![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 22 of 22. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Anne1538 on August 10, 2001, at 17:20:34
My Dr. just prescribed Wellbutrin to help me with weight loss. The problem is the only info I have come across is that for depression. Does this medicine help with weight loss and if so has anyone else had huge success with it?
Posted by mila on August 10, 2001, at 18:34:15
In reply to Wellbutrin and weight loss, posted by Anne1538 on August 10, 2001, at 17:20:34
is your weight gain depression-related though (or, does your doctor think so)? My doc wanted me on wellbutrin because of this side effect and because I had depression anyway. But I decided not to try it because I wanted to stabilize my weight first by dealing with depression and afterwards deal with weight loss separately, mostly because obesity has secondary gains for me.
mila
Posted by Es on August 10, 2001, at 18:57:01
In reply to Wellbutrin and weight loss, posted by Anne1538 on August 10, 2001, at 17:20:34
> My doctor recently gave me wellbutrin for migraines, and said that it would not make me gain weight, but usually helped with losing it. No one has heard of it being used for migraines either....I think anti-depressents work different for each individual....good luck...let me know if you have any luck with it..ty
Posted by paxvox on August 10, 2001, at 21:05:20
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and weight loss, posted by Es on August 10, 2001, at 18:57:01
I think if your Doc gave you Wellbutrin purely for weight loss purposes, you should question his reasoning. Wellbutrin is an antidepressant with affinity for dopamine receptors and the GABA chems. While not a true dopamine agonist, it does allow the brain to resorb more dopamine like the way SSRIs work with seratonin. Although most people using WB at AD therapeutic doses do indeed lose weight ( I lost 30 pounds)a small % actually gain weight. It has effects on the CNS similar to those of amphetamines w/o most of their ontoward effects. It clearly "speeds" one up. If you mentioned to your Doc you have been depressed, he may have given you the WB for that as well, but I think it inappropriate for him/her not to inform you of his/her treatment plans. So I would ask. WB does have some side effects, and is not an innocuous med.
Posted by Anne1538 on August 10, 2001, at 21:56:34
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and weight loss, posted by mila on August 10, 2001, at 18:34:15
My Dr. said he had prescribed it solely to help with weight loss but I haven't been able to find enough info. to go alone with it. I am not on the medicine for depression at least that is what my Dr. had told me he put me on it for. It was for weight loss. I still am not sure how this works in helping with weight loss. Maybe I should have another conversation with him. He gave me 2 choices of medicines and I told him to choose because I didn't know enough about either one of them. I still don't quite understand how Wellbutrin can help with weight loss but I sure hope it does.
Posted by Joe Schmoe on August 11, 2001, at 0:32:23
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and weight loss, posted by Anne1538 on August 10, 2001, at 21:56:34
Wellbutrin can act as an appetite suppressant. It sure has for me. In five weeks I have lost 8 pounds. I am very happy about it.
Posted by paxvox on August 11, 2001, at 7:33:04
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and weight loss, posted by Anne1538 on August 10, 2001, at 21:56:34
> My Dr. said he had prescribed it solely to help with weight loss but I haven't been able to find enough info. to go alone with it. I am not on the medicine for depression at least that is what my Dr. had told me he put me on it for. It was for weight loss. I still am not sure how this works in helping with weight loss. Maybe I should have another conversation with him. He gave me 2 choices of medicines and I told him to choose because I didn't know enough about either one of them. I still don't quite understand how Wellbutrin can help with weight loss but I sure hope it does.
Anne...
Yes, Wellbutrin *PROROBABLY* will make you lose weight. I think it is inappropriately used if that is the SOLE purpose your Doc gave it to you. Of course, Docs have used amphetamines for years, so..... OK, considering that, it is a lesser evil. I think there are other ways to lose weight w/o these meds. I odn't know, are you terribly obesse? ( hope that doesn't offend) Yes, if the CAUSE of you having weight problem is rooted in depressive illness WB is for you. But I think your DOc should have TOLD you that. WB ,like I said, is NOT innocuous, it can have some serious side effects, including seizures. Do you drink? Use other meds like Valium? IF you quit one cold turkey, WB can give you a seizure. ASk your doc.
Posted by akrake on August 11, 2001, at 7:55:44
In reply to Wellbutrin and weight loss, posted by Anne1538 on August 10, 2001, at 17:20:34
> My Dr. just prescribed Wellbutrin to help me with weight loss. The problem is the only info I have come across is that for depression. Does this medicine help with weight loss and if so has anyone else had huge success with it?
Hi Anne....wellbutrin has helped my weight loss efforts....i'm on my 6th week (i think) and i'm down about 5-7 lbs. i've been actively trying to loose weight since October. after loosing 20 or so lbs. i was at a stand still until i started the meds....i've lost my appetite but find when i do get around to eating that I'm starving. it's not like i binge when i eat, but i do REALIZE that i'm hungry.
my weight gain was rooted in depression and anger. last year i decided to do something about the weight. this year i decided to do something about the pmdd related depression. the side effect of weight loss is just an added bonus.
amie
Posted by CLK on August 11, 2001, at 8:03:20
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and weight loss, posted by Anne1538 on August 10, 2001, at 21:56:34
Zyban (Wellbutrin in disguise) is used to help with smoking cessation programs - because it can act on those parts of the brain that deal with addiction.
My psychiatrist told me a fortunate side effect of Wellbutrin for me would be that my compulsive overeating (food addiction) cravings would most likely diminish.
To be honest, however, I would hesitate to use an antidepressant solely for weight-loss. Unless your doctor feels that your weight is a compulsive overeating/food addiction disorder.
I would definitely try to speak to him in more detail about this. Not that there are not several successful "off label" uses for a variety of drugs.
I would just want to clearly understand his reasoning.
Posted by Es on August 11, 2001, at 10:45:15
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and weight loss » Anne1538, posted by akrake on August 11, 2001, at 7:55:44
> > akrake, let me know how you are doing on your wellbutrin, just started it myself and it seems its effecting me the same as you, as I can go without eating, but when I do get hungry or eat, I am starving and tend to eat a lot.....take care...good luck....
Posted by Anne1538 on August 11, 2001, at 12:18:09
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and weight loss, posted by Es on August 11, 2001, at 10:45:15
I really want to thank you all for posting replys to my question. I am still a bit confused with the Wellbutrin thing but have not been on it a week yet so time will tell. I know when I was at the Dr.'s office last week he said if I wanted I could try something to help with my weight loss efforts. As far as being on this for depression I sure don't think so but we also all know that we can't be Miss Mary Sunshine 24/7, so still not sure what to think about this med. I am glad to hear from others who have taken or are taking this medicine and to find out how you are doing while on it. CONGRATULATIONS to ALL of you who have lost weight while being on this medicine, I am praying it somehow helps me. I am on Betapace for an arrythmia heart problem so the Dr. has to be really careful what he prescribes so as to not make my arrythmia worse or start it acting up, so my medicine choices where weight loss is concerned are a bit more limited because of the arrythmia thing. One last question do any of you notice that you have increased dry mouth, I sure do.
Posted by akrake on August 11, 2001, at 12:46:27
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and weight loss, posted by Es on August 11, 2001, at 10:45:15
> > > akrake, let me know how you are doing on your wellbutrin, just started it myself and it seems its effecting me the same as you, as I can go without eating, but when I do get hungry or eat, I am starving and tend to eat a lot.....take care...good luck....
hi es. i have my good days and bad days with the meds. earlier this week i had a really bad time and posted ALOT about my rages. the past 2 days have been ok.
the meds give me lots of energy....i cleaned out my kids drawers and made big piles for goodwill, consignment, summer, fall, etc. i would have never done all that in one day before...or if i'd started the project, i would have stopped before i'd finished.
as for the eating....i find i want more to eat in the evening....i guess that's old habit....when i wake i can go a couple of hours before i eat breakfast....BUT if i taste the kids lunch, i'll really want to eat it all....the wellbutrin makes me realize when i've had enough (which was a problem before...i would eat until i got sick).
AND, when i do start to eat, i feel like i'm starving...but as i eat, i realize i'm full....like the 2 veggie burritos i just ate....i should have only had one because my belly hurts now! but i probably won't eat again until 6p.
...is that the kind of stuff you wanted to know? if you want more specifics, let me know.
akrake
Posted by Es on August 11, 2001, at 15:28:14
In reply to Me and my Wellbutrin » Es, posted by akrake on August 11, 2001, at 12:46:27
> > > > akrake, let me know how you are doing on your wellbutrin, just started it myself and it seems its effecting me the same as you, as I can go without eating, but when I do get hungry or eat, I am starving and tend to eat a lot.....take care...good luck....
>
> hi es. i have my good days and bad days with the meds. earlier this week i had a really bad time and posted ALOT about my rages. the past 2 days have been ok.
>
> the meds give me lots of energy....i cleaned out my kids drawers and made big piles for goodwill, consignment, summer, fall, etc. i would have never done all that in one day before...or if i'd started the project, i would have stopped before i'd finished.
>
> as for the eating....i find i want more to eat in the evening....i guess that's old habit....when i wake i can go a couple of hours before i eat breakfast....BUT if i taste the kids lunch, i'll really want to eat it all....the wellbutrin makes me realize when i've had enough (which was a problem before...i would eat until i got sick).
>
> AND, when i do start to eat, i feel like i'm starving...but as i eat, i realize i'm full....like the 2 veggie burritos i just ate....i should have only had one because my belly hurts now! but i probably won't eat again until 6p.
>
> ...is that the kind of stuff you wanted to know? if you want more specifics, let me know.
>
> akrakeakrake, thank you again for sharing the info, I again, like you, did a lot of late spring cleaning, washing windows, dusting, etc. something I wouldn't have ordinarily done either. And this was done a 10:00 pm. very very unusual for me....but a welcomed experience....take care..God Bless
Posted by paxvox on August 11, 2001, at 20:07:00
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and weight loss, posted by Anne1538 on August 11, 2001, at 12:18:09
Anne,
Dry mouth or "cotton mouth" as we used to call it in the 70's, is fairly common with Wellbutrin. Drink plenty of water, and you will be OK. I am concerned that you mentioned a heart problem. You should be aware that WB can clearly cause tachycardia (rapid heart beat) as well as chest tightening and pain. This is very dose-related. You did not (I think) mention what dose you are taking. I know that your Doc must be aware of these affects, if he can read his PDR. Either way, it takes about 3-4 weeks to adjust to WB, after that it is well tolerated, except for the aforementioned side effects. It can also cause insomnia by the way.
PAX
Posted by Anne1538 on August 11, 2001, at 21:50:52
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and weight loss » Anne1538, posted by paxvox on August 11, 2001, at 20:07:00
Pax, My arrythmia problem is a skipping of beats at times but usually the betapace keeps that from happening. And YES I was very sure to mention to my Dr. about certain meds not interacting with my arrythmia problem and make it worse. I haven't had much of anything, side effect wise except the dry mouth. I take 150mg. once a day for a wk. and then twice a day after that. Not sure why that but I am trusting the Dr. knows best or at least I pray he does. I will not at all hesitate to call him if I feel this medicine is causing my arrythmia to go out of wack. Thanks so much for the info.
I am really hoping this medicine helps with weight loss. I would love to lose 75 lbs or more. It seems like I just need a boost to help my metabolism or something.
Anne:)
Posted by Anne1538 on August 11, 2001, at 21:51:05
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and weight loss » Anne1538, posted by paxvox on August 11, 2001, at 20:07:00
Pax, My arrythmia problem is a skipping of beats at times but usually the betapace keeps that from happening. And YES I was very sure to mention to my Dr. about certain meds not interacting with my arrythmia problem and make it worse. I haven't had much of anything, side effect wise except the dry mouth. I take 150mg. once a day for a wk. and then twice a day after that. Not sure why that but I am trusting the Dr. knows best or at least I pray he does. I will not at all hesitate to call him if I feel this medicine is causing my arrythmia to go out of wack. Thanks so much for the info.
I am really hoping this medicine helps with weight loss. I would love to lose 75 lbs or more. It seems like I just need a boost to help my metabolism or something.
Anne:)
Posted by paxvox on August 12, 2001, at 7:17:12
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and weight loss, posted by Anne1538 on August 11, 2001, at 21:51:05
OK, Anne,
He is bringing your dose up according to the SOP for Wellbutrin i.e. too much too fast causes more problems. I suspect he is aiming for the target dose that I have been using, as I have mentioned, which is 150 SR x 2. My advice, take the two doses about 7 hours apart. He may say one in morning, and one at night, but once you start sthat second pill, you will see what we mean about insomnia. Personally, I take dose 1 at 05:45 when I get up, and dose 2 at noon after lunch. There is no question in my mind that WB will increase your metabolism. However, I offer this caveat:
My weight may have dropped 5 pounds the first year I was taking WB BUT maintaining my same diet. I have always had a fairly Spartan diet:
plain bagel and coffee for breakfast, turkey sandwich, bag of celery & carrotts, a navel orange and two popcorn cakes and a big glass of water for lunch. For dinner, I had a "regular" meal, as low-fat as possible. Now, here's where the change began... I used to be a fairly regular beer drinker, maybe 2-3 on most days. In July 2000, I quit drinking totally, and went from 195 then to 163 by this July. So if you drink at all, I would suggest you stop, yes I know a glass of wine is nice every now and then, but I quit 100% because I knew I would gradually increase if I started again. That is where the calories where, and there are well-established links between drinking and increased appetite. If you D0N'T drink, then look closely at your carb intake.
Posted by akrake on August 12, 2001, at 8:09:52
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and weight loss, posted by Anne1538 on August 11, 2001, at 21:51:05
I take 150mg. once a day for a wk. and then twice a day after that.
hey anne. i really think this is a good way to do it. my doc had me take 1 pill for 3 days and then increased it to 2/day. by the 5th day i had a terrible headache that wouldn't quit....for 3 days....luckily i was visiting my parents with the kids so they were able to help out. by the time i had to drive the 300 miles home, the headaches were gone (somewhat!).
> I am really hoping this medicine helps with weight loss. I would love to lose 75 lbs or more. It seems like I just need a boost to help my metabolism or something.
>i thought it was interesing that you were given wellbutrin for weightloss.....i haven't run across anything saying that there have been studies about wellburtrin and weightloss...although, i'm sure if you did a google search you'd fine something.
in this weeks issue of the archives of internal medicine, there is an article about the long-term pharmacotherapy of obesity. in it they discuss specific drug used on and off lable to treat obesity. they mention SSRI's (specifically fluoxetine and sertaline...prozac and zoloft) as being used for short term weightloss .....specifically during the first 20 weeks....prozac had greater sucess....the main point of the article was that these ssri's seemed to wear off abter about 5 months with no weight loss at 1 year (they level off).
now, why did i copy all of that? i don't know...i guess to let you know that there are other drugs out there that do the same thing....but that they have different side effects than wellbutrin.
my friend is taking paxil for social anxiety disorder and she says she has more energy and less appetite than before....not sure if it's the drug or just because she's feeling better about her self....but whatever works is good for her.
amie
Posted by allisonm on August 12, 2001, at 20:40:30
In reply to Wellbutrin and weight loss, posted by Anne1538 on August 10, 2001, at 17:20:34
I started WB in June of 1999 to augment another antidepressant. I still am on it. Have been on it up to 400mg/day. I have lost 30 lbs. I think it's been the most effective of any of the 7 drugs I've tried. I like it.
Good luck.
Posted by Amy Blue on August 13, 2001, at 14:13:43
In reply to Wellbutrin and weight loss, posted by Anne1538 on August 10, 2001, at 17:20:34
Is a standard dose of Remeron (30-45 mgs) combined with a low dose of Wellbutrin (not more than 150 mgs/day) a safe combo? Wellbutrin to offset weight gain and offset daytime grogginess from Remeron. This combo to treat depression with insomnia.
Thoughts? Thanks in advance - especially would like to hear from anyone who's tried this, good or bad.
I want to suggest this to my very cautious pdoc. I can't tolerate any SSRIs, Serzone didn't work, and my pdoc is very hesitant to try "cocktails." Thanks.
Posted by Es on August 13, 2001, at 17:59:59
In reply to to anyone/all Re: Wellbutrin question, posted by Amy Blue on August 13, 2001, at 14:13:43
> Is a standard dose of Remeron (30-45 mgs) combined with a low dose of Wellbutrin (not more than 150 mgs/day) a safe combo? Wellbutrin to offset weight gain and offset daytime grogginess from Remeron. This combo to treat depression with insomnia.
>
> Thoughts? Thanks in advance - especially would like to hear from anyone who's tried this, good or bad.
>
> I want to suggest this to my very cautious pdoc. I can't tolerate any SSRIs, Serzone didn't work, and my pdoc is very hesitant to try "cocktails." Thanks.I have been on wellbutrin for 12 days and so far the only side effect I had was after being on it for 4 days, I was suppose to up the dosage from 150mg to 300, and be sure to take it 8 hours apart, which I did do, but I had anxiety so bad I had to go back to 150mg for two more days and then I went to the 300mg. I have been doing very well, so far, so good...I havn't been on it that long, so I don't know if this will be of any help you or not, but thought I would reply to you....
Posted by dandrews1138 on March 10, 2004, at 17:25:26
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and weight loss, posted by paxvox on August 10, 2001, at 21:05:20
It's really funny to be reading all of these things about Wellbutrin and weight loss. I got here because I was looking to see if Wellbutrin caused weight gain. I've been on it for a year or so. I had gained weight early on, but spent 4 months very seriously dieting and lost 45 pounds. I started excersizing a lot during that time and still do.
What's odd is that I have had a very hard time losing any more weight and had stabilized for over 4 months. Last week, my metabolism seemed to change drastically and I started losing weight (around 5 pounds in less than a week) even though I was not eating carefully. The only thing I can think of is that I had run out of Wellbutrin during that time. Now that I'm back on it, I've already gained back 2 pounds.
During that week, I was hungry constantly, which is an indicator to me that my metabolism was in overdrive.
I've noticed statements like "a small percentage actually gain weight on Wellbutrin" and "it (Wellbutrin) clearly "speeds" one up."
Putting these two things together, my guess is that it "speeds up" someone taking it for depression, but "slows down" someone taking it for ADD/ADHD, like I am. It's already known that cocaine and caffiene have the opposite effect on a person with ADD/ADHD. Specifically, they both have a "slowing" or "calming" effect, quite the opposite effect they have on a normal person. It seems to me that this may be what's happening to me with the Wellbutrin.
The problem is that my temper gets so bad without it that I'm afraid to test my theory.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.