Weight Gain Due To Zoloft
Zoloft is the most popular antidepressant which cures depression. If your doctor or physician prescribed this medication to you, you could experience a better improvement in your mood, energy levels, and good sleep.
Also, it boosts your appetite, apart from this you also feel that you gain a little amount of weight in your body.
This drug will have a severe effect on your body. Weight gain is the top most adverse effect of any antidepressant medication.
But you must manage some symptoms after taking this medication for a healthy lifestyle.
In this article, we are here to explain everything related to why you gain weight from taking antidepressants like Zoloft medication.
We will discuss adverse effects and provide some precautions to manage your weight while taking Zoloft medication.
What is Zoloft?
Zoloft is an antidepressant medication that is used to cure depression. It is a brand name for sertraline hydrochloride and is also known as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor or SSRI.
It will boost the serotonin level of the brain.
Serotonin is like a neurotransmitter, the nervous system’s molecule for carrying the message between the neurons and the brain.
Serotonin conveys the message to the cell receptor. The body absorbs serotonin, and it is recycled later.
When anyone consumes this medication to boost the brain’s serotonin level, they get more opportunities to communicate.
It will increase the learning, thinking, and memory power of a human being. It also cures the mood, sleep cycle, and appetite and balances the emotions of human beings.
However, the clinicians are not sure whether the serotonin level decreases, causing major depression or mental illness.
After using this medication, you can boost your serotonin level and balance your mental health. It will be so impactful on the patient’s lifestyle. Zoloft was approved in 1991 for medical use.
Even the US Food and Drug Administration approved it.
You can take this medication by prescription from a doctor. Individuals can take this medication orally in the form of pills and liquid concentration.
You can take the dosages of serotonin in the morning and evening time.
Why Does Zoloft Cause Weight Gain?
It is the best medication for the treatment of depression and anxiety. But it also controls the regular appetite of human beings.
Taking Zoloft can increase the cravings for carbs rich in food such as pasta, bread, or desserts. If this is not monitored, it will be turned into heavy weight gain.
And it will be impactful on the daily lifestyle of humans. Experts have not confirmed what substance added to Zoloft causes weight gain.
It will also strengthen the metabolism due to the heavy fluctuations in serotonin. When you are in depression, you should eat less when you take the medication and start feeling better.
It will return the appetite, but not everyone gains weight by taking the Zoloft medication. Zoloft can affect the patients differently, some people gain weight, and some lose their appetite.
Other Antidepressants That Cause Weight Gain
Most antidepressants are associated with weight loss when you take them in a specific and short manner. But if you take this for the long term, you can cause weight gain from this medication.
Other common antidepressants that cause weight gain:
- Fluoxetine
- Paroxetine
- Citalopram
These are the common antidepressants that can cause weight gain, and the studies of experts prove it. In most cases, this medication will work differently.
Adverse Effects Of Zoloft
When you are used to Zoloft, it will affect your body differently. So, there are common side effects that are very dangerous for humans.
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Excessive sweating
- Insomnia
- Dizziness
- Dryness in mouth
- Appetite loss
- Upset stomach
- Nausea
- Restlessness
- Constipation
- Decreases sex life
- Nervousness
Apart from that, there are also some serious adverse effects if you take this Zoloft medication for the long term.
You cannot take this medication without any prescription; otherwise, you have to suffer from serious medical issues.
Some Serious Adverse Effects :
- Shaking
- Unusually weight loss
- Vomiting
- Difficulty in breathing
- Quickness in a heartbeat
- Some symptoms of serotonin syndrome
- Bloody stools
- Blurred vision
- Changes in vision
- Swelling on the face and lips
- Skin rashes
- Convulsions
- Suicidal thoughts
- Seizures
How To Manage The Weight Gain?
After taking Zoloft, you must manage your weight gain. You must check and monitor your diet daily, and you must also increase your physical activities.
- Watching and monitoring what you eat
- Increase physical activities
- Intermittent fasting
- Improves Quality of sleep
Warnings and Precautions
If you facing some serious health issues or allergies, first consult with your doctor for the prescription of Zoloft. If you take any other medications then consume Zoloft after the doctor’s prescription.
Drug interactions are dangerous for your health. Various antidepressants are working efficiently. You have to tell your physician your medical history before taking Zoloft.
What To Avoid During The Consumption of Zoloft?
When taking the medication of Zoloft, you have to avoid drinking alcohol. If you consume alcohol, the serotonin level gets spiked temporarily.
It can cause the worst effect of anxiety and depression in the very long term. It will also increase the risk of suicidal behavior.
Final Words
This article gives complete information related to Zoloft’s weight gain. Most people want to take the medication of antidepressants like Zoloft, but they don’t know about the side effects, warnings, and precautions of consuming antidepressants.
We are reviewing complete information regarding Zoloft.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs) about Zoloft weight gain
Ans. The effects of Zoloft are blocking the hormones that control fluid and sodium in the body. The fluid retention starts in the body, which is responsible for gaining weight.
Ans. From consuming Zoloft, you can gain 1 to 1.6% weight in your body when taking this medication for around six months to 1 year.
Ans. Yes, when you take antidepressants like Zoloft for the long term, you gain weight efficiently. And it’s harder to lose weight for those people who are taking medication for the long term.
