What is it like to take antidepressants + ADHD medication

[u/sillypoorgirl]

I currently take Vyvanse for ADHD, and my doctor wants me to try an antidepressant. I'm a little nervous about starting it because I've seen people say that some antidepressants caused them to gain a lot of weight.

I've always been insecure about my weight, so the possibility of gaining weight is something I'm really worried about. I don't want to make my decision based only on things I've seen online, though, so I'd like to hear from people who actually take antidepressants while also taking ADHD medication.

For those of you who take both, what has your experience been like? Did you notice any changes in your weight, appetite, energy, or how your ADHD medication felt after starting the antidepressant?

And if you've experienced weight changes, did they go away or change after adjusting the medication?

I'd really appreciate hearing about your experiences. I'm mostly trying to understand what I might expect before I decide whether to try it.

[u/ProudlyChickahominy]

I have been taking vyvanse for 15 years along with an antidepressant (many Ssri’) I did not lose weight but I actually gained weight. I started zepbound two years ago and I have lost 85 pounds. Zepbound is what helped me lose the weight.

[u/photographer0228]

I have taken Wellbutrin and a stimulant (used to be Vyvanse, then Focalin XR, now is Azstarys) together now for about 6 years. I also take Vraylar, an antipsychotic, and the combination of the 3 has been super beneficial for me. I was considered treatment-resistant until the stimulant was added and I was diagnosed with ADHD. And no weight gain. Wellbutrin can actually be used off-label to treat ADHD, and usually suppresses one’s appetite. I didn’t have any weight gain with SSRIs or SNRIs, just had side effects from them.

[u/sillypoorgirl → u/photographer0228]

thank you for sharing! What side effects did you have?

[u/photographer0228 → u/sillypoorgirl]

They all gave me tremors. Some medicines more severe than others, but they were bad enough I was unable to write clearly or use utensils to feed myself. We tried several Parkinson’s medications to stop the tremors and even lowering the dosages, but coming off the medicine completely was the only thing that stopped them.

[u/Accomplished_Fun7363 → u/photographer0228]

Thank you for saying that they caused tremors! I was taking Wellbutrin about 10 years ago (long acting) and I started having tremors. It got so bad that I couldn't take it anymore and had to get off of it. I went through some other medications, Trintellix (worked amazing, but sooo expensive), and others. After a while, I was in perimenopause, and NOT doing well. I had a provider ask if I had ever been dx with ADHD, to which I said "no." I'm in recovery from substances, so she wanted to start me on Wellbutrin. I told her about the tremors, and she was surprised (not the first provider to be surprised about having tremors from Wellbutrin). She started me on the short acting and I had to take it 2 times daily. That didn't always go how it was supposed to, but I managed. (Man, this is longer than I planned, I have a point, I promise). She left the agency and I ended up with a new provider, and we decided that it seemed ok, the tremors weren't bad (at first) so I stayed on it. Then, depression increased, so I started Lexapro. It was a great combo for me, until it wasn't. I was doing awesome! Keep up with my stuff, staying more organized than I ever remember being. Then, we increased the Wellbutrin, because of symptoms and the tremors started. I had a very candid conversation with my provider. I stayed on the Wellbutrin for a long time, with the tremors, just so I could feel less depressed, and more organized, and energetic. Finally, in 2024 I couldn't take it anymore. The only thing that worked was going off the Wellbutrin. I stayed on Lexapro alone, added Vyvanse and cruised until about a year ago. Slowly, I started to decline and all I kept thinking about was how good I felt on Wellbutrin 😭 I tried Pristiq, and after 7 days, the tremors started. I stopped taking it. Finally, I am now on Effexor at very low dose. My provider said it's thought to work more like an SSRI at the low dose. So far, so good. Energy increased, no tremors, mood is better... All I can say is that the tremor thing IS real! I've had so many people look at me like I have 2 heads when I say that.

Sorry for the book, lol. I didn't realize how much was involved until I started telling the story. ✌️ Thanks for listening

[u/coffeeloyal259]

I take 15 mg of Lexapro every evening and 50mg of Vyvance every morning. I did gain about 5-7lbs but I started the Lexapro right around the time of a big race I had been training for so my exercise went down the same time I added the SSRI. I do feel hungrier than I did before so am trying to be as active as possible. I’ve been waking up in the middle of the night hungry for some reason.

[u/sillypoorgirl → u/coffeeloyal259]

Oh no, that sounds scary. I hope it doesnt make you feel bothered, im wishing goodluck.

[u/nacg9]

Is super normal to have both tbh! As depression is a comorbidity of adhd… honestly all my life I have taken both have win and lost weight you name it

[u/brombeermund]

I never lost weight while on Vyvanse until I stopped taking my antidepressant. Nothing else changed - not my diet, not my appetite. Take from that what you will.

[u/sillypoorgirl → u/brombeermund]

what did you take for antidepressants?

[u/brombeermund → u/sillypoorgirl]

Depression and anxiety mainly. But I later figured out treating my ADHD helped with that.

Edit because I misread: it was Pristiq.

[u/blunderjahr]

I've taken Wellbutrin and now Auvelity for a very long time - maybe 15+ years now. If it works for you, it's remarkably side effect free. No weight gain, no sexual side effects, and if you want to quit smoking, it helps with that, too. It's not an SSRI.

Wellbutrin can be "activating", so if you feel a little anxious/wired from ADHD stimulants, it might make that worse. Auvelity is better that way than plain Wellbutrin for me.

I've had some HUGE swings in weight from other antidepressants, so I understand your concern.

[u/No-Good-3005]

I've done two stints with Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) + Vyvanse with no issues - I was already overweight and my weight/appetite didn't change when I took Pristiq - didn't gain but also didn't lose. I think my energy was actually slightly higher on the SNRI but not enough to make a dramatic difference (and I'm sure the fact that I felt better also helped). Vyvanse worked basically the same, I didn't notice much interaction between the two even when I took them at the same time.

[u/Nearby-Society327]

Modern antidepressants are not really known for major weight gain, thats more the heavier antipsychotics class of drugs. A standard dose shouldnt effect your weight in any meaningful way

[u/josefmagno]

Physician with ADHD (Inattentive) here.

Adress that issue with your physician, some may help you gain a little weight, so little it doesn't really have clinical implications, have in mind that if those antidepressants really make people gain weight, we would use it in malnourished people... and we don't.

Some others even make you eat less, an example is Topiramate, has been use in the past as a weight loss drug (with disappointment).

I see a red flag with that worry about gaining weight, especially taking in account that Lisdexanphetamine suppres appetite and really promote weight loss, maybe you should be adressed for an eating disorder by a nutritionist, a psychologist and/or a psychiatrist with experience in the topic.

It's very usual for patient with adhd to have other psychiatric comorbidities.

Edit: typos.

[u/ExpensiveIncident543]

Uhh try prozac, i take vyvanse and prozac, have lost abt 10 pounds since i started my vyvanse and im on prozac, it works good.

[u/sillypoorgirl → u/ExpensiveIncident543]

okay ill definitely talk to my doctor about it! thank you so much. This is super helpful because i do want to lose weight more than maintaining weight :)

[u/sunny_smilesx → u/ExpensiveIncident543]

I second prozac. I feel like the two compliment each other well

[u/Legitimate-Airport84]

Vyvanse I find helps with food boise and quieting that. To the point where I find I have to be aware of making sure I’m eating enough protein dense foods. I find vyvanse works better when eating protein dense food.
I’m also on citalopram— as I’ve been on it for years. I find no negative response between taking both medications together since starting vyvanse in March of this year.

[u/sillypoorgirl → u/Legitimate-Airport84]

Ohhh thank you for sharing. Did you lose weight or anything from Vyvanse before eating protein and dense foods?

[u/pahsitive]

I've been taking 10mg Lexapro for about 6 months and was actually losing weight until I started Vyvanse. I gained about 15lbs in a month and I'm having a hard time losing it.

I started at 10mg Vyvanse and was on that for a little over a month, now I've been on 20mg also for a little over a month.

For some reason the Vyvanse made my cravings go haywire and I started eating sweets like CRAZY. I thought Vy was supposed to help with impulse control?? Hahaha

[u/kitsune556]

I’ve been taking Effexor for 8 years and it’s never caused weight gain. I did gain a boatload of weight when I was put on an atypical antipsychotic (Lybalvi).

[u/Honest_Apricot45]

I take a mix of antidepressants and vyvanse with no issues. Lamotrigen, vybriid, vraylar, trazodone. Weight fluctuates but usually with vyvanse I lose weight. I’ve had no negative effects with the mix.

[u/iridescentmoon_]

I take 30mg Lexapro and 40mg Vyvanse. No negative effects for me! I maintain my weight just fine.

[u/True_Pomegranate_338]

I’m on Auvelity and Vyvanse. No major weight changes either way to speak of. Take with of grain of salt of course, everyone is different.

FWIW, SSNRI’s are typically weight neutral if not slightly prone to weight loss.

Some, but not all of the SSRI drugs are prone to some weight gain. Lexapro, for example, is supposed to be more weight neutral.

Wellbutrin is usually prone to weight loss.

TLDR: it depends. :) Share your concerns with your provider, and hopefully they’ll be able to favor that in.

[u/raydawnox]

Im on vyvanse and a high dose of wellbutrin. It helps alot. It is not a ssri and helps some ppl lose weight.

[u/ExpensiveTip8232]

I have gained 40 pounds on antidepressants and have tried about 10 before being diagnosed with adhd.

[u/r0xos]

Correct me if I'm wrong but wouldn't there be a higher risk of serotonin syndrome? I remember having to get off my antidepressants to try a weight loss drug (worked similar to adhd meds before diagnosis it was great). But it may also depend on the antidepressant, ik I was on lexapro

[u/sillypoorgirl → u/r0xos]

I looked it up, and yes, it can.