Slow Metabolism & Depression
There are many patients with slow metabolisms who are treated for depression. If you are wary about the side effects of some antidepressants that can cause weight gain, there are specific medications you can talk to your psychiatrist about that actually aid in weight loss, as well as others that may incur weight gain.
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SSRIs
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Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, are antidepressants that help balance the chemicals norepinephrine and serotonin in the brain. Of all of the antidepressant drug categories, SSRIs do not usually cause weight gain in patients, particularly when taken on a short-term basis.
Prozac
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One of the more common SSRIs prescribed by psychiatrists to treat depression is Prozac, or fluoxetine; patients who suffer from panic disorder, anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) might also take this drug. Among the side effects of Prozac are drowsiness and vomiting, as well as possible weight loss.
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Effexor
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Effexor, or venlafaxine, is an SSNRI, or selective serotonin and norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitor. Patients diagnosed with major depressive and panic disorders, as well as anxiety, are often given this drug, along with patients whose depression hasn't been improved by SSRIs. Despite the possibility that patients on Effexor might develop higher cholesterol levels, this medication can also cause decreased appetite and weight loss in some patients.
Bupropion
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Wellbutrin---also known by its generic name, buproprion---is similar to an SSRI but instead of affecting norepinephrine and serotonin in the brain, it balances dopamine. A side effect of this drug is appetite suppression, as oral fixations are lessened when taking bupropion. Bupropion hydrochloride is also marketed as Zyban, and is prescribed in this instance to help patients stop smoking.
Tricyclic Antidepressants
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This category of antidepressant medication should be avoided by patients who already have slow metabolisms. Drugs in this category---including amitriptyline, doxepin and imipramine---work by blocking histamine and alpha 1 receptors in the brain, leading to appetite stimulation. Tricyclic antidepressants may also slow your metabolic rate and cause carbohydrate cravings, leading to potential weight gain.
Remeron
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Remeron---known in its generic form as mirtazapine---is a tetracyclic antidepressant that can cause an increase in appetite, resulting in weight gain. Drowsiness is also a side effect, sometimes leading to a more sedentary lifestyle that can slow your metabolism.
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