In this blog post, we are going to answer the question, “Can Celexa cause loss of appetite?”. Celexa is an antidepressant which is used to treat a variety of mental health conditions.

This antidepressant is associated with a number of side effects, one of which may include appetite changes. Stick with us if you suffer from celexa induced loss of appetite.

Can Celexa cause loss of appetite?

Yes, celexa can cause loss of appetite in some individuals. It is, in fact, commonly reported and this side effect is associated with the possible weight loss with celexa.

However, this side effect can vary from person to person, as some people complain of an increase in their appetite which makes them gain weight. It is impossible to predict how your body will react to the presence of an antidepressant.

All meds produce variable side effects in different individuals. Experts suggest that the way your body responds when it is exposed to a med plays a huge role in determining the kind of side effects that med will produce in you.

Make sure you keep updating your healthcare provider about your side effects and take your celexa properly in order to gain the maximum therapeutic response from this antidepressant.

What does research suggest?

Several research studies have monitored the weight loss effects of some antidepressants, including celexa. It has been known for decades now that antidepressants, especially selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), cause weight gain.

When researchers observed weight loss, they wanted to learn what made these antidepressants cause these effects. After a few single-blinded and double-blinded trials, researchers observed that the key reason behind weight loss was found to be loss of appetite.

Some people completely lose the desire to eat the food they once enjoyed. For some people, it was so severe that they couldn’t even stand the smell of food. It’s a known phenomenon that a calorie deficit leads to weight loss.

In the same study, researchers observed that some people actually gained weight after taking celexa, up to a few pounds. Experts concluded that it totally depends on how your body reacts to it. Every human body is different.

Just like every human being reacts differently to different situations, similarly every human body reacts differently when they are exposed to medications.

One theory suggests that SSRIs are designed to boost the levels of serotonin and allow people to feel a rewarding sensation, thus increasing mood and making people feel better.

The problem with that is, it satiates people, as a result of which they no longer feel like doing things which naturally make them feel rewarded, like eating or engaging in sexual activities. Hence, SSRIs are associated with side effects like loss of appetite, loss of libido etc.

No theory can come up with an explanation for all possible side effects. Human body plays a major role in deciding those side effects, and as you know, the rest is covered by the drug itself.

What are the tips to boost your appetite naturally?

Following are a few natural ways to increase your appetite:

Take your celexa at night

Several studies suggest that the side effects associated with antidepressants have a close relationship with the timing at which you take these meds.

If your celexa makes you lose your appetite or make your favourite foods undesirable for you, take it at night or at bedtime when you’re done with all your meals of the day. This way the drug will reach its maximum concentration when you’ll be asleep.

In the morning when you’ll wake up, the concentration will be a little less. You might not be able to completely avoid this side effect, but the intensity will be much reduced. This way it’ll be easier for you to eat and avoid losing weight and energy.

Eat what you love

It’s always a pleasure to eat foods you love. Try sticking to them, for a while. This will make you want to eat food and you will enjoy it as well. Opt for meal planning so you don’t have to think what to eat and this way you can add all your favourite meals in your customised plan.

Add some herbs and spices to your meals

Herbs and spices are known to add flavour in your meals. Try to incorporate these in your food so you won’t find it bland. If you like a little heat, you can spice up your food to enjoy it as much as you can.

When you love the taste, you tend to eat more. Carminative herbs and spices are known to help reduce bloating and flatulence. They also improve your appetite.

Stay active

When you workout, you burn calories. The more you burn, the more your body asks you to replenish those calories. It increases your appetite. However, it takes several days to increase your appetite through exercise. You can’t make that happen overnight.

Drink less with meals

When you drink beverages along with your meal, they tend to fill up your stomach faster. Infact, studies have shown that consuming water before meals can fill you up and make you eat less, which helps you lose weight.

Consume liquid calories

If you’re going through one of your anorexia episodes and do not even want to look at food, try liquid calories. You can try milkshakes, smoothies, protein shakes, yoghurt etc, instead of whole foods. This is just a way to drink your calories, if you don’t wish to eat them.

Don’t skip breakfast

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It gives you a head-start. Never skip breakfast. A study shows that skipping breakfast can lead you to eat less throughout the day, which is the opposite of what you want. This way you will end up consuming much less amount of calories.

Try eating in small proportions

If you suffer from celexa induced loss of appetite, it’s best to eat small, more frequent meals as you might find it difficult to convince yourself for whole large meals.

Start with nutritious breakfast followed by a small healthy snack after an hour or two, usually a banana or any other fruit you may like. You can also try eating a small portion of your favourite vegetables like baby carrots or cucumber etc.

Move forward to have a small portion of lunch, which should contain good sources of protein. You can also try smoothie in the evening, followed by light dinner. This way you can consume calories without filling yourself up.

What are the additional side effects of celexa?

Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhoea or Constipation
Acid reflux or heartburn
Abdominal pain
Weight gain or loss
Excessive sweating or night sweating (nocturnal/night hyperhidrosis)
Frequent urination
Polydipsia or excessive thirst
Tremors
Muscle twitching and pain
Drowsiness
Dizziness
Excessive tiredness or fatigue
Insomnia or inability to fall asleep
Xerostomia or dry mouth
Dysmenorrhea or heavy periods
Flu like symptoms including irritation in eyes and runny nose
Loss of libido in both male and females. Males may suffer from inability to ejaculate, while females may suffer from inability to have an orgasm.

Celexa (Citalopram) is also associated with some serious side effects, which may include:

Allergic reaction associated with symptoms like redness of skin, itching, burning sensation, blisters, blue-purple patches, tightness of chest, wheezing, difficulty in breathing, hoarseness etc.
Auditory or visual hallucinations
Nose bleeds
Severe headache
Arrhythmia or abnormal heartbeats
Impaired memory and concentration
Convulsions
Swelling or tenderness in different parts of the body.

When to call your doctor

Immediately inform your healthcare provider if:

You’re unable to eat anything. Even if you do, you end up throwing it all up.
You experience unexplained weight loss
You notice changes in your normal physiological functions like delayed periods in women.
You experience nausea or diarrhoea

Prolonged loss of appetite could be a serious side effect. Reduced amount of calorie intake can make you malnourished and cause energy deprivation. This reduced amount of energy can have a major impact on your metabolic functions.

Conclusion

In this blog post, we have discussed celexa induced loss of appetite. Losing your appetite makes you consume much less calories than you should. In severe cases, it makes your body malnourished.

We have also discussed some natural ways to boost your appetite. See what suits you best and try that out. Eating well is the key to making your body healthy. We go through a lot of fights throughout the day and our body is our shield. It’s best to keep your shield strong and healthy.

Always make sure you take your med properly and as directed by your healthcare professional. Stopping celexa abruptly, just to get rid of side effects, does more harm than good. If celexa doesn’t suit you and it’s not the right choice of antidepressant for you, your doctor will taper it off.

FAQs: Celexa loss of appetite

Can citalopram make you lose your appetite?

Yes, citalopram can cause loss of appetite in some individuals. It is, in fact, commonly reported and this side effect is associated with the possible weight loss with citalopram.

Does Celexa change your appetite?

Yes, celexa can change your appetite. Antidepressants increase the amount of serotonin, the neurotransmitter that regulates anxiety and mood while also controlling your appetite. In some cases, this increased amount of serotonin decreases your appetite, while in others, it generates cravings for high-carb foods like bread, pasta and desserts.

Will Celexa cause weight loss?

Celexa will cause weight loss if it makes you lose your appetite and you end up consuming much less calories than you should. However, it may make you eat more and consume way more calories than you’re supposed to. This results in weight gain.

It is impossible to predict how your body will react to the presence of an antidepressant. All meds produce variable side effects in different individuals. Experts suggest that the way your body responds when it is exposed to a med plays a huge role in determining the kind of side effects that med will produce in you.

What is the most common side effect of Celexa?

Common side effects of celexa include:

Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhoea or Constipation
Acid reflux or heartburn
Abdominal pain
Weight gain or loss
Excessive sweating or night sweating (nocturnal/night hyperhidrosis)
Frequent urination
Polydipsia or excessive thirst
Tremors
Muscle twitching and pain
Drowsiness
Dizziness
Loss of appetite

What should you avoid when taking citalopram?

Monoaminoxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
Pimozide
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)
Antipsychotics
Controlled substances
Alcohol

Does Celexa increase appetite?

In some people, celexa does increase appetite and sugar cravings. This results in weight gain. There are a few things you can do to manage your weight:

Do not give in to emotional eating.
Add fruits, vegies, whole grains, fibres and lean protein in your diet.
Focus on exercise, especially yoga. Your brain releases happy chemicals in your body when you workout.
Stay hydrated.
Do not skip meals, especially breakfast.
Sleep for at least 8 hours.

References

R J Milne et al. Drugs. (1991) – Citalopram. A review of its pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties, and therapeutic potential in depressive illness https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1711447/
Melissa C Daniels et al. Nutr Rev. (2010) – Impact of water intake on energy intake and weight status: a systematic review https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20796216/
David J Clayton et al. Proc Nutr Soc. (2016) – The effect of breakfast on appetite regulation, energy balance and exercise performance https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26653842/
Bagher Larijani et al. Iran Red Crescent Med J. (2016) – Prevention and Treatment of Flatulence From a Traditional Persian Medicine Perspective https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27275398/
John E Blundell et al. Dis Model Mech. (2012) – Role of resting metabolic rate and energy expenditure in hunger and appetite control: a new formulation https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22915022/
Side effects – Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies-medicine-treatments/medicines-and-psychiatry/ssri-antidepressants/side-effects/

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Can Celexa cause loss of appetite? (5+ Helpful tips)