Lexapro (escitalopram) causes slightly more weight gain than Celexa (citalopram), though the difference is modest—approximately 0.3 kg more at 6 months. The most robust head-to-head comparison comes from a large-scale 2024 target trial emulation study involving 183,118 patients across 8 U.S. health systems 1. If you're struggling with depression, the most important question about taking an antidepressant is whether it will work. But another question on your mind may be whether it will fuel weight gain. A new study provides some context. Weight changes are a potential side effect of taking Lexapro; the amount of weight you gain, if any, can vary. A healthy diet and regular exercise can help prevent weight changes while on Lexapro. Consult a healthcare provider before stopping Lexapro if you notice weight gain. Lexapro can cause weight gain, although it is often slightly less likely than Celexa. Monitoring diet, sleep, and physical activity can help reduce unwanted changes. Lexapro weight gain affects up 25 % to 41% of patients who take this antidepressant medication, although weight gain tends to be minimal, with an average gain of approximately 1 % to 3.7%. I just got prescribed Celexa today! After finally upping my Lexapro from 10mg to 20mg. I realized it did not work for me. I thought I was in a rut and needed to finally up the dosage but it made sleeping worse for me as well. And had a much lower energy levels. Hopefully Celexa works for me! Celexa and Lexapro treat depression but work in different ways. Compare the side effects and interactions of these drugs to find out which one is better. Yes, Celexa typically causes less weight gain than Lexapro based on clinical studies. Research shows that citalopram (Celexa) is associated with minimal weight changes, while escitalopram (Lexapro) can cause weight gain in 1-10% of patients during the first 6 months of treatment. To stay informed, here are the 16 antidepressant drugs that cause weight gain, and the ones that don't.