Cymbalta weight loss stories

Does Cymbalta cause weight loss?

Cymbalta can make some people lose weight, but it is not a common side effect – or as common as Cymbalta-induced weight gain. Individual responses to medication can vary and weight loss may occur in some people taking Cymbalta.

It is important for patients to discuss any concerns about weight changes with their healthcare provider.

What have people experienced so far?

Weight loss is reported by a number of people taking Cymbalta and those who have discontinued the medication. A 57-year-old Cymbalta user stated:

“I started taking Cymbalta a year ago when I was diagnosed with depression. The med has been a good one for me. I did not suffer from a lot of early side effects that I hear people talk about. Although one side effect did disturb me a little.”

The user continued:

“I noticed that Cymbalta started to curb my appetite. I would just feel full after consuming half the food on my plate. At first, I thought I’m just not in the mood to eat but it continued. It made me lose over 20 lbs in the course of 6 months.” 

A 36-year-old Jonathan stated:

“Cymbalta is a good antidepressant overall, but I struggled with my weight a little while I was taking it. I first started to lose weight pretty fast and it made me lethargic. I used to find even the simplest of tasks difficult to do and I had no energy.” 

Jonathan continued:

“Soon my weight loss slowed down a little but I continued to lose a small amount of weight every week. They say it doesn’t happen with everyone but it was the most prominent side effect in my case.”

What does research suggest?

A lot of research studies have been conducted to monitor the effects of this antidepressant on your weight. Some studies have indicated that Cymbalta can cause loss of appetite as a side effect in about 7% of the people taking this antidepressant (1). 

This side effect is the biggest reason why people lose weight. It is a common fact that when your appetite gets curbed or you stop eating as much as you should, you begin to lose weight. That’s what Cymbalta does to some people. 

However, this effect was only observed during the early course of the treatment and that too on lower doses. Higher doses were not associated with weight loss. 

In fact, experts have concluded, after years and years of research and clinical trials, that Cymbalta causes weight gain as a side effect when it is used for a longer period of time (2). 

Who is more likely to lose weight on Cymbalta? 

Cymbalta is an antidepressant in nature and the basic purpose of this drug is to counteract the symptoms associated with depression. This is exactly why people who binge eat during an episode of depression are more likely to lose weight when their depression starts to fade away. 

Similarly, people who are obese or who suffer from an eating disorder can also lose a significant amount of weight after being treated with Cymbalta. 

However, the exact opposite happens in some cases. People who lose their appetite as a symptom of depression begin to eat properly when Cymbalta helps them with their depression. 

The drug can also boost appetite in some people as a side effect and they may begin to eat more than their body’s requirements. This can cause weight gain in such people. 

Experts have stated that the symptoms associated with your mental health condition can make a huge difference and how your body reacts when it is exposed to this antidepressant. 

It is impossible to predict who will gain weight and who will end up losing it. Make sure you monitor your side effects properly and inform your doctor if you begin to observe unexplained weight loss or gain. 

What to do if Cymbalta causes unexplained weight loss? 

The most important thing to do is to talk to your healthcare provider if you think Cymbalta is making you lose a significant amount of weight. Weight loss or gain is common with antidepressants, but it is not normal to lose or gain a significant amount of weight in a short span of time. 

Your healthcare provider will determine the safety and efficacy of Cymbalta for the treatment and management of your mental health condition and if the drug should be continued in your case. 

If you continue to lose weight after some interventions, you may need to discontinue using Cymbalta. This antidepressant may not be a good choice of drug for you and your doctor may switch you to another antidepressant. 

However, you should never stop using Cymbalta or any antidepressant without your doctor’s approval. Antidepressants generally create tolerance in your body and if you take them away quickly, your brain may start to malfunction. 

This can subject you to a number of disturbing symptoms associated with Cymbalta withdrawal syndrome. 

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