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Lexapro and Weight Loss

Weight loss is an infrequent side effect of Lexapro® (escitalopram oxalate), meaning that it occurs in less than 1 percent of people taking the drug (although the exact percentage was not reported). In previous clinical studies, weight loss occurred just as frequently in people who were not taking Lexapro; therefore, it is difficult to determine whether weight loss was actually because of the medication itself, a medical condition, a change in eating habits or physical activity, a combination of these factors, or simply something else.
 
If you are taking and weight loss becomes a problem, talk with your healthcare provider. He or she can give you suggestions for dealing with any weight loss. If the weight loss continues, he or she may recommend adjusting the Lexapro dosage or switching to another medicine.
 
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;