Do Anxiety Meds Make You Lose Weight?

Anxiety medications are not known for causing weight loss. In fact, tricyclic antidepressants used in some people for anxiety can cause weight gain.

Anxiety disorders are a common type of psychiatric disorder characterized by anxiety or fear that does not diminish over time. 

Types of anxiety disorders include:

• Generalized anxiety disorder
• Social anxiety disorder (social phobia)
• Panic disorder
• Separation anxiety disorder
• Phobias
• Agoraphobia
• Selective mutism
• Substance/medication-induced anxiety disorder
• Anxiety disorders due to other medical conditions

Treatment for anxiety disorders usually consists of a combination of medication and/or psychotherapy. 

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as paroxetine (Paxil), escitalopram (Lexapro), sertraline (Zoloft), fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), and citalopram (Celexa). Side effects may include:
  • Nausea
  • Tremor (shaking) 
  • Nervousness 
  • Problems sleeping 
  • Sexual problems
  • Sweating
  • Agitation
  • Feeling tired
• Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as venlafaxine (Effexor and Effexor XR) and duloxetine (Cymbalta) – side effects may include:
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Dry mouth
  • Constipation 
  • Fatigue 
  • Feeling drowsy
  • Dizziness
  • Sweating
  • Sexual problems
• Atypical antidepressants such as nefazodone (Serzone), mirtazapine (Remeron), and trazodone (Desyrel).Side effects may include:
  • Dry mouth 
  • Dizziness 
  • Blurred vision 
  • Feeling drowsy or sleepy
  • Constipation
  • Weight gain
• Tricyclic antidepressants such as imipramine (Tofranil) and clomipramine (Anafranil) . Side effects may include:
  • Dry mouth
  • Blurred vision
  • Constipation
  • Difficulty urinating
  • Drowsiness
  • Dizziness
  • Weight gain
  • Excessive sweating (especially at night)
  • Heart rhythm problems, such as palpitations or fast heartbeat 
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Emsam), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and isocarboxazid (Marplan). Side effects may include:
  • Nausea
  • Restlessness 
  • Problems sleeping 
  • Dizziness 
  • Drowsiness
• Benzodiazepines, especially in emergency situations such as lorazepam (Ativan), clonazepam (Klonopin), and alprazolam (Xanax). Side effects may include:
  • Drowsiness
  • Lightheadedness
  • Confusion
  • Balance problems
  • Dizziness
  • Slurred speech
  • Muscle weakness
  • Memory problems
  • Constipation
  • Nausea 
  • Dry mouth
  • Blurred vision
• Anti-anxiety drugs such as buspirone (BuSpar). Side effects may include:
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Headache
  • Nervousness
  • Lightheadedness
  • Drowsiness
  • Feeling tired
  • Blurred vision
  • Restlessness
  • Dry mouth
  • Upset stomach
  • Stuffy nose
  • Sore throat
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Excitement
  • Sleep problems (insomnia or strange dreams)
• Anticonvulsants such as pregabalin (Lyrica), divalproex (Depakote), and gabapentin (Neurontin). Side effects may include:
  • Feeling tired
  • Stomach upset or discomfort
  • Dizziness
  • Blurred vision
• Antihypertensive drugs such as clonidine (Catapres), propranolol (Inderal, Betachron E-R, InnoPran XL), nadolol (Corgard), and atenolol (Tenormin). Side effects may include:
  • Diarrhea
  • Stomach cramps
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Rash
  • Blurred vision
  • Disorientation
  • Insomnia
  • Hair loss
  • Weakness
  • Muscle cramps
  • Fatigue

Anxiety medications often tend to make patients gain weight. Atypical antidepressants and tricyclic antidepressants commonly result in weight gain. 

Some medications used to treat anxiety including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) may cause nausea which causes a loss of appetite that can result in weight loss.