Lexapro / Escitalopram

[usernamesarah]

I have just been prescribed 5mg Lexapro for depression/anxiety. This will be increased to 10mg after a few weeks. I'm really nervous about going on this medication mainly because I have heard of a lot of people gaining weight from being on it. I know that if I gain weight it will be an obstacle in feeling happier and that defeats the purpose of taking the medication. Is there any way to know if it will affect my weight? I was on Sertraline 50mg about a year ago and that was fine, but it wasn't strong enough. I take a contraceptive pill which has made me lose weight - I don't know if this is related at all or if there is any correlation between the two.
If I do start gaining weight, can I just come straight off it? Will the weight come off again when I stop?
Thanks in advance

[Anne1221]

I have not gained weight on the Lexapro, but I work hard at keeping my weight down. I have always had to work at it. It's worth it to me because I have too much anxiety to go without the Lexapro.

[usernamesarah]

I have not gained weight on the Lexapro, but I work hard at keeping my weight down. I have always had to work at it. It's worth it to me because I have too much anxiety to go without the Lexapro.

Thanks for your reply! Yeah, I definitely need it for the anxiety so I think I'll just go on it, see how it goes and come off if I gain weight

[Kixxi]

I have just been prescribed 5mg Lexapro for depression/anxiety. This will be increased to 10mg after a few weeks. I'm really nervous about going on this medication mainly because I have heard of a lot of people gaining weight from being on it. I know that if I gain weight it will be an obstacle in feeling happier and that defeats the purpose of taking the medication. Is there any way to know if it will affect my weight? I was on Sertraline 50mg about a year ago and that was fine, but it wasn't strong enough. I take a contraceptive pill which has made me lose weight - I don't know if this is related at all or if there is any correlation between the two.
If I do start gaining weight, can I just come straight off it? Will the weight come off again when I stop?
Thanks in advance

Most anxiety tablets have some effect on your appetite, but if you are mindful with what you eat, it shouldn't be a problem. I've actually lost weight on lexapro, since a was on a diet at the time. So at the end of the day I think it lies with lifestyle and eating habits.