Can Lexapro cause binge eating?

This symptom relief could also put a stop to unhealthy patterns of behavior, such as binge eating, which could lead to some weight loss. The United States National Library of Medicine include increased appetite as one of the recognized side effects of Lexapro.

How much weight do you gain on Lexapro?

Experts say that for up to 25% of people, most antidepressant medications — including the popular SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) drugs like Lexapro, Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft — can cause a weight gain of 10 pounds or more.

Do antidepressants cause overeating?

Antidepressants interfere with serotonin, the neurotransmitter that regulates anxiety and mood while also controlling appetite. In particular, these changes may increase cravings for carbohydrate-rich foods, such as bread, pasta, and desserts. When people are depressed, their appetites are affected.

Does Lexapro affect appetite?

Other people lose weight when they’re taking Lexapro. The increase in serotonin may lead to loss of appetite. Most of these side effects are mild. They should eventually go away on their own without treatment.

Does Lexapro have any food interactions?

Notes for Consumers: Most foods do not interact with Escitalopram. However, do not significantly alter your intake of grapefruit juice or grapefruit-containing foods while taking Escitalopram, or avoid grapefruit juice if possible. Side effects from Escitalopram may get worse if you drink grapefruit juice.

Does Lexapro weight gain go away?

There are some reports that people begin to lose weight when first taking Lexapro, but this finding is not well supported by research studies. Another study found that Lexapro didn’t reduce the obsessive-compulsive symptoms linked to binge-eating disorder, but it did reduce weight and body mass index.

Is Lexapro making me fat?

A person taking Lexapro may experience some weight gain, especially with long-term use. There are many reasons this may occur. One is that Lexapro increases serotonin levels, and serotonin plays a role in weight control.

Do antidepressants make food taste better?

Antidepressant drugs can improve people’s sense of taste, a new study has revealed. The surprising findings could lead to a new taste test that predicts how a person will respond to various antidepressants, the researchers say. The findings may also help explain why patients taking such medication often gain weight.

Is antidepressant weight gain permanent?

Researchers at King’s College London found that all twelve of the leading antidepressants — including fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and escitalopram (Lexapro) — increased risk for weight gain for up to six years after starting treatment.

Does food taste better on antidepressants?

The team discovered that those who took SSRIs reported an increased sensitivity to sweet and bitter tastes, detecting them at concentrations of 27 percent and 53 percent lower, respectively, than before ingestion of the drug.

What are the bad side effects of Lexapro?

Is it better to take Lexapro in the morning or at night?

You can take escitalopram at any time of day, as long as you stick to the same time every day. If you have trouble sleeping, it’s best to take it in the morning.

How does serotonin affect weight?

Serotonin is important for weight loss because it is essentially nature’s appetite suppressant. It curbs your appetite, decreases food cravings, and makes you feel satisfied. If your serotonin levels are imbalanced, you may have difficulty controlling what you eat in order to lose weight.

What should you avoid while taking Lexapro?

Avoid taking MAO inhibitors (isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, safinamide, selegiline, tranylcypromine) during treatment with this medication. Most MAO inhibitors should also not be taken for two weeks before and after treatment with this medication.

Should I eat when taking Lexapro?

Escitalopram may be taken with or without food. If your doctor tells you to take it at a specific time, follow your doctor’s instructions. If you are using the oral liquid, shake the bottle well before measuring each dose.

Do I need to eat when I take Lexapro?

Escitalopram may be taken with or without food. If your doctor tells you to take it at a specific time, follow your doctor’s instructions. If you are using the oral liquid, shake the bottle well before measuring each dose. Use a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup to measure each dose.