Does Buspirone cause weight gain? 

Buspirone may or may not make you gain weight. The drug has caused weight loss in some people as well. Buspirone-related weight changes in your body totally depend on how your body reacts to this medication and what symptoms your mental health condition causes in you. 

Why does Buspirone cause weight gain?

Several research studies have indicated that Buspirone can interfere with your body’s metabolism. It may slow it down in some people and they may burn fewer calories than what they usually burn. 

This means that more calories are stored in your system. Over time, this effect can make you gain weight. Some people gain a negligible amount of weight that they don’t even notice. However, some unfortunate ones gain a hefty amount of weight while being treated with Buspirone. 

Who is more likely to gain weight on Buspirone? 

There are some people who may end up gaining more weight on Buspirone as compared to others. The people who are most likely to gain weight on this antidepressant are those who tend to misuse it. Every human body has a certain limit to which it can bear foreign objects. 

Medications are also foreign objects for our body and it can bear only the minimum amount of such meds. When people start taking a higher amount of dose than the prescribed one, that’s when things start to get difficult for them. 

Similarly, studies have shown that people who take a higher dose of Buspirone without their doctor’s approval are more likely to gain weight as a side effect. Several surveys have also revealed that Buspirone can increase appetite. 

When you begin to eat more than your body’s requirements, you obviously start to put on weight. This effect was seen more commonly in people who suffer from an eating disorder. 

So if your depression or any other mental health illness curbed your appetite, Buspirone can help you counteract this effect and can help boost your hunger. 

What to do if Buspirone makes you gain weight? 

There are a few things you can do if you’re gaining weight while being treated with Buspirone. These include:

Consult your doctor

If Buspirone makes you gain weight, the first thing you should do is talk to your healthcare provider. Your doctor will determine how fast your weight gain is and if you should continue to use Buspirone at the same dose you’re taking right now. 

If you’re gaining a hefty amount of weight on this medication somehow, your doctor might switch you to another antidepressant. Make sure that you don’t stop taking this medication without your doctor’s approval. 

Remember to stay active 

You probably already know how important exercise is when it comes to losing weight, but exercise for the management of antidepressant-induced weight gain can do more wonders than you would think. 

This is because working out not just helps you to shed some pounds, but it can also release a huge number of happy chemicals or excitatory chemicals in your brain to help you with symptoms related to depression and several other mental health-related problems. 

Create a calorie deficit 

Creating a calorie deficit is another important technique that never fails to work. It’s always better to watch what you eat than to have poor eating habits. 

Steer clear of sugar and complex carbohydrates. Dieting does not necessarily mean completely stopping eating what you love. Dieting is portion control. You can eat literally everything, just in a minimal amount. 

Drink plenty of water 

Make sure you stay hydrated and drink plenty of water. Water can significantly help boost your energy levels. A research study showed that people who are dehydrated tend to be less productive. This is why you should always stay hydrated. 

References 

• Buspirone-induced weight gain (Pubmed, 2012)
• Buspirone (National Library of Medicine, NIH)