Are there anti-anxiety meds that cause weight loss?

Have you ever felt those first-date jitters or nerves over an upcoming job interview? From time to time, we all experience a certain degree of anxiety, especially when dealing with issues related to our health, money, and relationships. Anxiety in small doses can actually be beneficial to our health—these feelings can help us notice when we’re in danger, helping ensure our safety (Steimer, 2002).  

But if your feelings of anxiety are extreme and long-lasting, you may be suffering from an anxiety disorder. There are many types of anxiety disorders, some of which are treatable with medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of both. While these medications can effectively treat your anxiety, they may also cause certain side effects, including weight gain or weight loss. 

Weight gain is a more common symptom of anti-anxiety medications than weight loss. A 2019 review of 27 studies found that, on average, participants experienced a weight gain of 5% while taking antidepressants (which are commonly used to treat anxiety, too) (Alonso-Pedrero, 2019). 

There are a few possible reasons you may gain weight when on anti-anxiety medications. First, if you are depressed or have an anxiety disorder, this can affect your appetite, causing you to gain weight. Secondly, some types of antidepressants can increase appetite and affect your metabolism, causing your body to burn calories more slowly, which may result in weight gain. 

However, some anti-anxiety meds can also cause weight loss by decreasing a person’s appetite. As mentioned earlier, your depression, anxiety, or overall mental health may affect your eating habits and activity levels. Treating the underlying condition may lessen or stop these behaviors that lead to weight gain. 

Weight loss while taking anti-anxiety medications is less common than weight gain, but it can happen. However, all weight changes while taking medication are individual, so it’s hard to predict what will happen before you start taking a particular drug. 

Many providers turn to certain types of antidepressants, like SSRIs or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, to treat anxiety—they can help ease symptoms of anxiety and depression while causing fewer side effects than other types of antidepressants. Some SSRIs have been shown to cause weight loss in the short term but can lead to an increase in weight after six months (Lee, 2016). This initial weight loss may come from feeling better due to the drug, which can make people more active. 

Antidepressants can also cause nausea or loss of appetite, which can result in weight loss.  

There are, in fact, certain antidepressants that are more likely to cause weight loss. Let’s take a look at them below. 

While there is no one best anxiety medication for weight loss, there are a few antidepressants that are not associated with weight gain. These include: 

• Bupropion (Wellbutrin; see Important Safety Information)

• Fluoxetine (Prozac; see Important Safety Information)

• Duloxetine (Cymbalta; see Important Safety Information)

Bupropion

Bupropion is an antidepressant and smoking cessation aid. Studies suggest that non-smokers who take bupropion may lose around 7 pounds (Aggarwal, 2016). Of the antidepressants listed above, bupropion has the most studies connecting it to weight loss. 

Fluoxetine

Fluoxetine is an SSRI used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), bulimia nervosa, and panic disorder. Recent research suggests that adults with overweight or obesity may lose an average of up to 2.7 kilograms (about 6 pounds) during the first six months of treatment. However, fluoxetine does come with side effects other than weight gain (Serralde-Zuñiga, 2022).

Duloxetine

Duloxetine is an antidepressant and nerve medication. While taking duloxetine may lead to about a pound of weight loss after 8 or 9 weeks of treatment, taking it for longer may lead to eventual weight gain, especially at higher doses (Wise, 2006). 

Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications are very effective at treating depression and anxiety—but they can have side effects. While more research is needed to fully understand why and how these medications affect weight, we know that depression and anxiety can also affect your appetite and behaviors and, therefore, your weight. 

While most medications of this type are associated with weight gain, certain anti-anxiety medications may be linked to weight loss. Because everyone is different, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to these types of medications. Talk with your healthcare provider about your medication regime, and know that regular exercise, healthy eating habits, and good self-care remain essential parts of managing weight.

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Current version

September 26, 2022

Written by

Mariah Adcox

Fact checked by

Chimene Richa, MD

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About the medical reviewer

Chimene Richa, MD

Dr. Richa is a board-certified Ophthalmologist and medical writer for Ro.