Does psychiatric medication make you gain weight?

Question

i have always been a little over weight anyway, but since being on lexapro, effexor, zyprexa and seroquel, my weight has ballooned in the past 2 years, anyone else experienced weight gain and other side effects?

Answer 1

Weight gain is a common side effect of EACH of these drugs. There's not much to do about it unfortunately. However, I would talk to the doctor who is prescribing these drugs. It might be possible to eliminate at least one of them from each category. Both Lexapro and Effexor are antidepressants in the SSRI category (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) while Seroquel and Zyprexa are both antipsychotic medications used in the treatment of schizophrenia or manic depression. However, if this regime has quelled your symptoms, then the trade off (weight gain vs. relief from symptoms) is worth it.  

Answer 2

Weight loss is more usual, they act indirectly as appetite supressants.

Its more likely weight gain is linked to depression/whatever you're being treated for, but i'm sure its a known side effect for all those medicines.

Answer 3

that is a very common side effect of most psychiatric meds