The benzodiazepine family of drugs is known for its ability to produce a calming effect on users. Xanax, also known as alprazolam, is a medication in the benzodiazepine class that is commonly used to treat anxiety and panic disorders and is one of the most common and well-known members of this drug family. So does Xanax cause weight loss or weight gain?

The answer to does Xanax cause weight gain or weight loss isn’t that cut and dry. Xanax can have a different effect on everyone who takes it based on dosage and frequency of use. Consistent use of the drug especially without the supervision of a doctor can cause both weight gain and weight loss depending on the individual.

When the word “weight” is mentioned in conjunction with prescription drugs, especially those used to treat anxiety or depression, most people assume that the drug will cause weight gain. In fact, one study found that as many as 71% of Americans believe that anti-anxiety medication leads to weight gain. Keep reading to learn more about whether or not Xanax will lead to weight gain or weight loss in your case.

Does Xanax cause Weight gain or weight loss?

Weight gain or weight loss is one of the most common side effects of taking Xanax. However, the specific effect on weight can vary from person to person, and some people may not experience any weight changes at all. In some cases, patients may see an increase in appetite and start eating more than they would normally. This could potentially lead to gaining a few pounds. On the other hand, some people may experience changes in their metabolism and start eating less after starting taking this medication. This could lead to gradual weight loss over time.

Weight changes are a potential side effect of Xanax. In general, Xanax is more likely to cause weight gain than weight loss. This is because the medication can increase appetite and cause cravings for high-calorie foods, which can lead to overeating and weight gain. Additionally, Xanax can cause fluid retention, which can also contribute to weight gain.

However, some people may experience weight loss as a side effect of Xanax. This may be due to the medication’s impact on the digestive system, which can cause nausea, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal symptoms that can lead to weight loss.

It’s important to note that weight changes are just one potential side effect of Xanax, and individuals should always consult with their healthcare provider if they have concerns about the medication’s impact on their weight or overall health.

The exact mechanism by which Xanax causes weight loss or weight gain is unknown, but it’s believed that there are several reasons for this change in weight:

1. Changes in hormones caused by Xanax could lead to a decrease or increase in appetite or a change in metabolism
2. The sedation caused by Xanax could reduce physical activity
3. Benzodiazepines can sometimes cause depression
4. Depression caused by Xanax might lead to changes in eating habits and physical activity
5. Certain medicines used with Xanax might also lead to changes in eating habits, such as antidepressants and some birth control pills
6. Digestive system effects such as nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting among others can cause weight changes.

Does Xanax Cause Weight Loss?

The results of multiple 8-week randomized controlled trials show that alprazolam ongoing use or abuse even at moderate dosage can cause a modest weight loss in some people. However, it should be noted that the effects vary from one subset of recipients to another with some losing weight while others gain weight with Xanax.

While weight loss is not a common side effect of Xanax, it is still important to discuss any concerns about weight changes with your healthcare provider, especially if they are significant or accompanied by other symptoms. Your healthcare provider can evaluate your symptoms and recommend appropriate treatments or adjustments to your medication regimen if necessary.

However, a review of trials involving long-term use suggests that benzodiazepine-related weight gain may be an unavoidable side effect. Xanax is not the only drug in the benzodiazepine family. Actually, Xanax is more likely to cause weight gain than weight loss. This is because Xanax can increase appetite and cause cravings for high-calorie foods, which can lead to overeating and weight gain. Additionally, Xanax can cause fluid retention, which can also contribute to weight gain.

While weight loss is not a common side effect of Xanax, it is still important to discuss any concerns about weight changes with your healthcare provider, especially if they are significant or accompanied by other symptoms. Your healthcare provider can evaluate your symptoms and recommend appropriate treatments or adjustments to your medication regimen if necessary.

Does Xanax Cause Weight Gain?

For some people taking Xanax for anxiety or depression, weight gain is a common side effect of the medication. This is attributed to appetite change; induction of food craving; body composition change; increased energy level; Xanax-induced edema/ water retention; Hormone changes (cortisol, glucocorticoid, and triiodothyronine- T3 ); and/or shift in metabolic rate. Despite the potential for weight gain associated with Xanax use, it’s unlikely to lead to clinically significant weight gain (characterized as 7% body weight).

Weight gain is a potential side effect of Xanax, although it does not happen to everyone who takes this medication. Xanax can increase appetite and cause cravings for high-calorie foods, which can lead to overeating and weight gain. Additionally, Xanax can cause fluid retention, which can also contribute to weight gain.

However, it’s important to note that weight gain is just one potential side effect of Xanax, and individuals may experience different side effects or no side effects at all. If you are taking Xanax and have concerns about weight gain or other side effects, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider. They can evaluate your symptoms and recommend appropriate treatments or adjustments to your medication regimen if necessary.

How to stop weight changes from Xanax

How to Stop the Weight Gain from Xanax

You can reduce the weight gain from Xanax by simultaneously participating in a formal weight management program that may include limiting portion sizes, exercising, eating more protein, talking to a dietitian, avoiding alcohol, getting enough sleep, and avoiding sugary foods and drinks.

You can also talk to your doctor about lowering your medication dosage, taking metformin 250 mg 3 times a day, or switching to a different medication.

People often worry about weight gain while taking Xanax, but it’s important to remember that weight gain is not a certainty. If you find yourself gaining weight while taking Xanax, there are some steps you can take to help prevent or stop the weight gain. It’s important to note that some of these tips might also be useful for those who are struggling with weight loss.

How to Stop the Weight Loss from Xanax

There are many people who have reported losing weight after beginning treatment with Xanax. The drug has been found to reduce appetite, which can lead to weight loss. For those individuals who have experienced weight loss while taking this medication, there are a few things you can do in order to stop the weight loss from Xanax:

• Eating regular healthy meals
• Remaining physically active
• Changing the dosage
• Talking to a dietician
• Taking plenty of water
• Choose nutrient-rich foods
• Take smoothies and shakes if you can
• Eat food very fast
• Add some toppings to the food such as cheese in your meals such as casseroles and scrambled eggs, and fat-free dried milk in soups and stews
• Have occasional treats but avoid too much sugar

How to lose weight when taking medication that causes weight gain

If you are taking Xanax and you’ve noticed an increase in weight that is making you unhappy or uncomfortable, know that there are a few things you can do to help prevent it from becoming a problem.

• Talk to your doctor about switching medications. It’s possible that the medication you’re taking may not be the best option for your case and could be causing weight gain. If you have tried this with no luck, talk to them about lowering your dosage. If possible, try cutting back by one pill each week until you find a dosage that is more comfortable for your body while still managing your anxiety. Keep track of this so that if any changes happen you can tell your doctor right away.
• Keep portion sizes reasonable. It’s important to stay aware of what size portions you should be eating at mealtime and stick to them as much as possible. You’ll want to cut down on how much food your plate has or stop using bowls for certain items like pasta sauce or soup so that it doesn’t overflow onto other foods on your plate. For example, if pasta is served with marinara sauce (which has lots of calories), order angel hair instead of spaghetti noodles so that the sauce will fit on top of the angel hair instead of spilling over onto other food items on the plate. Work out!
• Regular exercise not only boosts energy levels and mood, but it also helps burn calories due to increased heart rate and metabolism!
• Eat more protein,
• Talk to a dietitian,
• Avoid alcohol,
• Get enough sleep
• Don’t skip meals

How long does it take to lose weight after stopping medication?

It may take weeks or months depending on the changes made to your diet and exercise routine. The process of weight loss is a gradual one, as people need to change their habits to lose weight. This natural process can be sped up after stopping Xanax by changing your diet and exercising more often.

For many people, it may take weeks or months before they notice any changes in weight after stopping Xanax. It should be noted that the amount of time it takes for individuals to lose weight will vary depending on how much they have gained while taking the drug, how long they took it, how many times they took the medication per day, and what types of changes are made in terms of their diet and exercise routine.

Weight gain is not always inevitable when taking Xanax There are some people who experience weight loss rather than gains when taking Xanax. The best way to know for sure whether you will experience any effects from this drug is by discussing with a medical professional and watching for any signs that you may become overweight or underweight as a result of treatment.

How does Xanax affect appetite?

Xanax, also known as alprazolam, is a medication in the benzodiazepine class that is commonly used to treat anxiety and panic disorders. Xanax (alprazolam) can affect appetite in a couple of ways.

Firstly, Xanax can increase appetite and cause cravings for high-calorie foods. This is because the medication can affect the brain’s reward system and increase the pleasure associated with eating, leading to overeating and weight gain in some people.

Secondly, Xanax can also cause gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea and vomiting, which can decrease appetite and cause weight loss in some people. However, this is less common than the appetite-increasing effect of Xanax.

Thus, in some cases, appetite will decrease as a result of taking Xanax. It is possible that this decrease in appetite may lead to weight loss over time. However, if you are experiencing periods of binge eating episodes because you have a sudden and intense increase in hunger, it’s likely that your appetite has not been suppressed by the drug.

It’s important to note that the effect of Xanax on appetite can vary from person to person, and not everyone who takes this medication will experience changes in appetite. If you are taking Xanax and are concerned about its impact on your appetite or weight, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider. They can evaluate your symptoms and recommend appropriate treatments or adjustments to your medication regimen if necessary.

In these circumstances, the individual should talk to their doctor about how they can manage their symptoms and ensure their health is not at risk.

Does Xanax make you lose appetite?

Xanax can cause appetite to wane and may lead to weight loss. Though the drug doesn’t necessarily create a feeling of hunger, it can lead to binge eating episodes when users experience a surge of hunger.

This is due in part to the fact that Xanax can lead to slower digestion, which can result in an increase in the production of stomach acid that causes discomfort and nausea, which is often mistaken for hunger.

The most common side effects of taking Xanax include drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty breathing. Less common yet still possible side effects include lightheadedness, dizziness, muscle weakness, and unsteady gait. These symptoms are often temporary and will subside with time or with changes in dosage.

What are the other effects of Xanax?

There are several other potential side effects of Xanax including:

• Drowsiness,
• Dizziness and lightheadedness,
• Increased saliva production,
• Change in sex drive/ability

The serious side effects that can occur include:

• Mental/mood changes including hallucinations and thoughts of suicide
• Having trouble speaking
• Loss of coordination thus leading to trouble walking
• Memory problems
• Allergic reactions presenting as a rash; itching/swelling of the face, tongue, or throat; and trouble breathing.

If you get any of the serious side effects it is important to notify the doctor immediately.

There are also some other effects that Xanax can have on a person’s body. One of the most well-known and talked about effects is the potential for weight loss. For example, it is not uncommon to hear people say that they lost a lot of weight after starting treatment with this drug.

On the other hand, there are also those who say that they gained a significant amount of weight after being prescribed this drug. It is important to remember that there are many factors that go into how a drug will affect someone physically. Weight gain or loss depends on more than just taking Xanax.

Because of this, it is hard to predict whether or not you will experience any type of side effect in relation to your weight when taking this medication. Generally speaking, it is possible for patients to experience an increase in their appetite while on Xanax.

This may lead them to gain weight due to overeating caused by an increase in appetite, especially if they have been losing weight while taking Xanax as well.

As with any medication, it is important to speak with your doctor before beginning treatment so you can get the facts and ask any questions you need about the potential side effects for you specifically.

Other Reasons for Weight Change with Xanax Usage

Xanax can cause weight changes due to effects of the drug such as:

• Modest weight loss through muscle catabolism,
• Weight loss due to nausea & vomiting,
• Weight increase due to social eating because of reducing high anxiety,
• Taste alterations- taste is enhanced and food is perceived as more pleasurable or rewarding causing weight gain or tastes awful causing weight loss

As with any other medication, there are some side effects of taking Xanax that users need to be aware of. Among them is the potential for weight change depending on which side effect of the drug is happening.

Does benzo withdrawal cause weight gain?

Benzodiazepine withdrawal can cause benzo withdrawal weight gain. This is often attributed to their body’s reaction to the sudden lack of this synthetic substance in their system. The sudden change in hormones can lead to a variety of physical and emotional symptoms, including cravings for sweets and carbohydrates.

Other symptoms include low energy levels, lethargy, mood swings, depression, trouble sleeping and more. Some people who are trying to withdraw from benzodiazepines may experience weight loss as well.

This can be attributed to a decrease in appetite that comes with a decrease in anxiety or due to the fact that they are simply too tired or depressed to eat enough calories on any given day.

In either case, it’s important for benzodiazepine users–especially those using Xanax–to make sure they’re also eating healthy foods and getting plenty of exercise to avoid health problems like diabetes or heart disease.

How long does it take to lose weight after stopping medication?

It may take weeks or months depending on the changes made to your diet and exercise routine. The process of weight loss is a gradual one, as people need to change their habits to lose weight. This natural process can be sped up after stopping Xanax by changing your diet and exercising more often.

For many people, it may take weeks or months before they notice any changes in weight after stopping Xanax. It should be noted that the amount of time it takes for individuals to lose weight will vary depending on how much they have gained while taking the drug, how long they took it, how many times they took the medication per day, and what types of changes are made in terms of their diet and exercise routine.

Weight gain is not always inevitable when taking Xanax. There are some people who experience weight loss rather than gains when taking Xanax.

The best way to know for sure whether you will experience any effects from this drug is by discussing with a medical professional and watching for any signs that you may become overweight or underweight as a result of treatment.

Which anti-anxiety medication causes weight gain?

There are a variety of anxiety medications that could cause weight gain. Some of the most common types include benzodiazepines, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Benzodiazepines work by binding to GABA receptors in the brain. GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, which means it helps to calm down neurons that are sending too many signals to other cells. By binding with these receptors, benzodiazepines help to reduce the effects of excessive signaling.

However, because this type of drug can affect sleep cycles and induce relaxation, it may lead to some weight gain in some cases. As for SSRIs, they alter levels of serotonin (a neurotransmitter) and norepinephrine (another neurotransmitter) in the brain by blocking the transporter molecules that would normally clear these substances from the space between synapses where they’re released.

The SSRI interference can have an effect on weight since serotonin is thought to play a role in regulating hunger and food cravings.

SNRI venlafaxine has been shown to cause weight loss through its inhibition of norepinephrine reuptake; however, it also has been observed to cause weight gain as well due to its inhibition of dopamine reuptake.

How does Alprazolam work?

It’s not clear exactly how this interaction works to produce its calming effect, but it’s believed that the specific type of benzodiazepine molecule attracted to the neurotransmitter GABA causes a decrease in brain activity.

Xanax thus enhances the effects of a certain natural chemical in the body called GABA.

As with any other drug, there are some side effects of taking Xanax that you should be aware of. Among them is the potential for weight gain or weight loss after beginning treatment with this drug.

Final Words

The benzodiazepine family of drugs is known for its ability to produce a calming effect on users. Xanax, also known as alprazolam, is one of the most common and well-known members of this drug family. It is often used to treat different types of anxiety, panic attacks, and other related conditions.

However, as with any other medication, there are some side effects of taking Xanax that users need to be aware of. Among them is the potential for weight gain or weight loss after beginning a treatment plan that involves this drug. Keep reading to learn more about whether or not Xanax will lead to weight gain or weight loss in your case.

FAQs

Sources

https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-8171/alprazolam+oral/details