How to stop Lexapro weight gain?

Key Points

• Weight gain is a common side effect of the antidepressant, Lexapro (escitalopram).
• Balanced nutrition with whole foods, tracking eating patterns, reducing sodium intake, and regular physical activity can help you manage your weight on SSRI antidepressants.
• A registered dietitian can develop a personalized nutrition plan to help manage Lexapro weight gain

Antidepressants like Lexapro (escitalopram) help millions of Americans manage their depression and anxiety. These medications, known as SSRIs, are among the most commonly prescribed in the US, with over 30 million Lexapro prescriptions filled annually.

Unfortunately, many who take Lexapro notice an unwelcome side effect: weight gain. This happens because escitalopram affects the pathways in our body that influence our mood and metabolism.

While this side effect can be discouraging, you don't have to choose between your mental health and maintaining a healthy weight. This article offers practical, evidence-based strategies to manage weight gain on Lexapro.

Does Lexapro make you gain weight?

Registered dietitian, Rosemary Rodriguez, RD, explains, “Lexapro (escitalopram) may result in weight changes. As with any selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), the role of the medication is to increase serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin, also known as the happy hormone, helps create feelings of emotional balance and relaxation. An improved mood can contribute to weight gain. There is a medium risk for Lexapro-related weight gain, between 2.4-4 pounds over an 8–9 month period.”

Certain lifestyle factors can increase your risk of gaining weight while taking Lexapro. A study specifically examining SSRI antidepressants like Lexapro found that several key factors make weight gain more likely, such as:

• Smoking
• Eating patterns centered around ultra-processed foods, sugar-rich carbohydrates, and high amounts of dairy products
• Insufficient physical movement and prolonged periods of inactivity in daily life

It is essential to note that not everyone experiences weight gain with Lexapro. Some people maintain their weight, and a smaller percentage may even lose weight. Your response to the medication depends on various factors, including your metabolism, lifestyle habits, and how your body reacts to it.

How to stop Lexapro weight gain?

Rodriguez, RD, says, “Reasons why a person may be experiencing weight gain while on an antidepressant, such as Lexapro, could be attributed to improved mood, especially if depression had made it difficult for a person to properly nourish their body previously. Other reasons may include increased hunger or mistaking thirst signals as hunger signals.”

Antidepressant use was associated with a 21% higher risk of gaining 5% or more of body weight. This risk was highest during the second and third years of treatment, rather than immediately after starting the medication.

If you're concerned about weight gain while taking Lexapro, there are several strategies you can use to maintain a healthy weight without compromising your mental health treatment.

1. Eating a balanced diet

The foundation of managing your weight while on Lexapro is a balanced, nutritious diet. The best diet on Lexapro focuses on whole, minimally processed foods that provide essential nutrients while helping you feel satisfied.

Prioritize fruits and vegetables for fiber and essential vitamins, lean proteins like chicken breast and legumes, whole grains such as brown rice and oats, and healthy fats from avocados and olive oil.

Creating this balanced approach to nutrition can be complex, especially when dealing with mental health conditions. A registered dietitian can help if you are taking Lexapro and want a personalized nutrition plan tailored to your needs.

2. Tracking your food habits

Becoming aware of your eating patterns is a powerful tool for managing weight gain on Lexapro. Keep a food journal to track your meals, snacks, and beverages.

This practice isn't about restricting calories, but more about gaining insights into your eating habits. You may notice that you tend to crave cookies when you're tired at the end of the day, or grab a sugary drink as a default with your lunch.

Once you identify these patterns, you can learn ways to counter or mitigate their effects. For example, consuming more lean protein and fiber at lunch may help reduce your afternoon sugar cravings. Eating a handful of nuts with some cheese while preparing your dinner or on your commute back from work may suppress food cravings before dinner.

3. Lower your sodium intake

SSRIs like Lexapro can lead to water retention in your body. To counter this, consider lowering your sodium intake, as it may help reduce fluid retention.

Here are some ways to lower fluid retention in your body:

• Reduce your intake of processed foods, restaurant meals, and packaged snacks, which often contain high amounts of sodium.
• Read food labels for sodium content
• Eating potassium-rich foods can help balance sodium levels in the body. Bananas, apples, avocados, and leafy greens are a quick way to increase potassium in your diet
• Try to cook more meals at home, where you control your salt intake
• Use herbs and spices to complement salt to flavor foods
• Stay well-hydrated, as adequate water intake helps your body manage sodium levels

4. Avoid or limit alcohol and tobacco

Both alcohol and nicotine can interfere with your weight management efforts and potentially interact with Lexapro. Alcohol contains empty calories and can lower your inhibitions around food choices, leading to weight gain.

While smoking might suppress appetite initially, smokers taking antidepressants like Lexapro are actually at higher risk for weight gain. If you smoke, consider working with your healthcare provider on a smoking cessation plan.

5. Get moving

Lexapro is an antidepressant. So, sometimes, when you take SSRIs like Lexapro, you feel better. When your mood improves, your appetite may improve, and you may enjoy your meals a little more. You may also start to socialize more, and many social gatherings are tied to food. As a result, you may end up gaining weight.

Regular exercise can help manage your weight gain. The US CDC recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week, along with muscle-strengthening exercises twice a week. If you're just starting, even small increases in daily movement can help.

6. Check in with your doctor

Open communication with your healthcare provider is essential when managing Lexapro's side effects. Schedule regular check-ins to discuss your weight changes and overall well-being.

Your doctor might:

• Adjust your dosage if appropriate
• Consider switching to a different antidepressant if weight gain is significant
• Recommend additional support, such as a referral to a registered dietitian
• Monitor other health markers that might be affected by weight changes

Never stop taking Lexapro or adjust your dosage without consulting your healthcare provider.

7. Work with a registered dietitian

“A person who is experiencing antidepressant-related weight gain may expect to evaluate their nutrition and lifestyle with a registered dietitian,” says Rodriguez, RD. ‘Whether it is adding protein, adding fiber, increasing hydration, or increasing physical activity, all of these areas can address potential causes of antidepressant-related weight gain.”

A registered dietitian who specializes in weight management can provide personalized nutrition plans based on your specific needs, preferences, and medical history. Many health insurance plans also cover these services.

Final thoughts: How to stop Lexapro weight gain

Lexapro can be life-changing for many people struggling with depression and anxiety. While weight gain is a legitimate concern, it shouldn't prevent you from benefiting from this effective medication.

By implementing balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, and limiting alcohol and tobacco intake, you can manage your weight while prioritizing your mental health. To support you, a registered dietitian can offer personalized guidance.

Find a weight loss dietitian near you who accepts your insurance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does weight gain from Lexapro go away?

The experience varies from person to person. For some individuals, weight changes stabilize over time as their body adjusts to the medication. Others may find that increased physical activity and dietary modifications help them lose weight gained while on Lexapro.

Talk to your healthcare provider about your unique situation. Some lose weight as they become more active and follow a nutritious, balanced diet after starting Lexapro.

Will I lose weight if I stop taking Lexapro?

Never stop taking Lexapro on your own without consulting your healthcare provider. Stopping it without medical supervision could impact your mental health.

If weight gain on Lexapro is on your mind, discuss your concerns with your doctor. You may also consider working with a registered dietitian who can tailor your diet to your body’s response to Lexapro.

Who is at higher risk of weight gain from Lexapro?

Certain people may be more prone to weight gain on Lexapro. This group includes smokers, people who lead sedentary lifestyles, and those with diets rich in carbohydrates, sugar, dairy, and highly processed foods.

If you need help, consider consulting a registered dietitian to help mitigate weight gain associated with Lexapro. Your dietitian can also work closely with your healthcare provider to provide a customized solution made just for you.

Manage Lexapro weight gain with a registered dietitian, covered by insurance.

The views expressed by authors and contributors of such content are not endorsed or approved by Fay and are intended for informational purposes only. The content is reviewed by Fay only to confirm educational value and audience interest. You are encouraged to discuss any questions that you may have about your health with a healthcare provider.