Chronic imipramine treatment and weight gain

A study of weight change in subjects treated with imipramine was performed on recurrent depressive outpatients. The patients (n = 52) were treated with imipramine (200-250 mg/day) and psychotherapy for 16 weeks. Each individual was weighed upon entry to the study (drug-free) and then weekly thereafter for 16 weeks. Of the 44 women (85%) and 8 men (15%) in the study, 60% of the total group had a weight gain or loss less than 5 pounds (mean = 1.1 pounds) over this time. A weight gain of 6-10 pounds was observed in 19% of subjects, while 9% of the group gained 11-15 pounds. Only 6% (3 subjects) gained more than 15 pounds. Three subjects (6%) lost 6-10 pounds. No correlations were observed between a change in weight and the subject's age, sex, prior weight, or response to medication.