Yes, Paxil can cause weight gain, as can other SSRI antidepressant medications. In its class, Paxil causes the most weight gain perhaps because it can be sedating, which tends to limit physical activity. Other antidepressants such as MAOIs and tricyclics can cause weight gain as well. We are not really sure why this occurs, and the reasons may differ among the various types of medications. In some cases, antidepressants can cause an increase in appetite, due to the effect on the brain’s appetite center. If there is no particular reason why your doctor recommended Paxil, you may consider trying another SSRI, such as Prozac, Zoloft, Celexa, or Lexapro. Sometimes physicians use Paxil to treat anxiety-based depression, so the others may not work as well for you if this is the case. If you simply must stay on Paxil, I would start a diet and exercise program with the help of a reputable, hospital-based weight-loss program. The nutritionist may recommend a diet and exercise program along with an appetite suppressant to counteract the effects of Paxil. Another strategy would be to begin taking Wellbutrin as well, another antidepressant that will enable you to use a lower dose of paroxetine, the active ingredient in Paxil. Wellbutrin is one of the only antidepressants that does not cause weight gain and may actually help patients lose weight. Q2. Do seasonal allergies cause you to feel tired all the time? What can I do about constant fatigue during allergy season? When most people think of allergies, they think of the typical symptoms of sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes. But fatigue, sinus pain and asthma also result from allergy. Symptoms may interfere with your sleep, which can cause fatigue, but an allergic reaction itself can release chemicals in your body that cause fatigue. The best remedy for the fatigue is to get control of the allergies. Have yourself tested by an allergist to find out what you are allergic to, what to avoid and how to control your environment. An antihistamine and/or a leukotriene modifier may also help. If that’s insufficient, there are always allergy shots. Another point to keep in mind is that many antihistamines cause drowsiness, which could be the cause of your fatigue if you take them for your seasonal allergies. Learn more in the Everyday Health Diet and Nutrition Center.
