As a mental health professional with expertise in pharmacology, I can provide you with information on antidepressants and their potential for causing weight gain. It's important to note that individual responses to medications can vary greatly, and what might be true for one person may not hold true for another. However, some classes of antidepressants are known to have a lower risk of causing weight gain compared to others.

Bupropion (Wellbutrin) is often cited as an antidepressant that is less likely to cause weight gain. In fact, it may even help some people lose weight due to its stimulant-like effects. Bupropion works by affecting the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, which can increase energy levels and suppress appetite.

Venlafaxine (Effexor) is another antidepressant that is considered to have a lower risk of weight gain. It is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) and works by increasing the levels of these neurotransmitters in the brain, which can help improve mood without significantly affecting appetite.

Atypical antidepressants like Mirtazapine (Remeron) and Trazodone (Desyrel) are known to have sedating effects and can sometimes cause weight gain in some individuals, but they are also used off-label for their sleep-promoting properties, which can be beneficial for people with insomnia related to depression.

It's crucial to discuss with a healthcare provider before starting any medication, as they can provide personalized advice based on medical history, current health status, and the severity of depression.

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They used the antidepressant citalopram (Celexa) as the control. The worst offenders in regards to weight gain were mirtazapine (Remeron) and paroxetine hydrochloride (Paxil). The drugs with the lowest the rate of weight gain were bupropion (Wellbutrin), amitriptyline (Elavil), and nortriptyline (Pamelor).read more >>