Does Trazodone Trigger Weight Achieve? — Talkspace

Trazodone is an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) antidepressant treatment 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 unwanted effects to contemplate earlier than you are taking this drug — however does Trazodone trigger weight acquire? Whereas not a standard facet impact as with another antidepressant drugs, it’s true that Trazodone weight acquire is a potential hostile impact. 

Learn on to study why you may acquire weight on Trazodone, how a lot you may acquire, and methods to handle it so you may make an knowledgeable resolution when selecting a remedy plan that features Trazodone on-line.

Do You At all times Achieve Weight on Trazodone?

This in the end is dependent upon a number of components, together with private physique chemistry and life-style habits. Although most customers don’t expertise important weight acquire as an hostile impact whereas taking Trazodone, some will. Analysis exhibits that second-generation antidepressants — which Trazodone is — may be linked to weight acquire. 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 could be a frequent facet impact, particularly if somebody is obese after they start taking this treatment. 

How a lot weight will you acquire from Trazodone?  

It’s necessary to grasp that not everybody will expertise Trazodone weight acquire — it’s truly a reasonably uncommon facet impact of Trazodone. Some research counsel that individuals who take Trazodone might acquire a median of 1 – 2 kilos inside 6 weeks of beginning remedy. 

“Though it won’t seem to be a whole lot of weight, taking the drug for a very long time will even enhance the possibilities of physique mass enhance.”

– Talkspace therapist Reshawna Chapple, PhD, LCSW

Outcomes might differ considerably relying on components reminiscent of life-style and different drugs taken earlier than beginning or throughout Trazodone remedy.

Why Does Trazodone Trigger Weight Achieve?

Weight acquire on Trazodone could be attributable to a number of causes. 

Hormonal modifications

Trazodone can have an effect on the hormones leptin and ghrelin, which regulate urge for food and metabolism. This may increasingly lead to elevated starvation cravings and decreased vitality expenditure when taken in increased doses or for extra prolonged intervals. 

Change in serotonin ranges

As an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor), Trazodone additionally alters serotonin concentrations, probably altering meals consumption by influencing feelings and emotions linked to food regimen.

Change in bodily exercise ranges

Lowered bodily exercise stage is one other potential reason behind weight acquire on Trazodone. Trazodone induces sleepiness, which could lead to much less motivation or vitality to have interaction in bodily exercise.

Change in metabolism

Slowed metabolism may result from decreased exercise ranges, resulting in weight acquire. Elevated starvation

Elevated urge for food — maybe attributable to a change in serotonin ranges — can result in increased meals consumption. 

Change in food regimen

Poor dietary decisions reminiscent of 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 the direction of potential weight acquire.

Fats storage

Trazodone could also be associated to a disruption in homeostatic processes, inflicting a rise in fats storage and resulting in weight acquire. 

Elevated social interplay

When antidepressants do their job, you are feeling higher. While you really feel higher, chances are you’ll be extra inclined to spend time in social settings the place food and drinks are frequent. Finally, you may expertise a weight change for those who’re socializing and consuming extra. 

The way to Handle Weight Achieve on Trazodone

Gaining weight could be an surprising final result of utilizing Trazodone for some folks. For these already obese or overweight, weight acquire may be much more frequent and may have critical well being penalties.  

Fortuitously, there are methods that may show you how to keep a wholesome weight whereas taking Trazodone.

• Monitor your weight: Holding monitor of your weight is step one in managing any potential modifications from taking Trazodone. It’s necessary to weigh your self frequently to know in case your weight has modified considerably since beginning the treatment. 
• Monitor your food regimen: Monitoring your food regimen will show you how to determine any dietary patterns which may be contributing to undesirable kilos.
• Train frequently: Exercising no less than 3 instances per week might help preserve off further kilos and enhance total bodily and psychological well-being whereas on Trazodone. Cardiovascular actions reminiscent of working 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 options like contemporary vegetables and fruit, lean meats, and extra helpful fat gives important nutritional vitamins and minerals whereas retaining calorie consumption low. Skipping processed snacks (like chips) and sugary drinks (like soda) will even show you how to keep away from weight acquire.
• Change drugs: Should you’re experiencing in depth weight acquire and imagine it’s associated to Trazodone, speak to your physician about switching drugs. Simply be sure you speak to them first earlier than stopping abruptly as this may be harmful and result in Trazodone withdrawal.

“Focus on weight acquire along with your physician. They may counsel switching to a distinct treatment or decreasing 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 cut back salt consumption.”

– Talkspace therapist Reshawna Chapple, PhD, LCSW

Discover Out If Trazodone Is Proper for You

Should you’re contemplating taking Trazodone in your anxiousness or depressive dysfunction, it’s essential to weigh the dangers and advantages earlier than making a choice. Though there are some unwanted effects related to taking this treatment, together with potential weight acquire, they will typically be minimized when taken correctly underneath medical supervision. 

By taking Trazodone underneath a physician’s care, these affected by psychological well being points can profit with out compromising their security. Controlling potential Trazodone weight acquire is feasible. Discuss to an on-line psychiatrist right this moment to study extra about Trazodone and if it’s best for you.