Medication drugs that are used to treat mental health disorders like depression and anxiety are called antidepressants. These medicines help by increasing the levels of the neurotransmitters in the brain that affect the mood, sleep, and appetite of a patient. If a person has depression, they are likely to be administered some antidepressant along with some best therapy for anxiety attack. Antidepressants can make you feel positive, but they may also cause weight loss. In this blog, we will be taking a look at the best antidepressant for weight loss. All the drugs mentioned in this blog are prescription drugs. Hence, they should not be used without the authorization and guidance of a healthcare expert.
List Of Antidepressant That Cause Weight Loss
In the pharma market, there are so many antidepressants, that claim to lose weight, but in the following, we will discuss the best antidepressant for weight loss. Let’s check the list; All the drugs mentioned in this blog are prescription drugs. Hence, they should not be used without the authorization and guidance of a healthcare expert.
Wellbutrin (Bupropion)
Wellbutrin is a branded drug, and bupropion is its generic form. This drug is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Wellbutrin is a prescription-only drug, and its tablets are of the strengths 75 mg and 100 mg.
Wellbutrin is an NDRI (Norepinephrine and Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitor). This medication drug helps in inhibiting the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine. As a result, these chemicals stay in the brain longer and are effective for a prolonged period. This medicine has a very low potential for abuse.
Research has noted that bupropion users who don’t smoke lost an average of 7 pounds in two years. However, smokers did not lose any weight. Therefore, this medicine may be given to patients who do not desire to gain weight.
Cymbalta (Duloxetine)
The branded drug called ‘Cymbalta’ is used in the treatment of MDD. It is approved by the FDA for the treatment of MDD and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). A pharmacist will only sell this drug to buyers who have a prescription.
Duloxetine is the generic variant of this drug and is also used for the same purpose. Cymbalta is available in the form of an oral capsule. The capsules are of strengths 20 mg, 30 mg, and 60 mg.
Cymbalta belongs to the class Serotonin-Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors, or SNRI. It works by increasing the amount of serotonin and noradrenaline in the brain. These neurotransmitters help enhance the mood and might affect appetite. It is not a controlled drug. It does not lead to dependency.
Studies have found that individuals who took duloxetine (Cymbalta) lost some weight (1.5 lbs) in the short term. However, the weight was regained and even increased by 2.4 lbs after 52 weeks of treatment.
Prozac (Fluoxetine)
Prozac is FDA-approved for the treatment of MDD and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). This medication drug is only purchasable with a prescription from a certified healthcare expert. Fluoxetine is the generic variant of branded Prozac. Prozac pulvules are of strength 10, 20, and 40 mg, and the weekly-use capsule is of strength 90 mg.
Prozac is a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor or SSRI. It works by retaining the serotonin that is released in the brain. This helps in improving the mood and might affect the appetite of a person. Prozac is not a Controlled Substance Act (CSA) drug. Meaning, it is not likely to be abused.
According to a study, adults who took 60 mg of Prozac drug every day lost some weight. The patients lost 6 lbs in the initial 6 months of treatment. It is assumed that the weight loss is related to the dose. This is so because the patients who were using low doses did not experience any major changes in weight.
Effexor
Effexor is the branded variant of the generic drug ‘Venlafaxine’. It is approved by the FDA for the treatment of depression and Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD).
A person can only purchase this medication if he or she possesses a prescription. Effexor and venlafaxine are not likely to be abused.
Effexor is an SNRI. Similarly to Cymbalta, it works by maintaining the presence of two mood enhancing neurotransmitters called dopamine and norepinephrine. Short-term use of Effexor may lead to weight loss. However, long-term use is associated with moderate weight gain.
Read More: Effexor Vs Adderall
Conclusion
Of all the drugs mentioned, Wellbutrin (bupropion) is most likely to cause weight gain. Antidepressants should not be used with the intent or hope of losing weight. Doing so may result in disappointment and even life-threatening side effects.
If a person is using antidepressants and also wants to lose weight, he or she should inform the doctor. A doctor may recommend a treatment more appropriate to the patient’s needs.
The drugs mentioned in this blog are all antidepressants and are not approved by the FDA for weight loss. They may cause a reduction in weight in some people as a side effect. But, most people will not notice much difference in body mass. This is so because the side effects that people experience vary greatly.