Can I Get My Metabolism Back After Stopping Lexapro and Prozac?

Lexapro and Prozac

Lexapro, the brand name for escitalopram, and Prozac, the brand name for fluoxetine, are in a class of medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Studies show that people taking these medications do tend to gain weight. Doctors don’t know exactly why that is, but researchers say SSRIs increase the availability of serotonin in your brain — a chemical messenger that plays a role in appetite and metabolism.

Stopping Safely

Some people stop taking medications such as Lexapro and Prozac because of weight gain and other side effects. It's crucial to follow your doctor’s advice for tapering off slowly to help your body adjust to the change. According to medical guidance, stopping suddenly can cause a number of unpleasant symptoms, including dizziness, headaches, sleep problems, and worsening depression.

You may find that the extra pounds come off during this tapering period. If not, getting your metabolism back will take a two-pronged approach.

Diet Tips for Increasing Metabolism

The first prong is how and what you eat.

Your body needs a certain amount of calories just to exist. That’s why severely restricting your food intake can backfire when it comes to losing weight. If you don’t get enough calories at regular intervals, your metabolism slows down to try to hold on to your energy, according to Cleveland Clinic.

Ask your doctor how many calories you should have in a day, and divide that into several small meals and snacks spaced out so your body has a steady fuel supply.

All calories aren’t equal, though. Some foods take more energy to digest and process, which raises your metabolism. To boost your metabolism, Harvard Health Publishing suggests you try:

• Lean protein like fish, chicken, beans, nuts, and low-fat dairy products
• Whole grains
• Fruits and vegetables

Caffeine also increases your metabolic rate, while being dehydrated can lower it, according to Cleveland Clinic.

Exercise Tips for Increasing Metabolism

The second prong is physical activity.

Muscle tissue burns more calories than fat, even when you’re resting, according to Harvard Health Publishing. So you can rev up your metabolism by increasing your muscle mass; strength training can help with that. Try to incorporate weights or resistance workouts like Pilates into your exercise routine two or three times a week.

Exercise doesn’t just benefit you while you’re doing it. According to Cleveland Clinic, your body continues to burn calories at a higher rate well after your workout is over. The effect is highest with higher-intensity exercise, like interval training and weightlifting.

Other Strategies

An often overlooked aspect to both good mental health and a healthy weight is good-quality sleep. According to Stanford Lifestyle Medicine, sleep deprivation can affect the levels of hormones that control hunger and lower your metabolism. Aim for at least seven hours a night.

If you're discontinuing Lexapro or Prozac and have questions and concerns about your metabolism, weight, appetite, or any other medication side effects or results, see what your doctor recommends. A registered dietitian can also help you come up with a healthy eating plan to boost your metabolism.

The Takeaway

• Lexapro and Prozac can cause you to gain weight, possibly by affecting levels of serotonin, a brain chemical that influences metabolism.
• To boost your metabolism, eat regular meals with plenty of lean protein and fiber-rich foods that take a lot of energy to digest.
• Increasing your muscle mass through strength and resistance training will raise your metabolism.
• Sleep deprivation can lower your metabolism, so aim for at least seven hours of good-quality sleep every night.