Posted by Cam W. on December 13, 2001, at 16:35:43
In reply to weight loss with efexxor, posted by Haley on December 13, 2001, at 15:42:47
Haley - In the short term Effexor™ (venlafaxine) seems to be associated with weight loss, but as the depression begins to resolve, many people do seem to gain weight on the drug. This is probably partially due to the fact that most people, when they are depressed, lose their appetite, and when the depression resolves, they gain back their appetite and tend to overcompensate. Effexor does not block anticholinergic receptors, which is thought to contribute to the weight gain seen with Paxil™ (paroxetine). Also, the noradrenergic reuptake blocking effects of Effexor may offset some of the weight gain seen with the SSRIs in general.
The weight gain I have seen with Effexor is nowhere near what I see with Paxil or Zoloft™ (sertraline), but it can happen. As long as you watch what you eat (sensible diet, low in fat, minimum of junk food) you should not gain weight.
I have been taking Effexor since May, and I weigh less than I did when I started. I have yo-yoed up and down since May, but since I stopped drinking Coke at work, and snack on veggies instead of beef jerky, my weight has stayed down (although I do seem to be hungry for junk, but it may be psychological because I am not letting myself have any - I am trying to practice what I preach, and it ain't easy). - Cam
poster:Cam W.
thread:86818
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011213/msgs/86827.html