Does Cymbalta Cause Weight Gain Or Loss?

Cymbalta, also known by its brand name duloxetine, can cause body weight changes. Due to this, many patients with a depressive disorder or anxiety disorder have experienced Cymbalta weight gain or loss. Though a smaller number of patients believe that Duloxetine causes an increase in size because they experienced this as one of the possible adverse health effects in the initial stages of its use. This article examines the link between Cymbalta and body mass and how to prevent changes in body size.

Table Of Contents:

• Does Cymbalta Cause an Increase in Body Size?
• Does It Cause a Decrease in Body Size?
• What Are the Possible Reasons Behind This?
• How Can You Prevent Changes While Using the Drug?
• How to Stay Informed?

Does Cymbalta Cause Weight Gain?

The question “Does Cymbalta cause weight gain?” is difficult to answer due to the complex physiological interactions and changes caused both by depression and the medications used to treat it. Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), Cymbalta’s drug class, are a class of drugs that work by balancing the amount of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain leading to improved mood in depressed patients. Despite the effectiveness of this class of drugs, some such as Duloxetine can cause an increase in body size as an adverse health effect. A study conducted by the U.S National Library of Medicine found an association between Cymbalta and weight gain. They found that the patients with depression who took Duloxetine for long periods were more likely to experience an increase in body mass, particularly those who used Cymbalta for nerve pain. It begs the question of how much extra fat someone can gain and how to stop Cymbalta weight gain.

How Much And How Fast A Patient Can Gain Weight On Cymbalta

Any extra mass patients may put on depends on their Duloxetine dosage and the length of use. Patients who noticed Cymbalta weight gain, however, report a relatively small amount over a long period. Duloxetine’s effect on body size over 52 weeks is only averaging about an increase of 1.1 kilograms (about 2.5 lb). Therefore body mass increase associated with the use of Duloxetine is typically gradual and modest.

A study in 2006 showed that people who used Duloxetine showed only a modest increase in body mass after long-term use, but this association was inconsistent and tenacious at best. Another study that compared the incidence of body size increase among users of different antidepressants found a significantly weaker relationship between Cymbalta and weight gain when compared to other antidepressants used in the treatment of depression, anxiety, or chronic neuropathic pain.

Cymbalta Weight Loss

A study published in Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment suggested a relationship between serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors used in the treatment of depression, anxiety, and chronic pain like Cymbalta and weight loss due to decreased appetite. For instance, in a placebo-controlled study, duloxetine-treated patients had a mean body mass loss of only half a kilogram. It means that Duloxetine does cause a loss in body mass, though low. Another study supported the theory that the use of Duloxetine on individuals with a major depressive disorder or anxiety disorder may cause short-term body size reduction. Participants in the study noticed an initial reduction in size until the fourth week after they started taking the drug, with the amount of body mass lost is proportional to the initial BMI of the individual. It was then followed by a gradual increase in size by the sixth week of using the antidepressant.

Possible Reasons for Weight Changes on Cymbalta

Although the use of the serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) Duloxetine has been associated with changes in size in people who are placed on the antidepressant, this change is usually significantly less than other types of antidepressants.

It has been suggested that the relationship between Cymbalta and weight loss may be due to a reduction in appetite most people notice when they start taking the medication. Some people also link this to nausea and vomiting, which are some of the possible adverse health effects of the drug. However, these changes are temporary and gradually fade as the body adapts to the medication leading to a gradual return to their normal feeding habits.

The long-term body mass gain associated with the use of Duloxetine may be explained by the effect of the drug on serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is closely associated with mood, as well as appetite control. Though the relationship between serotonin and appetite modulation is complicated, evidence has shown that changes in serotonin levels have been associated with an increased craving for high-density food and delayed satiety.

It is important to note that all the above possible explanations are theoretical, and each user’s experience with the medication is unique. The question “Does Cymbalta make you gain weight?” is very individualized and depends on several factors. Some people may gain weight, others may lose weight, while some notice no changes at all.

How To Prevent Weight Gain Or Loss On Cymbalta?

Duloxetine’s adverse health effects on body mass can be mitigated as long as the patient is willing and ready to keep track of everyday habits.

Duloxetine weight changes, for instance, can be prevented by simply maintaining active daily routines and eating a healthy meal without specific exercises and diets. There are certain steps that one can take to stop weight changes while on Duloxetine.

The General Advice on How to Keep One’s Body Size in Normal Condition Is as Follows:

• Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. Decrease fatty foods in a diet. In addition, it is better to avoid too much sodium. On the contrary, a diet should include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables that contain a good amount of potassium, such as bananas, spinach, and avocados.
• Get quality sleep. Good night sleep is crucial because it allows the body to rest. Cymbalta weight loss can be a result of increased metabolism and consequent chronic tiredness. Quality sleep can help cancel out this effect a bit.
• Daily breakfast. Research has shown that breakfast eaters typically have healthier habits, which allows them to keep a stable size without significant fluctuations.
• Stay active. It is critical not to stop physical activity once a patient has started taking the drug. It works in both cases – Cymbalta weight gain and loss. However, if one puts on a few pounds, it is especially effective by burning the extra calories.
• Keep track of body mass. Those taking antidepressants like Duloxetine should regularly weigh themselves to react to the slightest changes promptly. It is especially referred to those who are prone to obesity.
• Switch to an alternative medication. Consult a doctor for other similar medicines that would be best suited to the condition, particularly if Duloxetine is significantly affecting the body mass. For example, Effexor vs. Cymbalta comparison suggests that some patients with a major depressive disorder may benefit more from Effexor.
• Take the correct dosage. Always take the prescribed dosage as directed by a doctor. It helps determine how long it takes for Cymbalta to get out of the system and further actions to prevent any changes in size after stopping the drug.

Stay Informed

Duloxetine does cause weight loss or gain: it depends on many factors. However, such effects occur only after long-term use of the drug. Hopefully, these adverse health effects can be prevented. The sooner proper actions are undertaken, the fewer body mass changes one will experience. Still, patients should always consult a doctor if Duloxetine causes unexpected weight loss or gain. Seeking professional help is important in case of medication abuse as drug rehabs can guide patients in the right direction for a fast and long-standing recovery. Also, a doctor can advise a treatment option based on the history of the disease and drug use.

Page Sources

1. Wise, T. N., Perahia, D. G., Pangallo, B. A., Losin, W. G., & Wiltse, C. G. (2006). Effects of the antidepressant duloxetine on body weight: analyses of 10 clinical studies. Primary care companion to the Journal of clinical psychiatry, 8(5), 269–278. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1764530/
2. O'Neil, C. E., Nicklas, T. A., & Fulgoni, V. L., 3rd (2014). Nutrient intake, diet quality, and weight/adiposity parameters in breakfast patterns compared with no breakfast in adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001-2008. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 114(12 Suppl), S27–S43. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25458992
3. Goldstein D. J. (2007). Duloxetine in the treatment of major depressive disorder. Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment, 3(2), 193–209. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2654630/
4. Blumenthal, S. R., Castro, V. M., Clements, C. C., Rosenfield, H. R., Murphy, S. N., Fava, M., Weilburg, J. B., Erb, J. L., Churchill, S. E., Kohane, I. S., Smoller, J. W., & Perlis, R. H. (2014). An electronic health records study of long-term weight gain following antidepressant use. JAMA psychiatry, 71(8), 889–896. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24898363/
5. Gaynor, P., McCarberg, B., Zheng, W., Shoemaker, S., & Duenas, H. (2011). Weight change with long-term duloxetine use in chronic painful conditions: an analysis of 16 clinical studies. International journal of clinical practice, 65(3), 341–349. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21314871/
6. Chien-Han Lai, MD. (2010). Observational Study of the Impact of Short-Term Duloxetine Treatment on Body Weight in Patients With Major Depressive Disorder: A Taiwanese Perspective. Primary Care Companion to The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2882807/
7. Lee, S. H., Paz-Filho, G., Mastronardi, C., Licinio, J., & Wong, M. L. (2016). Is increased antidepressant exposure a contributory factor to the obesity pandemic?. Translational psychiatry, 6(3), e759.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26978741/
8. Gafoor, R., Booth, H. P., & Gulliford, M. C. (2018). Antidepressant utilisation and incidence of weight gain during 10 years' follow-up: population-based cohort study. BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 361, k1951. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5964332/
9. Blundell, J.E., Halford, J.C. Serotonin and Appetite Regulation. Mol Diag Ther 9, 473–495 (1998). https://doi.org/10.2165/00023210-199809060-00005