|
Citalopram (Celexa) is an anti
depressant from the class of drugs known as Selective
Seretonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). Also used to treat GAD
(generalized anxiety disorder). Research now indicates that
usage of Celexa leads to carbohydrate cravings and a weight
gain over time of 15 to 20 pounds. Though the official website
of the company claims that this weight gain is only temporary
and goes away after some time. Some experts are of the opinion
that weight gain with Celexa is not as bad as compared to
other SSRI’s which maybe because it is not that potent though
these findings are still tentative.
Antidpressants creative a sedative effect on the body which
leads to decreased amount of activity. They affect a chemical
in the brain called serotonin which affects one’s appetite and
food intake. Many a time patients are unaware that they have
been overeating and putting on weight and realize much later
their horror. Then end up grappling with two problems of being
depressed and overweight. Though one could draw a conclusion
that there is a drug induced decrease in metabolism, there are
no substantial data which has been found to prove this.
Everything is still a mystery.
It is not possible to also say that weight is gain is
unavoidable while taking SSRI’s. Anticipating such a
possibility, the therapist can prepare the patient for this
unpleasant side effect by encouraging him to maintain a food
chart, exercise regularly and decrease his caloric intake
particularly carbohydrates.
There is also no evidence as of today by which one could
surmise that weight gain is more in women than men as
everyone’s metabolism is different and needless to say there
are differences in height, age, genetics, lifestyle etc.
Exercise can certainly be beneficial. There is another theory
that while exercising there is a release of endorphins which
cause a certain amount of pleasure which cause a increase in
the amount of activity. Experts advise drinking upto 10
glasses of water a day, cutting down on carbohydrates and
protein intake. Some also suggest drinking diet coke a coffe
which inhibit our appetites though I don’t think that is very
healthy option. It would be better to drink a lot of water
prior to a meal to curb one’s appetite. One could also take
some lessons from the slow food movement in Italy by
dedicating some more time to eating and not eating on the go;
chew each morsel slowly.
Many people are frustrated with the fact they can control
their appetite but cannot control their metabolism. A patient
who had been taking Celexa found it to be much better than
other antidepressants in terms of side effects and recommends
it over all the others. Another patient discontinued Zoloft
with which she was unhappy for a number of reasons and went
back to Celexa which she had been using throughout her
pregnancy and found that she was now losing weight.
Another patient reported gaining ten pounds since switching
over to Celexa and now wants to change over to another
antidepressant.
So our reactions to
antidepressants are very individual and it is very difficult
to make an across the board conclusion. It might take years on
research to come to any definite conclusion. Till then, one
can only hypothesize and take all the necessary precautions.
|
