Question: Joe, I’ve been taking Lexapro for anxiety for the past several months and it’s really helping me. I have however, gained 12 pounds during this period. I brought this to the attention of my PCP and he suggested I switch to the antidepressant Viibryd.

weight_gainI made the switch, but the Viibryd clearly isn’t working for me. Also you should know, I’ve lost 18 pounds in the past 4 months by watching my diet and exercising. Why did I gain weight on the Lexapro, and now that I’m managing my weight better, can I go back to it?

Answer. First, congratulations on the weight loss. The issue is, are you willing to trade the efficacy of the Lexapro for less weight gain by taking the Viibryd. (Viibryd is linked to less weight gain when compared to other serotonin antidepressants.) Or does this even matter, now that you’ve lost 6 more pounds than you gained while on the Lexapro. When mood improves or anxiety is reduced through antidepressant use, the pleasure we typically experience through eating returns, thus there’s a tendency to eat more. Also, some antidepressants lead users to become amotivational, resulting in a more sedentary lifestyle. Medication itself doesn’t induce weight gain, it’s the behaviors that the drugs induce that are the culprits.

My recommendation: Don’t sacrifice the benefits of a drug out of concern for a side effect which you’ve clearly figured out how to manage and control. Go back on the Lexapro and remain vigilant about your diet and exercise regimens.