A common question asked by depression patients is: "Can you lose weight on Celexa?" According to experts and clinical studies, the short answer to that is yes, it is possible.
Celexa
Lundbeck, a pharmaceutical company, developed Celexa in 1989. When the patent expired in 2003, the drug came out in various generic forms.
Typically, Celexa is prescribed as a treatment for depression. It is also considered a treatment for social anxiety disorder, panic disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder. From time to time, it can also be included in treatment plans for Huntington's Disease and premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
Considered a mild anti-depressant, its side effects list is mild compared to many drugs of its kind. Just over 10 percent of patients taking Celexa experienced side effects including vomiting, nausea and diarrhea. Other side effects may be experienced, but these are the ones most linked to the potential for weight loss or gain. Studies have shown that these side effects are short-lived and decrease as the patient is on the drug longer.
Can You Lose Weight on Celexa?
It is very possible to lose weight while taking Celexa. Doctors haven't gone on record as to exactly why, but there are a certain percentage of patients who have actually lost weight without trying while on Celexa.
It could be said that the side effects of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are directly linked to the causes of the weight loss. If these side effects are somewhat severe in the first few weeks a patient is taking Celexa, it's understandable that weight loss would be experienced.
As the drug begins to take effect, patients may return to their previous eating habits. Their depression recedes and they start to get back to regular, daily activities, which may mean exercising. This is a natural way that the drug may, indirectly, cause weight loss. As their moods even out, it becomes less difficult to control eating habits and a focus on a healthy diet may return.
It Won't Happen on Its Own
As much as you might like to hope that it will, Celexa is not going to instantly make you lose weight and become thin like in your dreams. Just like any diet plan, it's going to take work, effort and determination on your part.
Healthy Diet
The first thing to do is to eat healthier. This means paying attention to calories, fat content, sugar levels, sodium levels, etc. You may need to cut portion size, or concentrate on not snacking on junk food throughout the day. Some dietitians recommend their patients eat several small meals each day instead of two or three larger ones. This dispersal of calories is more effective than bundling them all into two or three meals. It stretches out your chances to eat throughout the day, making you feel more satisfied and less hungry.
Exercise
You'll need to start exercising, too. Just changing your eating habits isn't going to completely help. It's healthy for you to exercise, and a routine that includes both weight training and aerobic exercises is going to get you pretty quick results. Exercising four days a week for 30 to 45 minutes each day will get you in the groove pretty quickly. It may seem hard at first, but just keep trying. You should alternate your types of exercise every day. For instance, if the first day you work on strength training exercises, then the second day should be some sort of aerobic exercise.
It is Possible
Even though it may seem your metabolism is working against you, there are no scientific reasons that weight loss on Celexa isn't possible. Ask yourself the question. "Can you lose weight on Celexa?" If you think you can, then you can. If you tell yourself that it's impossible, it probably is.
