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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by shay52 on July 21, 2003, at 16:52:22
In reply to Re: effects of topamax Nycole, posted by Nycole on July 21, 2003, at 15:59:14
I started losing weight within the 1st 2 weeks. In the 1st month I lost 11lbs. I've kinda leveled off right now, but still have no appetite. If I was physically able to exercise, I imagine the loss would be dramatic.'Course, I still forget words in the middle of a sentence and feel like "dopey" but I look good...LOL
Posted by balto1 on July 23, 2003, at 4:28:19
In reply to Topamax Experiences?, posted by Kingfish on January 4, 2001, at 7:29:48
Hi I went to the doctor yesterday because I had recently been on Lexapro for bipolar. I had been on it along with wellbuttrin for a couple of months. The first month I felt a lot better. The last few weeks I had experienced some problems. I have been on the wellbuttrin for over a year now so I knew it was not it so I went off the Lexapr. My doctor put me on Topamax yesterday. I have suffered with mild depression probably most of my life. My whole family seems to. I am 34 years old. I had a total hysterectomy at 28 and suffered worst depression since. Over the last 2 years I have had a lot of family problems and them about a year ago lost my mom. She was a very important part of my life and I have had a terrible time getting over her lose. I felt myself slipping deeper and deeper into depression so I knew I had to do something. I have gained about 40 pounds since my surgery 6 years ago and been fighting with my weight since. Last year I lost about 16 pounds on weight watchers but gained 5 back. My doctor and me to are really hopping this medicine (topamax) will help me. We all know that being overweight sure dont help depression. I have really been struggling lately and would not have made it without my family but most of all God. But I would love to hear from anyone who has experienced similar stuff or could give me any advice about this medicine or if you are taking it along with wellbuttrin. Thanks
Posted by Nycole on July 26, 2003, at 1:24:43
In reply to Re: Topamax Weight Loss Advice?????, posted by Nycole on July 13, 2003, at 15:06:02
OK, BIG HUGE problem. I haven't written on here in quite a while with very good reason. My depression totally crashed and burned. I hit the absolute bottom of rock bottom. I have been on the Topamax for almost 6 weeks now in adition to my effexor that I have been on for 3 years. The combo helped for for about 2 weeks and BAM it was gone. Ya'll, I have never been so bad with the clinical depression in my whole life! My pdoc has been on vacation for a week and a half. Has anyone ever had a case that the topamax either didn't work at all or made you much much worse?? I don't now what to think of all this, and the pdoc on call just keeps on telling me to go to the hospital which I won't do. Help me out guys!!
Posted by Nycole on August 4, 2003, at 23:54:37
In reply to Re: Topamax Weight Loss Advice????? LBcats, posted by KRM123 on July 12, 2003, at 11:54:38
Hi Everyone!! Sorry It's been awhile. It's been awhile since I have heard from a lot of ya'll, too! I hope everyone is doing well! Well, I finally started losing weight on the Topamax! It wasn't until I got to the 200mg. that it started. That's when my appetite decreased. Now I lost 10 pounds in about a month. So, of course I am so excited about that! My question is for you seasoned weight loss people who have lost the weight and kept it off. Does the decrease in appetite go away?? I don't want it to ever go away!! I just wanna keep losing and losing! If it does go away, how long does it take? And did you gain all your weight back when your appetite came back?? I am so paranoid that is going to happen!!! I guess it's just becasue things are going so well, I am afraid to be overly happy about it, cuz I fear it will be taken away....ya know??? WEll, let me know!! Anyone who knows anything about this....please respond!! THanks!
Nycole
Posted by token on August 5, 2003, at 6:27:02
In reply to effects of topamax-heat, posted by shay52 on July 21, 2003, at 15:16:06
it's been a loooong time since i've been here but here goes...i was on 200mg bid topamax for about a year and the appetite went back to normal. then i stopped all my meds for 2 months and gained 12 pounds. now that i am back on, i am not eating as much but boy am i nauseaus with heartburn, etc...as far as the heat, this can be very dangerous. topamax is known to disrupt your body's ability to sweat and control your body temperature. last summer, doctors didn't know what was wrong with me and thought i had an endocrine problem and since i was a psych patient, they thought i was faking my collapsing in the heat. i also kept falling asleep while driving even though my doctor was only 2 miles down the road. i would quickly recover once i cooled off so it never looked genuine but now there is a medwatch warning on it.
Posted by LBcats on August 5, 2003, at 9:38:43
In reply to Topamax Weight Loss Advice, posted by Nycole on August 4, 2003, at 23:54:37
>Hi Nycole,
I got some of my appetite back but have not gained any of my weight back because my appetite comes and goes. Some days I'm hungry some days I'm not. It depends on my mood too. I get hungry for fruit a lot for some reason like grapes or fruit juices. But when I do get hungry for something fatty I sit down to eat and then I get full right away, so don't worry I haven't gained anything back after 7 months. I'm on 200mg a day, also. Sit back and enjoy the weight loss and you will get a lot of compliments from people.
Good luck
LindaHi Everyone!! Sorry It's been awhile. It's been awhile since I have heard from a lot of ya'll, too! I hope everyone is doing well! Well, I finally started losing weight on the Topamax! It wasn't until I got to the 200mg. that it started. That's when my appetite decreased. Now I lost 10 pounds in about a month. So, of course I am so excited about that! My question is for you seasoned weight loss people who have lost the weight and kept it off. Does the decrease in appetite go away?? I don't want it to ever go away!! I just wanna keep losing and losing! If it does go away, how long does it take? And did you gain all your weight back when your appetite came back?? I am so paranoid that is going to happen!!! I guess it's just becasue things are going so well, I am afraid to be overly happy about it, cuz I fear it will be taken away....ya know??? WEll, let me know!! Anyone who knows anything about this....please respond!! THanks!
>
> Nycole
Posted by Juan Molina on August 26, 2003, at 13:53:06
In reply to My Topamax Experience Has Been Positive » Bette Powers, posted by Jet on February 9, 2002, at 0:34:23
hello there!!!
I try to explain myself as good as possible. I am 30 years old and I have been suffering from kind of pressure all over my head.I feel like a tight band or vise on the head and it occurs daily. The
diagnosis was "tension headache". The thing is that I do not have depression but nonetheless, I have been prescribed topomax 25 by my neurologist. So I am wondering if this is going to help me to get over my problem.
Thanks a lot and I am really looking forward to hearing from you!!!
Good luck to all of you from sunny Canary Islands
Posted by galkeepinon on August 26, 2003, at 22:39:04
In reply to Re: is topamax good for me???, posted by Juan Molina on August 26, 2003, at 13:53:06
hello Juan, It sounds like your neurologist may have felt that Topamax may help your 'tension headaches' if that's what they are. Topamax is also used for migraines for some people. Do you think these headaches may be migraines?
Best of luck!> hello there!!!
>
> I try to explain myself as good as possible. I am 30 years old and I have been suffering from kind of pressure all over my head.I feel like a tight band or vise on the head and it occurs daily. The
> diagnosis was "tension headache". The thing is that I do not have depression but nonetheless, I have been prescribed topomax 25 by my neurologist. So I am wondering if this is going to help me to get over my problem.
> Thanks a lot and I am really looking forward to hearing from you!!!
> Good luck to all of you from sunny Canary Islands
>
>
Posted by Bear on August 28, 2003, at 12:02:19
In reply to Re: Tomamax for weight loss, posted by Cateb on May 27, 2001, at 7:34:29
> He also wouldn't listen to me when I said that I thought the Wellbutrin/Topamax combo he had me on was really messing with my head. >
I dont even know if anyone willl read this because I notice most of the messages are 2 years old. But....
I became disabled from an accident in 2000 and since that time I am in desperate pain and became VERY depressed and also gained about 60 lbs. LONG story short, I was on all kinds of meds which made me balloon up, hence the 60 lbs. I recently was put on a combo of Wellbutrin/Topamax. I have NO IDEA on God's green Earth what they are supposed to do for me, no one explained anything to me. All I know is I feel no different, no better. Just TIRED all the time. Also, I havent lost an ounce. Im taking them about 2 weeks.
Im reading these posts and this one jumped out at me because it's the same combo Im taking. Im a little nervous now. What will it do to me? Im almost positive he gave them to me to lose the weight because I told him I was on every diet plan on the market and that's true. Weight Watchers, LA Weight Loss, Atkins, everything and nothing worked. I havent lost an ounce on this med and I truly dont feel any different.
Any advice and I thank you.
Bear.
Posted by Bear on August 28, 2003, at 12:09:57
In reply to Re: Tomamax for weight loss, posted by Ambrosia on May 27, 2001, at 23:46:00
> Just a thought > > >I would recommend Topomax to anyone who wants to lose weight. In fact, I think they should market it for that purpose--it's got to be safer than taking dexadrine or other addictive drugs. I used to take it, and within 3 months I lost like 45 pounds without even trying. I simply wasn't hungry most of the time, and didn't have the drive to snack or overeat. > > >Ambrosia
When did you notice the weight starting to come off? Ive been taking Wellbutrin/Topamax for abut two weeks, and havent lost an ounce. And what dosage were you on? I started at 25mg in the am (Topamax) and 25mg at night. Now Im at 100mg a day. Wellbutrin is 120 a day. I would jump over the moon, well, Im disabled, cant do that (lol), but Id go insane with joy if lost 45 lbs. Overeating isnt my problem. Im sedentary due to being disabled. I dot even know if it's possible to lose weight if you're sedentary. thanks.
Bear
Posted by Nycole on August 29, 2003, at 1:10:34
In reply to Re: Tomamax for weight loss-Ambrosia, posted by Bear on August 28, 2003, at 12:09:57
Bear...
I think you will lose weight with the Topamax! But, you have to give it a little time. I didn't start losing weight with it until I was taking it 5 or 6 weeks and I was on 200 mg. I take it for depression. As soon as I got up to the 200mg, my appetite was almost gone and that is how you lose the weight. A lot of people lost their appetite at even lower doses than 200, but I know it takes at least 3 or 4 weeks, and like I said, for me it was like 6 weeks, so be patient. Good Luck and let me know if you have any other questions about it!
Posted by galkeepinon on August 29, 2003, at 1:27:58
In reply to Re: Tomamax for weight loss-Ambrosia, posted by Nycole on August 29, 2003, at 1:10:34
Hey there:-) I was just thinking about you the other day when I saw this thread! I was wondering where you went. Sounds like you're the one giving advice now-that's awesome:-) I know you were having a terrible time wanting to see some weight loss on the Topamax! How much have you lost? How is it going for you? Is it helping your depression? Just wanted to see how the heck you were doing:-)
Glad to see your post!
gal
> Bear...
>
> I think you will lose weight with the Topamax! But, you have to give it a little time. I didn't start losing weight with it until I was taking it 5 or 6 weeks and I was on 200 mg. I take it for depression. As soon as I got up to the 200mg, my appetite was almost gone and that is how you lose the weight. A lot of people lost their appetite at even lower doses than 200, but I know it takes at least 3 or 4 weeks, and like I said, for me it was like 6 weeks, so be patient. Good Luck and let me know if you have any other questions about it!
Posted by Bear on August 29, 2003, at 15:08:33
In reply to Re: Tomamax for weight loss-Ambrosia, posted by Nycole on August 29, 2003, at 1:10:34
> Bear...
>
> I think you will lose weight with the Topamax! But, you have to give it a little time. I didn't start losing weight with it until I was taking it 5 or 6 weeks and I was on 200 mg. I take it for depression. As soon as I got up to the 200mg, my appetite was almost gone and that is how you lose the weight. A lot of people lost their appetite at even lower doses than 200, but I know it takes at least 3 or 4 weeks, and like I said, for me it was like 6 weeks, so be patient. Good Luck and let me know if you have any other questions about it!Thanks for the reply!!
Ive already lost my appetite! Im on 100mg a day and I only eat 1 meal a day, maybe 2, but the meals are so small, it's almost not enough to keep a bird alive. Dont see any weight loss yet, though.
But another side effect Im noticing. Headaches.
I have headaches every day now. Im also taking Wellbutrin twice a day. But I have crashing terrible headaches everyday, like right above my ears, going backwards (sometimes in my temples)to the back of my head. I read somewhere Topamax can cause Glaucoma, and now of course, Im thinking the worst and thinking it's that.
Does anyone else get terrible headaches??
Thanks!
Bear
Posted by Bear on August 29, 2003, at 15:25:54
In reply to Re: Tomamax for weight loss-Nycole-Headaches??, posted by Bear on August 29, 2003, at 15:08:33
> But another side effect Im noticing. Headaches.
>
> I have headaches every day now. Im also taking Wellbutrin twice a day. But I have crashing terrible headaches everyday, like right above my ears, going backwards (sometimes in my temples)to the back of my head. I read somewhere Topamax can cause Glaucoma, and now of course, Im thinking the worst and thinking it's that.
>
> Does anyone else get terrible headaches??
>It's the Wellbutrin!! I just read an article on Wellbutrin. It causes Hypertension and migraines. I have a history of hypertension and you'd THINK my doctor would know that and not give it to me but he did!! Ive had crashing headaches, and had one that lasted 27 hours and prob. had high BP blowing out the top of my skull! GEEZ!
Im not taking it anymore. I could have a stroke. Now wonder I feel like poop. My BP is probably sky high and Wellbutrin causes migraines. Someone else on here said they were taking Wellbutrin and Topamax, beware!! Wellbutrin causes a host of side effects:
Hypertension (high blood pressure), in some cases severe, has been reported in patients
taking WELLBUTRIN SR alone and in combination with nicotine replacement therapy (for
example, nicotine patch). Monitoring of blood pressure is recommended in patients who
receive a combination of WELLBUTRIN SR and nicotine replacement.
The most common side effects of WELLBUTRIN SR in clinical studies were: At 300 mg/day:
loss of appetite, dry mouth, skin rash, sweating, ringing in the ears, and shakiness. At 400
mg/day: abdominal (stomach) pain, agitation, anxiety, dizziness, dry mouth, difficulty sleeping,
muscle pain, nausea, rapid heart beat, sore throat, sweating, ringing in the ears, and
urinating more often.
If you have nausea, you may want to take your medicine with food. If you have difficulty
sleeping, avoid taking your medicine too close to bedtime.
The most common side effects that caused people to stop taking WELLBUTRIN SR during
clinical studies were skin rash, nausea, agitation, and migraine (a severe type of headache).This board is a God send....
Bear
Posted by galkeepinon on August 30, 2003, at 20:22:23
In reply to Re: Tomamax for weight loss-Nycole-Headaches??, posted by Bear on August 29, 2003, at 15:08:33
Hi Bear:-) When I first started Topamax, I really lost my appetite and lost 25 pounds on it. It just made me not want to eat at all. I did get headaches the first 2 weeks I was on it. I was like-'wait I thought this med was just approved for migraines even' LOL but the headaches did subside. My brother was on Wellbutrin and because his doctor had talked about the possible side effect of seizures with that med-he weaned himself off of it. It just wasn't for HIM.
Hang in there-I wish you the best!
> Thanks for the reply!!
>
> Ive already lost my appetite! Im on 100mg a day and I only eat 1 meal a day, maybe 2, but the meals are so small, it's almost not enough to keep a bird alive. Dont see any weight loss yet, though.
>
> But another side effect Im noticing. Headaches.
>
> I have headaches every day now. Im also taking Wellbutrin twice a day. But I have crashing terrible headaches everyday, like right above my ears, going backwards (sometimes in my temples)to the back of my head. I read somewhere Topamax can cause Glaucoma, and now of course, Im thinking the worst and thinking it's that.
>
> Does anyone else get terrible headaches??
>
> Thanks!
>
> Bear
Posted by galkeepinon on August 30, 2003, at 20:24:47
In reply to Topamax/Headaches??-Wellbutrin, posted by Bear on August 29, 2003, at 15:25:54
.........took action, and sounds like you found some answers:-)
YOU were the one who was proactive, my friend;)
Good luck:-)> > But another side effect Im noticing. Headaches.
> >
> > I have headaches every day now. Im also taking Wellbutrin twice a day. But I have crashing terrible headaches everyday, like right above my ears, going backwards (sometimes in my temples)to the back of my head. I read somewhere Topamax can cause Glaucoma, and now of course, Im thinking the worst and thinking it's that.
> >
> > Does anyone else get terrible headaches??
> >
>
> It's the Wellbutrin!! I just read an article on Wellbutrin. It causes Hypertension and migraines. I have a history of hypertension and you'd THINK my doctor would know that and not give it to me but he did!! Ive had crashing headaches, and had one that lasted 27 hours and prob. had high BP blowing out the top of my skull! GEEZ!
>
> Im not taking it anymore. I could have a stroke. Now wonder I feel like poop. My BP is probably sky high and Wellbutrin causes migraines. Someone else on here said they were taking Wellbutrin and Topamax, beware!! Wellbutrin causes a host of side effects:
>
> Hypertension (high blood pressure), in some cases severe, has been reported in patients
> taking WELLBUTRIN SR alone and in combination with nicotine replacement therapy (for
> example, nicotine patch). Monitoring of blood pressure is recommended in patients who
> receive a combination of WELLBUTRIN SR and nicotine replacement.
> The most common side effects of WELLBUTRIN SR in clinical studies were: At 300 mg/day:
> loss of appetite, dry mouth, skin rash, sweating, ringing in the ears, and shakiness. At 400
> mg/day: abdominal (stomach) pain, agitation, anxiety, dizziness, dry mouth, difficulty sleeping,
> muscle pain, nausea, rapid heart beat, sore throat, sweating, ringing in the ears, and
> urinating more often.
> If you have nausea, you may want to take your medicine with food. If you have difficulty
> sleeping, avoid taking your medicine too close to bedtime.
> The most common side effects that caused people to stop taking WELLBUTRIN SR during
> clinical studies were skin rash, nausea, agitation, and migraine (a severe type of headache).
>
> This board is a God send....
>
> Bear
>
Posted by Wrain on August 30, 2003, at 20:31:03
In reply to Re: The benefits of Topamax (more) » phillybob, posted by Bob on January 10, 2001, at 15:42:33
Wow, I too am on Topamax, 300mg's a day and have never experienced any of the side affects that you are describing. I have a drink every now and then and have never felt anything funny nor does it curb my appetite.
My med combo is as follows....1 500mg Depakote, 1 100mg Topamax and 2 25mg CR Paxil in the morning. At night I take 2 500mg Depakote and 2 100 Topamax along with a 150mg Trazadone.
Also, I still have times where I rapid cycle so my meds are still not straight, my mind wonders all over the place and I wish it would just stop.
Posted by galkeepinon on August 30, 2003, at 20:49:31
In reply to Re: The benefits of Topamax (more), posted by Wrain on August 30, 2003, at 20:31:03
Hi, have you ever been diagnosed with OCD? Just wondering because you sound like me-my mind never stops racing and the hamsters up there just keep spinnin their wheels! I was diagnosed with rapid cycling in 1997 but the Lamcictal has helped that in the past and I just recently went back on it- S l o w l y!!!Have you ever tried Luvox???
Hang in there!!!
> Wow, I too am on Topamax, 300mg's a day and have never experienced any of the side affects that you are describing. I have a drink every now and then and have never felt anything funny nor does it curb my appetite.
>
> My med combo is as follows....1 500mg Depakote, 1 100mg Topamax and 2 25mg CR Paxil in the morning. At night I take 2 500mg Depakote and 2 100 Topamax along with a 150mg Trazadone.
>
> Also, I still have times where I rapid cycle so my meds are still not straight, my mind wonders all over the place and I wish it would just stop.
Posted by falconetti on September 5, 2003, at 13:18:19
In reply to Re: Recently Started on Topamax, posted by dawn setzer on April 20, 2001, at 12:14:08
Has anyone used Topamax for peripheral neuropathy? I am starting today at 25 mg for one week, increasing to 50 mg for the 3 following weeks. My neurologist is conservative therefore the low starting doses.
The side effects for this drug sound scary.
Falconetti
Posted by zenith on September 6, 2003, at 23:56:17
In reply to Re: Topamax Weight Loss Advice?????, posted by LBcats on July 11, 2003, at 22:06:28
as far as the omega 3s - yeah they are great for anyone, have especially important potential for a bipolar. you don't have to take the horse capsules. you can buy it in liquid form. nor do you have to take it plain, i use it instead of olive oil on salads - it's quite good with a nutty taste. it can't be heated - but otherwise can be used cold mixed in anything.
as far as meds go had some problems with tegretol including weight gain and my pdoc just started me on topamax. we'll see. i functioned quite well being stoned before so i'm not sure how the cognitive side effects will compare or what kind of effect they will have on me individually. he mentioned trileptal which just has an oxygen attached to the carbamazepine however preliminary studies have indicated some positive effects or should I say lack of side effects...the nutrition route i'd say is a mandatory without being obsessive- it's the one thing that is "controllable" and staying otherwise as healthy as possible I figure can only make things better not worse right? but you just keep going. yoga is outstanding for anyone interested, i would i highly recommend it as an adjunct therapy AND as a way to move thereby keeping the waistline a bit trimmer...
peace
zenith
Posted by teachersher on September 7, 2003, at 21:09:59
In reply to Re: The benefits of Topamax (more) » Wrain, posted by galkeepinon on August 30, 2003, at 20:49:31
Help-what kind of doctor prescribes this for weight loss and how much is the best price for this?
Posted by Wrain on September 8, 2003, at 8:51:22
In reply to Re: Tomamax for weight loss, posted by Bear on August 28, 2003, at 12:02:19
How much Topamax do you take a day? Milligram wise? I have been taking 300 milligrams for about a year now and I have lost weight but I don't think it is from the Topamax. Also, the Wellbutrin/Topamax combo and doctor not listening messing with your head....you either need to make him listen or find another doctor..this is nothing to play with lets keep this board going and not let it get 2 years old. We need this. Will be anxious to hear back from everyone.
Paige
> > He also wouldn't listen to me when I said that I thought the Wellbutrin/Topamax combo he had me on was really messing with my head. >
>
> I dont even know if anyone willl read this because I notice most of the messages are 2 years old. But....
>
> I became disabled from an accident in 2000 and since that time I am in desperate pain and became VERY depressed and also gained about 60 lbs. LONG story short, I was on all kinds of meds which made me balloon up, hence the 60 lbs. I recently was put on a combo of Wellbutrin/Topamax. I have NO IDEA on God's green Earth what they are supposed to do for me, no one explained anything to me. All I know is I feel no different, no better. Just TIRED all the time. Also, I havent lost an ounce. Im taking them about 2 weeks.
>
> Im reading these posts and this one jumped out at me because it's the same combo Im taking. Im a little nervous now. What will it do to me? Im almost positive he gave them to me to lose the weight because I told him I was on every diet plan on the market and that's true. Weight Watchers, LA Weight Loss, Atkins, everything and nothing worked. I havent lost an ounce on this med and I truly dont feel any different.
>
> Any advice and I thank you.
>
> Bear.
>
>
Posted by Wrain on September 8, 2003, at 8:54:04
In reply to Re: The benefits of Topamax (more) » Wrain, posted by galkeepinon on August 30, 2003, at 20:49:31
No, I have never heard of that, I am going to have to ask my doctor about it. Can you tell me more?
Posted by galkeepinon on September 8, 2003, at 23:53:52
In reply to Re: The benefits of Topamax (more), posted by Wrain on September 8, 2003, at 8:54:04
Here is some good info on Luvox for ya:-)
http://www.ocd.nami.org/helpline/luvox.htm
> No, I have never heard of that, I am going to have to ask my doctor about it. Can you tell me more?
>
Posted by galkeepinon on September 8, 2003, at 23:59:03
In reply to Re: The benefits of Topamax (more) » Wrain, posted by galkeepinon on September 8, 2003, at 23:53:52
This is what was to supposed to show up but didn't for some reason:-)
Luvox (fluvoxamine maleate) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) marketed jointly by Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and the Upjohn Company. Luvox was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1993 for the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), a biological illness involving an imbalance of a brain chemical.
Luvox has been shown to effectively reduce the symptoms associated with OCD, an anxiety disorder affecting an estimated five million Americans. OCD is characterized by obsessions (unwanted, recurrent and disturbing thoughts) and compulsions (repetitive, ritualized behaviors that the person feels driven to perform in order to lessen the anxiety produced by the obsessions).
Current theories indicate that OCD is a biological illness involving an imbalance of a naturally occurring brain chemical called serotonin, which sends impulses from one nerve cell to another. It is this serotonin imbalance that is linked to OCD. Luvox works by improving this imbalance and reducing the obsessions and compulsions associated with OCD.
Physicians and the millions of Americans with OCD have, with Luvox, a new option in drug treatment. Patients who have not benefitted previously from medication may respond to Luvox.
Studies show that Luvox is effective for elderly patients as well as young persons. The safety and effectiveness of Luvox have not been established for those under 18 years of age. Luvox should be used cautiously in patients with a history of mania and/or seizures. Nursing mothers and women who become pregnant during therapy with Luvox should consult a physician about continuing treatment.
A recent nationwide survey of more than 1,000 adults found that over half of the respondents were not aware that medications exist to treat OCD. Luvox represents another pharmacotherapy option in therapy that may help to clear up this misperception and increase the number of people being successfully treated for OCD.
Luvox is available by prescription and comes in 50 mg and 100 mg tablets. The recommended starting dose is 50 mg, taken as a single daily dose at bedtime. The dosage may be increased in 50 mg increments every four to seven days until maximum therapeutic benefit is achieved. The dosage should never exceed 300 mg/day. For doses over 100 mg/day, it is recommended that Luvox be given in divided doses. If the doses are unequal, the larger dose should be given at bedtime. Try to be patient the first few weeks of treatment. Improvement may occur only after several weeks or months.
There are several medications that should not be taken in combination with Luvox. These medications include the prescription antihistamines Seldane and Hismanal as well as any MAOI (monoamine oxidase inhibitor) medication, such as Parnate, Nardil, or Marplan. Patients should notify their physicians if they are taking or plan to take any other medications with Luvox because there is a potential for harmful interactions.
It is also advisable to avoid alcohol while undergoing treatment with Luvox.
As with any medication, there are some side effects associated with Luvox in certain individuals. The most commonly observed side effects include insomnia, sleepiness, nausea, weakness, sexual dysfunction, nervousness, dry mouth, and constipation. Also, caution should be taken by patients who drive or operate machinery because Luvox may impair judgment, thinking, or motor skills.
The effectiveness of Luvox for long-term use has not been studied extensively. Therefore, patients taking this drug for extended periods of time should be monitored closely by a physician and re-evaluated over time.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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