Do Antidepressants Really Have an Impact on Weight Loss?

Do antidepressant treatments really have an impact on weight loss?

Most "normal" medications are known to have side effects, which range from almost non-existent all the way up to quite serious and even life threatening. These side effects, if serious enough, then have to be treated by even more drugs and procedures. Kind of a vicious cycle.

Antidepressants are no different, in the fact that they have one particular side effect, namely, weight loss. This is thought to be brought about by the appetite suppressant qualities of the antidepressant.it is not recommended, however, to take antidepressants to aid in weight loss

Patients who are taking antidepressants are likely to be on their medication for a long period of time, and the weight loss associated with their treatment is normally temporary and the weight normally returns to normal a short while after the antidepressants have stopped being taken.

One antidepressant treatment called Buproprion has been reported to have the effect of substantial weight loss over a 2 year period.

Although this side effect is seen by many to be a double whammy and two results for the price of one. The FDA has laid down strict regulations on how manufacturers advertise their drugs, however, that doesn't stop doctors prescribing a drug to treat a condition other than the one the drug is designed and promoted for... for example, Amphetamines are advertised for the treatment of depression but they are widely prescribed for the treatment for obesity. This of course can be very dangerous as these medications can have the potential for being very addictive.

Socially, the public are turning a blind eye to the possible dangerous consequences of this practice, with the view being that "I'm feeling a lot happier and losing weight at the same time". Why would they complain about that?

Weight loss meds should not be taken lightly, even if they have been prescribed according to FDA guidelines and only people who are at high medical risk due to obesity, should consider this route. Which is why more and more people are going down the natural, herbal or homeopathic route. At least that way, it's known what you are putting in your body.

After all remember in the 1950's when doctors prescribed cigarettes to combat stress. Yes. So do the millions of cancer patients around the world. Just think about whats going in your body. Obviously, we definitely need conventional drugs and treatments, but surely not all of them.