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I’ve Been On Lexapro 5 Mg For Two Months. It

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Posted on Wed, 3 Jun 2020
Question: I’ve been on Lexapro 5 mg for two months. It has helped me so much with my anxiety but I have gained 7 lbs sadly. I am so much more upset now because I’d the weight gain. My doctor added Wellbutrin to help but it hasn’t helped with the weight at all. I don’t know what to do or take that will have similar experiences for me as Lexapro. I have tried zoloft in the past and it doesn’t help. What can I do?
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
I think adding exercise will be much useful instead of medications

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.

I read your query and understand your concerns.

First of all I like to inform you that no medications are similar despite having same mechanism of action. However Celexa (citalopram) is most close to Lexapro and can be used unless it was unsuccessful in past.

I do not see any value for wellbutrin as it is weight neutral medication and rarely helps in decreasing the weight.

Practically speaking I feel that addition of exercise will be the most viable step to offset the weight gain due to Lexapro. Fortunately Lexapro does not cause severe weight gain and change of life style is often sufficient to decrease weight. The change in life style includes restriction of high calorie diet and adequate exercise.

To be precise exercise of 45-60 minutes every day will be enough to loss that extra pounds and will also help you with anxiety symptoms.

I hope this answers you.
Feel free to write back to me if you have more questions.
Thanks and regards.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2000

Answered : 3355 Questions

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I’ve Been On Lexapro 5 Mg For Two Months. It

Brief Answer: I think adding exercise will be much useful instead of medications Detailed Answer: Dear XXXXXXX Thanks for using Healthcaremagic. I read your query and understand your concerns. First of all I like to inform you that no medications are similar despite having same mechanism of action. However Celexa (citalopram) is most close to Lexapro and can be used unless it was unsuccessful in past. I do not see any value for wellbutrin as it is weight neutral medication and rarely helps in decreasing the weight. Practically speaking I feel that addition of exercise will be the most viable step to offset the weight gain due to Lexapro. Fortunately Lexapro does not cause severe weight gain and change of life style is often sufficient to decrease weight. The change in life style includes restriction of high calorie diet and adequate exercise. To be precise exercise of 45-60 minutes every day will be enough to loss that extra pounds and will also help you with anxiety symptoms. I hope this answers you. Feel free to write back to me if you have more questions. Thanks and regards.