Prozac and Weight Gain

The antidepressant 'fluoxetine' is sold under the trade names: Prozac, Sarafem, etc., and is a type of serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI). Prozac helps treat major depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in both adults and children, panic disorder, bulimia nervosa and premenstrual syndrome (PMS). OCD is a psychiatric disorder in which patients perform the same tasks again and again. Before taking a look at the information on weight gain due to consumption of 'Prozac', you may take a look at how Prozac works and what are its benefits.

Prozac: How it Works
Neurotransmitters or the chemical compounds are part of the exclusive communication system run by our brain. Serotonin is one of those chemical compounds that helps lighten your mood. Re-absorption of serotonin by the nerve cells or insufficient supply of serotonin from the brain leads to depression. Prozac is a selective SSRI which prevents serotonin from being reabsorbed into the nerve cells. Thus Prozac helps in sustaining mood lightening effect of released serotonin which in turn helps relieve depression.

There are several fluoxetine side effects, for example, hair loss, fatigue, headache, diarrhea, dry mouth, loss of appetite, weight loss, skin rash, sweating, weight gain, swelling of lips, tongue and throat, eye problems, sexual problems, seizures, joint pain, nausea, dizziness, muscle pain, etc. You might be confused after seeing both weight loss and weight gain in the above list. Let me clear your doubts.

Prozac: Weight Gain or Weight Loss
Prozac, a depression medication, helps maintain the supply of serotonin, that controls mood, pain, sleep, and a variety of other body/brain processes.

It is not yet entirely clear how Prozac causes weight loss. As explained above, Prozac can cause loss of appetite, nausea, and diarrhea, which generally contributes towards weight loss. It is often observed that these side effects go away with time. And since 'weight gain' is a depression symptom, treating the depression results in 'weight loss'.

Patients who initially complain about loss of appetite tend to gain more weight over the course of the year. Studies show that the period following recovery from depression is associated with weight gain. It is a fact that recovery from depression results in improved appetite and willingness to socialize, which leads to greater food intake and is thus responsible for potential weight gain. Some Middle aged people experience natural changes associated with the aging process. Their lifestyle changes according to the age which influences their body metabolism, potentially predisposing them to weight gain. If you are worried about weight gain caused by Prozac, you should follow the instructions of your doctor regarding lifestyle changes or you should switch to another antidepressant medication.

Stopping Prozac
It is important to consult your doctor if you wish to stop taking Prozac. Your doctor will tell you how to reduce the dose gradually before stopping Prozac completely. If you stop taking Prozac suddenly, you may have to face problems like insomnia, irritability, tiredness, weight gain, headache, confusion, dizziness, etc. To avoid these withdrawal symptoms, you should not stop taking Prozac suddenly.

Prozac Side Effects in Women
It has been observed that Prozac and weight gain go hand in hand, especially in women. Women should consult their doctor before taking Prozac and before stopping Prozac. Pregnant or lactating women should not take Prozac and if at all they need to take it, it should be administered cautiously. Prozac is recommended during pregnancy only if the benefits to the mother outweigh any risk to the fetus. The side effects or withdrawal symptoms can affect the newborn infant, if Prozac is taken during pregnancy. The medication can be transferred to the infant via breast milk and may have adverse effects on the infant. Most women notice weight gain as the side effect of Prozac. They should opt for natural anxiety cures.

I hope you find the above information helpful. One of the easiest way to avoid 'Prozac weight gain' is 'avoid taking Prozac'. For this, you need to avoid stress, which causes depression. Regular exercises, balanced diet, healthy eating and sleeping habits, practicing yoga and meditation can help relieve stress and depression. Try to eliminate the causes of depression and you won't need such medications.