Who experiences weight changes on escitalopram?
Escitalopram, a medication used primarily for treating depression and anxiety disorders, can cause changes in weight for some users [1], although these effects vary across the population.
What causes weight changes on escitalopram?
Studies indicate that escitalopram, like other antidepressants, can influence weight and appetite through several mechanisms, including serotonin dysregulation and alterations in appetite and satiety centers in the brain. Some individuals might experience weight loss due to increased serotonin levels reducing appetite [2]. Conversely, others might gain weight as a consequence of increased appetite or metabolic alterations [3]. According to the US-based pharmaceutical company Lundbeck, which developed escitalopram, 'The most common side effects reported included nausea, dry mouth, constipation, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and weight loss' [1], suggesting that weight loss is a common occurrence with escitalopram. However, the overall impact on body weight may depend on an individual's specific condition, dosage, and lifestyle.
How common are weight changes on escitalopram?
In clinical trials for escitalopram's approval in 2002, the frequency of weight changes was reported as 'mild,' with about 13% of patients experiencing a significant weight loss of 7% or more, and about 6% experiencing a significant weight gain of 7% or more [1]. Nonetheless, these figures can vary as they depend on diverse factors, including starting body weight and individual tolerance.
What happens when you discontinue escitalopram?
When patients stop taking escitalopram [4] or undergo a significant decrease in dose [5], they may experience changes in weight as their metabolism returns to a more normal state, which might involve either weight gain or loss. Clinical data on the effects of discontinuing escitalopram, particularly on body weight, are limited.
Sources:
[1] https://www.lundbeck-us.com/sites/default/files/LexaproPIHCP_2022.pdf
[2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17143441/
[3] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17143441/
[4] https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/escitalopram-oral-tablets
[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547746/