Paroxetine can cause significant weight gain, especially with long-term use. Learn why it happens, how it compares to other antidepressants, and practical steps to manage or reverse it without sacrificing mental health.
Read MoreParoxetine Weight Gain: What You Need to Know and What to Do
When you start taking paroxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used to treat depression, anxiety, and OCD. Also known as Paxil, it helps many people feel like themselves again—but for some, it comes with an unwanted side effect: weight gain, a common but poorly understood change in body weight linked to certain antidepressants. Unlike some other SSRIs, paroxetine has one of the highest rates of weight gain among its class, with studies showing up to 25% of users gain 7% or more of their body weight within six months. This isn’t about laziness or poor willpower—it’s biology.
Why does this happen? serotonin, a brain chemical that regulates mood, appetite, and metabolism gets flooded by paroxetine, which can mess with hunger signals. Some people feel hungrier, especially for carbs. Others notice their metabolism slowing down, even if they eat the same amount. And because paroxetine can make you feel less anxious, you might start eating more because food feels safer or more comforting. It’s not just about calories—it’s about how your brain and body adapt to the drug. If you’re already managing stress, depression, or anxiety, the last thing you need is to feel worse about your body. The good news? This isn’t inevitable, and it’s not permanent.
People often panic and quit paroxetine when they see the scale creep up. But stopping suddenly can trigger withdrawal, worsen your original symptoms, or even lead to rebound anxiety. Instead, talk to your doctor. There are ways to manage this. Switching to another antidepressant like bupropion, an atypical antidepressant linked to weight loss or neutral weight effects might help. Or adding lifestyle changes—like regular walking, tracking meals without obsession, or working with a nutritionist—can offset the effects. You don’t have to choose between mental health and physical health. You can have both, with the right plan.
Below, you’ll find real-world advice from people who’ve been there: how they handled the weight gain, what worked, what didn’t, and how they kept moving forward without giving up on their treatment. Whether you’re just starting paroxetine or have been on it for months, these insights can help you take control—not the other way around.