Weight gain on Citalpram?

[DimpledDevil]

I had been taking 10mg of Citalpram for anxiety and it seemed to help. I just felt generally calmer and ready to deal with problems as they arose and my family and friends thought that I seemed calmer and less tightly wound. The only times it didn't help too much was right around my period when my anxiety would spike along with PMS symptoms. Anyway it worked pretty well but I gained a ton of weight which may or may not have been a side effect.

I stopped taking it almost a year ago and after a few months I lost a ton of weight and I'm now back down to about where I was pre meds. I feel a lot better about my body and more confident but now I'm going through a very stressful period with lots of changes and am thinking of trying to get back on some meds. I know it sounds petty but I'm afraid of going back on the meds and gaining the weight again. Is this all in my head or has anyone else experienced this?

[ashly1221]

I have never experienced that, but I have a relatively fast metabolism and am a very active person generally and eat really healthy. All those things together work well for me but may not for others. I know with Citalopram it is listed right in the main side effects that weight gain is very common. If you do decide to go back on it, just keep in mind that it is a side effect and try to watch and see if you're eating more than normal or getting less activity than normal. But in the end you are the one who has to decide if the benefits of going on the medication will outweigh the side effects for you. Everyone is different. Best of luck to you :)