Trazodone is an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) antidepressant remedy that’s used to deal with psychological well being situations like depressive dysfunction and anxiousness. It’s additionally used off-label to assist folks with insomnia and sleep problem.
Like all drugs, there are potential unintended effects to think about earlier than you’re taking this drug — however does Trazodone trigger weight achieve? Whereas not a typical facet impact as with another antidepressant drugs, it’s true that Trazodone weight achieve is a attainable antagonistic impact.
Learn on to be taught why you would possibly achieve weight on Trazodone, how a lot you would possibly achieve, and methods to handle it so you may make an knowledgeable resolution when selecting a remedy plan that features Trazodone on-line.
This finally will depend on a number of components, together with private physique chemistry and way of life habits. Although most customers don’t expertise vital weight achieve as an antagonistic impact whereas taking Trazodone, some will. Analysis exhibits that second-generation antidepressants — which Trazodone is — may be linked to weight achieve. In medical trials, solely about 1% of individuals on Trazodone gained weight.
That mentioned, different analysis finds that there’s the potential for weight reduction in individuals who use Trazodone. Weight reduction is usually a frequent facet impact, particularly if somebody is obese once they start taking this remedy.
How a lot weight will you achieve from Trazodone?
It’s essential to know that not everybody will expertise Trazodone weight achieve — it’s really a reasonably uncommon facet impact of Trazodone. Some research counsel that individuals who take Trazodone might achieve a median of 1 – 2 kilos inside 6 weeks of beginning remedy.
“Though it may not seem to be lots of weight, taking the drug for a very long time may even improve the probabilities of physique mass improve.”
– Talkspace therapist Reshawna Chapple, PhD, LCSW
Outcomes might differ considerably relying on components similar to way of life and different drugs taken earlier than beginning or throughout Trazodone remedy.
Weight achieve on Trazodone may be attributable to a number of causes.
Obtain an analysis and prescription for psychological well being remedy (if wanted) from a psychiatry-trained medical supplier.
Hormonal modifications
Trazodone can have an effect on the hormones leptin and ghrelin, which regulate urge for food and metabolism. This will end in elevated starvation cravings and decreased power expenditure when taken in greater doses or for extra prolonged intervals.
Change in serotonin ranges
As an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor), Trazodone additionally alters serotonin concentrations, doubtlessly altering meals consumption by influencing feelings and emotions related to weight loss program.
Change in bodily exercise ranges
Decreased bodily exercise stage is one other attainable explanation for weight achieve on Trazodone. Trazodone induces sleepiness, which could end in much less motivation or power to interact in bodily exercise.
Change in metabolism
Slowed metabolism may result from diminished exercise ranges, resulting in weight achieve. Elevated starvation
Elevated urge for food — maybe attributable to a change in serotonin ranges — can result in greater meals consumption.
Change in weight loss program
Poor dietary decisions similar to high-calorie snacks or processed meals present little dietary worth however shortly add up in energy over time if not balanced with more healthy choices like fruits or greens, thus contributing additional in direction of attainable weight achieve.
Fats storage
Trazodone could also be associated to a disruption in homeostatic processes, inflicting a rise in fats storage and resulting in weight achieve.
Elevated social interplay
When antidepressants do their job, you are feeling higher. If you really feel higher, it’s possible you’ll be extra inclined to spend time in social settings the place food and drinks are frequent. In the end, you would possibly expertise a weight change in case you’re socializing and consuming extra.
Gaining weight may be an sudden end result of utilizing Trazodone for some folks. For these already obese or overweight, weight achieve may be much more frequent and may have severe well being penalties.
Luckily, there are methods that may enable you keep a wholesome weight whereas taking Trazodone.
- Observe your weight: Retaining monitor of your weight is step one in managing any potential modifications from taking Trazodone. It’s essential to weigh your self frequently to know in case your weight has modified considerably since beginning the remedy.
- Monitor your weight loss program: Monitoring your weight loss program will enable you determine any dietary patterns that could be contributing to undesirable kilos.
- Train frequently: Exercising at the least 3 occasions per week might help maintain off additional kilos and enhance total bodily and psychological well-being whereas on Trazodone. Cardiovascular actions similar to operating or swimming burn energy and launch endorphins confirmed to scale back stress ranges and elevate moods naturally with out relying solely on drugs.
- Eat healthily: Choosing more healthy alternate options like contemporary vegatables and fruits, lean meats, and extra helpful fat offers important nutritional vitamins and minerals whereas protecting calorie consumption low. Skipping processed snacks (like chips) and sugary drinks (like soda) may even enable you keep away from weight achieve.
- Swap drugs: In case you’re experiencing in depth weight achieve and consider it’s associated to Trazodone, discuss to your physician about switching drugs. Simply you’ll want to discuss to them first earlier than stopping abruptly as this may be harmful and result in Trazodone withdrawal.
“Talk about weight achieve together with your physician. They may counsel switching to a unique remedy or reducing the dosage. Restrict portion sizes on meals, train, eat extra protein-rich meals, seek the advice of a dietitian, keep away from alcohol, get sufficient sleep, drink extra water, and scale back salt consumption.”
– Talkspace therapist Reshawna Chapple, PhD, LCSW
In case you’re contemplating taking Trazodone in your anxiousness or depressive dysfunction, it’s essential to weigh the dangers and advantages earlier than making a call. Regardless that there are some unintended effects related to taking this remedy, together with potential weight achieve, they will usually be minimized when taken correctly below medical supervision.
By taking Trazodone below a physician’s care, these affected by psychological well being points can profit with out compromising their security. Controlling potential Trazodone weight achieve is feasible. Discuss to an on-line psychiatrist at the moment to be taught extra about Trazodone and if it’s best for you.
Sources:
- Arterburn D, Sofer T, Boudreau D, et al. Lengthy-term weight change after initiating second-generation antidepressants. Journal of Scientific Medication. 2016;5(4):48. doi:10.3390/jcm5040048. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4850471/. Accessed March 11, 2023.
- DailyMed – Trazodone Hydrochloride Pill. U.S. Nationwide Library of Medication. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=71961ab1-951d-1493-f76c-2ff25cca2a85 Accessed March 11, 2023.
- Weight modifications in antidepressants: a comparability of amitriptyline and trazodone. Neuropsychobiology. 1986;15(1):28-28. doi:10.1159/000118237. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3725001/. Accessed March 11, 2023.
- Weisler RH, Johnston JA, Lineberry CG, Samara B, Branconnier RJ, Billow AA. Comparability of bupropion and trazodone for the remedy of main melancholy. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 1994;14(3):170-179. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8027413/. Accessed March 11, 2023.
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