Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 980

Shown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Zyprexa, effexor

Posted by Ann on October 29, 1998, at 2:19:33

I have been on effexor and zyprexa for depression.
I have gained 139 pounds. Can someone help me or refer me to someone who can?

 

Re: Zyprexa, effexor

Posted by Toby on October 29, 1998, at 9:41:31

In reply to Zyprexa, effexor, posted by Ann on October 29, 1998, at 2:19:33

Talk to your doctor about the Zyprexa which is a major offender when it comes to weight gain. Find out if you still need it (many times a person can come off it once the depression is under control). Exercising, watching high calorie snacks, and eating healthy? If mood symptoms are still a problem, you may want to ask the doctor about Topamax which can help stabilize mood but causes weight loss, rather than gain.

 

Re: Zyprexa, effexor

Posted by David K. on January 2, 1999, at 17:30:41

In reply to Zyprexa, effexor, posted by Ann on October 29, 1998, at 2:19:33

I totally agree with Toby! I just stopped taking Effexor because of weight gain ... which probably stared with the Zyprexa I was taking before the Effexor. I'm just starting out now with Celexa, which has been used in Europe but is fairly new in the US. Supposedly it has no side effects, but we'll see. I've also been trying to exercise more ... (more? Just plain exercise...) but that can be really hard when you don't want to leave the house. (By 'exercise' I mean go for a walk.) So I just wait till nighttime when it's dark, at least.
I'd ask your doctor about Celexa. Good luck!

 

Re: Zyprexa, effexor

Posted by Maaria on January 10, 1999, at 13:05:42

In reply to Re: Zyprexa, effexor, posted by David K. on January 2, 1999, at 17:30:41

> I totally agree with Toby! I just stopped taking Effexor because of weight gain ... which

I've had the precise opposite experience: since I started Effexor, I have felt much better and I've lost weight even though I haven't dieted and don't exercise. I was on Fevarin (I'm not sure if that's what it's called in the States, anyway it's fluvoxamin?) for a long time before that and had neither of these positive effects, although I did get rid of the very worst depression. So while I don't think it's Effexor that has been causing these weight problems that have been mentioned, I must admit that reactions to drugs can vary between individuals, and that the effects of using different things before may well have an effect.

ll see. I've also been trying to exercise more ... (more? Just plain exercise...) but that can be really hard when you don't want to leave the house. (By 'exercise' I mean go for a walk.) So I just wait till nighttime when it's dark, at least.

I agree, it's certainly hard to find energy for exercise when you don't have the energy to take a shower or answer the phone! But night-walks have been a good way to start for me, too: I wasn't able to sleep and was living in a fairly safe area, so I just went out at night. No stressful traffic noise, no need to see people (and feel awkward for looking like, well, the way a depressed person does look like, zombie), fresh air and the good feeling you get for hours.

Good luck to you all on my behalf too!
Maaria

 

Re: Zyprexa, effexor

Posted by Mark on May 10, 1999, at 2:53:22

In reply to Re: Zyprexa, effexor, posted by Toby on October 29, 1998, at 9:41:31

Also talk to your doctor about adding in
(non-prescription) carnitine and chromium.

> Talk to your doctor about the Zyprexa which is a major offender when it comes to weight gain. Find out if you still need it (many times a person can come off it once the depression is under control). Exercising, watching high calorie snacks, and eating healthy? If mood symptoms are still a problem, you may want to ask the doctor about Topamax which can help stabilize mood but causes weight loss, rather than gain.

 

Re: Zyprexa,

Posted by Waynette on May 26, 2000, at 19:36:21

In reply to Zyprexa, effexor, posted by Ann on October 29, 1998, at 2:19:33

> My Daughter (15 yrs.old) recently was prescribed
zyprexa. I was not given specific instructions.
5mg. once a day. Hello......can anyone tell me
is this usually given at night. (It seems to
really zonk her out) Is 5 mg. a usual dose,???
Her regular Dr. was out of town and I could use
your imput
Thanks

 

Re: Zyprexa,

Posted by Cam W. on May 26, 2000, at 23:36:50

In reply to Re: Zyprexa, , posted by Waynette on May 26, 2000, at 19:37:59


Waynette - 5mg is a typical dose of Zyprexa. Many docs do start at 2.5mg though, but 5mg is the norm. Your pharmacist and the prescribing doc both should have told you about this drug. For detailed and specific info on the drug, ask your pharmacist, that is what he/she is paid for. Yes, do have her take it at bedtime. As her body adjusts to the effects of the drug, the drowsiness should let up a bit. This should occur within a month of starting it.

Weight gain is a common problem, in part to carbohydrate craving and probably some metabolic changes. Monitor your daughter's diet (celery and carrots instead of chips and soda), and try to get her active in some sort of vigorous exercise. This may minimize the weight gain. Her weight will plateau within about 8 months, if indeed she does gain any. Not everyone gains weight with Zyprexa.

The weight gain seems to be linked to effect and baseline body size. The better the drug works (and it is used for many disorders from mood stabilization to psychosis), the more at risk a person is of having weight gain. Strict diet and exercise can minimize this. Also, it seems that the skinnier a person is, the more weight they will gain.

I hope this helps - Cam

 

Re: Zyprexa,other rx's together

Posted by Waynette on May 26, 2000, at 23:54:39

In reply to Re: Zyprexa, , posted by Cam W. on May 26, 2000, at 23:36:50


Ok, heres the story in short. My daughter is
taking Doxepin 75mg.clonidine 1.2mg 3Xs a day
depakote 3xs a day and was on adderall. the
dr. (not her reg. dr) sd. to dc everything but
the clonidine and start the zyprexa 5mg daily.
She did not say to titrate the dosage but just
dc it. she has been on some of these meds. for
a couple of years and this concerns me. Of course
I can't get a hold of the Dr.

Also she has had a big weight gain on these meds.
which I've been told usually do not cause such
a problem, but ususally the opposite.
she has manic episodes.& Juvinile Rheumatoid
Arthritis. So she is also on meds for the arthritis (since she wa 11 months old) UGH!!


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