would work 12 hour days then go home and eat all night. Then repeat the next day. But recently memory problems convinced me to make a change. I have gone cold turkey on all meds about a weeks ago. No brain zaps, but dizziness, belching up stomach acid and did I mention the memory loss!
I was on Zoloft for six months. I realized after four months that my clothes no longer fit, but it seemed like all of a sudden my belly got fat! I was a size 0 for the last 5 years; I cannot stand to look at my midsection in a mirror. Now I am 35 pounds heavier and hope that this weight will come off. I have not ever gained weight in my midsection like this. Never ever again!
I agree, have been on it for 2 yrs 50 mgs. I have only put on about 4-5 lbs but the fat around my waist, midriff and stomach is very noticeable and has affected what I can comfortably wear. That in itself is depressing when I have been a UK size 10 and slim all my life. However last year I was diagnosed with dystonia and have to take clonazepam and propranolol for life to control this. Don’t know if the drug combination has made the changes in my body shape worse.
I have now decided that I should come off the sertraline. 2 months ago My GP suggested cutting in half, this gave me withdrawal symptoms so I went back onto 50mgs. This time I’m going to reduce far more slowly so I’m taking 3/4 of a tablet for a month then 1/2 for a month then 1/4 etc. Hoping this will reduce the withdrawal effects. Hope I will lose the fat in the process! Good luck to everyone trying to get off antidepressants.
Does it ever come off??
Eventually it comes off when you stop taking it. Took me 2 years to lose what I gained. While I was on it, nothing shifted the weight.
Hi Morag, I took zoloft for about a year and gained 40 lbs. When I realized that the weight gain wasn’t going to stop I stopped taking the medication. My doctors told me before I started zoloft that there was a possibility that I would gain weight but that if (when) I stopped using it, the weight would definitely come off. They said it should happen within a year.
I have been off zoloft for 9 months now and have only lost slightly more than half of the weight and my weight doesn’t seem to be budging anymore. I lost about 11 lbs within the first month, then 10 lbs over the span of 8 months after that, and very intermittently. I was the same weight for about 3.5 months and all of a sudden I lost 5 lbs within two weeks, but then after that nothing happened again for like 3 months.
How was the weight loss journey for you? It’s hard to find people who talk about losing the weight and what their experiences were. I am worried that because the doctor said that I should lose the weight within a year, and it’s been 9 months and I have only just lost half, that I will be stuck at this weight forever…
In any case I would love to hear from someone who has some experience with this. -Emi
Hi I have had exactly the same experience – have now been off sertraline for about 3 weeks but am still gaining weight (mainly due to carb craving (never had this prior to being in sertraline). I wanted to fine out how you got on with the weight loss? Have you lost the belly and weight? Any tips or things you did to speed up the process as this has me very very depressed. Also how are you managing your ‘mental health’ without the sertraline crutch?
I take 100mg of Zoloft a day. Been on it for 3 or 4 yrs. and I have gained over 50 lbs. I am 5 ft. 1′, weigh 195 lbs, and I am 57 years old. I am so sick of looking in the mirror and seeing myself, and I use to be a size 14, now I am a size 16/18. I am thinking about getting off of this Med!!!
I took Zoloft for 16+ years and recently decided (on my own) to wean myself off of this powerful drug. At first I didn’t think I could go through with it; however, I have off for 6 weeks! Sure, I had or should I say I am still having symptoms of withdrawal. I have everything from dizziness, nausea, brain zaps, you name it but I promised myself that I do not want to go on another antidepressant such as this! I pray a lot and know that God will bring me through this soon. I can say that my symptoms are lessening, so those of you who feel there is no hope in feeling better just hang in there, it does get better!
I’ve been on Zoloft for 8 years and have grown from 55kg to 79kg. I’m also thinking of slowly weaning off but am afraid as the problems I have are existent. Weight gain is adding to the depression.
My story is very similar to yours. I have gained 21 pounds since I have been on Zoloft. I have been on Zoloft for 9 months 100 MG. After the first 4 months I began to feel joint and muscle ache and had an increased appetite. Now I am not able to fit into any of my close and have moderate to severe pain in every joint in my body. My doctor told me I would not gain wait or have any side affects except for a headache until my body got used to the drug.
Well the drug is supposed to help with depression and anxiety, which it has, but it has also added stress, anxiety and frustration since I feel disgustingly fat and bloated and can’t get out of bed and the back of my knees, ankles, wrists, fingers, elbows, and lower back give me constant pain. I have recently come off Zoloft about 2 weeks ago. My hunger cravings have improved slightly, but I have an unwanted additional 35 pounds on me and hoping to lose it so I do not have to buy a complete new wardrobe. I am not taking anything like this ever again.
I have been on Zoloft for 3 years. It is the only antidepressant that has ever helped me. I have never been this heavy in my life, even 9 months pregnant! I am so disgusting!!! I have gained 50 lbs! I just read that it can make you crave sweets! I couldn’t believe it! Everyday I crave chocolate or sugar like I’m an addict! I’m out of control! I can’t buy anything or I’ll eat it all! So I’m going to try to go off! Say a prayer please, I don’t want any more depression.
Your story sounds identical to mine. Starting a taper and cannot wait to get this stuff out of my life- and get my ‘real’ body back by shedding these ridiculous forty pounds!
I have been on zoloft 200mg daily for 14 months and have gained 25 pounds… I’m miserable being this size. But on the other hand, I am not sure I can live normally without the Zoloft. How did the tapering off go? Any tips?
I am 18 female and have been in 150mg for nearly 2 years. It was the only medication to actually work for me but I gained over 60lbs in only a few months. I noticed this because I bought my prom dress a few months early and I almost had to buy a new one. None of my clothes fit and I just feel gross all of the time. The cravings and appetite increase are crazy.
I will admit before starting the medication I was probably under weight and barely eating. But at my heaviest I have never been more than 120lbs. Now I am at 180lbs and prayin it doesn’t keep building. I just recently went off if Zoloft and my appetite has decreases a lot but no weight changes. I am worried it is never going to come off. Also for other reasons I am considering going back in the Zoloft.
However the weight is making me feel depressed again. I was wondering how you made out? And if you had any suggestions? Thanks!
I have been taking Zoloft since Sept and lost 24 lbs in the first 2 months. I started at 50 mg and had to keep increasing to 200 mg at Christmas. The weight loss stopped at about 100 mg but I never gained any back. I used to binge eat at night, but I could go almost 24 hours in the beginning and not even think about eating till I would get lightheaded.
I could never lose weight no matter what I did but since Nov I have been at my lowest weight since 1995. My friends doctor said you only lose weight at the lower dose. I’ve tried to cut back but it only takes one day to start crying again.
I gained roughly 25 kg (don’t know what that is in pounds) but it’s the best antidepressant I’ve had, so I’m stuck with it.
Omg! This is me through and through!!! I’ve been on 100mg a day over the course if almost threw years now and I have gained 30 lbs. I have two children and yet still have never weighed as much as I do right now. It’s very depressing. And I can not stop eating sugary things… I am even gluten sensitive, so that being said my daily caloric intake is lower then most before I get into chocolate. I told my husband I feel like an addict and I actually get headaches of I don’t get chocolate. Thanks for sharing… maybe it’s not “all in my head” after all!
Definitely same thing that happened to me. Now I’m embarrassed to leave the house, scared people will see how huge I am. Normally I have been 115 now 150!
I am in the same boat! Have three boys. 14, 10, and 19 months. I’ve never been this heavy without pregnancy. It like came out of nowhere! I started wondering if it could be related to the Zoloft because honestly not much else has changed (maybe a little extra stress). Thanks for sharing.
I took 100mg of Zoloft and gained 15 lbs. over a course of 2 years. Zoloft is part of the blame for my weight gain and part of it is lack of physical activity and poor eating habits. I’m now tampering off now. I’m working on changing my eating habits and increasing my physical activity. The withdrawal symptoms are making it a bit difficult to exercise, but I’m hoping it’ll get easier soon. My doctor is slowly reducing my dosage to make it easier to come off the medication. I’m sleeping a lot right now, but I changed my diet… hoping once my mood stabilizes and I get back on a regular schedule the weight will come off.
I gained 20 pounds over three years. I lost a lot of my sense of taste and smell and therefore craved strong flavors and salt. The salt craving was overwhelming at times! I craved potato chips, stir fry, red meat, Ramen. Recently I tapered off my 100mg daily dose – two weeks every other day, followed by a week gradual reduction until I noticed I felt better on the days after I missed a tablet, so I then just stopped.
I now feel less hungry, a LOT less! I look forward to fitting back in my jeans. Some might feel this is too quick, and it may be for some, so please don’t take this as advice. I had done a lot of soul searching and therapy and knew what to expect. I felt ready to deal with underlying emotional pain I’d carried for a number of years and trusted what my body was telling me. Zoloft helped me survive during the time I took it. Good luck everyone.
There is a future, it can be greater than anything you can imagine right now, trust me. I’d also recommend mindfulness and books by Pema Chodron – short chapters, earthy and humorous, wise and honest. Start with ‘wisdom of no escape’ or ‘start where you are’.
Very helpful. Thank you!
How long did it take before you noticed any weight loss?
I don’t know if you’ll see this, as this is a pretty old comment, but how did things end up? Did you lose the weight and stay off Zoloft?