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Why Do Anti-Depressants Cause a Loss of Appetite?

Antidepressants are medications prescribed to treat depressive disorders and related mental conditions. Depending on the type of depression involved, antidepressants may cause weight loss by increasing energy levels and suppressing appetite.

  1. Significance

    • According to CBSNews.com, nearly 190 million prescriptions for antidepressants are written each year, making them the single most frequently prescribed class of drug in the U.S.

    Types

    • SSRIs are the most commonly used antidepressants, followed by atypical antidepressants and tricyclics. MAOIs may also be effective but are generally considered a last resort due to the life-threatening interactions they cause with common foods and medications.

    Atypical Depression

    • Despite the name, atypical depression is the most common depressive disorder, affecting some 40 percent of patients, according to DepressionPerception.com. Symptoms include overeating, oversleeping and lack of energy, which often result in weight gain.

    Neurotransmitters and Appetite

    • Serotonin and other neurotransmitters play an important role in regulating mood, appetite and other states of being. In people with atypical depression, low serotonin levels lead to increased food cravings and need for sleep. When effective, antidepressants can help reverse these symptoms by normalizing serotonin levels in the brain.

    Gastrointestinal Side Effects

    • Antidepressants may also cause weight loss by inducing nausea and vomiting, which can cause loss of appetite. Other gastrointestinal side effects, like diarrhea, can contribute significantly to weight loss as well.

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