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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jms600 on March 21, 2008, at 18:45:23
Hi everyone
Has anyone any experience on the use of weightloss medications while taking antidepressants / antipsychotics??
Back in December I started on Remeron, which piled the pounds on me. It didn't seem to help my anxiety, so my psychiatrist recently took me off it and started me on Lexapro. While that doesn't seem to have added to my weight gain, the 5mg of Zyprexa - which my psychiatrist started me on 10 days ago - is making me eat and eat and my weight is starting to increase again.
I'm making a concerted effort to get more exercise and get to the gym more. I'm also trying Xenical (Orlistat) which has rather unpleasant side effects. However, I'm finding that I'm still eating and eating, so I'm considering trying a appetite suppressant.
I've briefly looked at drugs, such as Reductil (Sibutramine) and Acomplia (rimonabant).
Basically I want to find out if:
A) These drugs are safe to take with Lexapro and Zyprexa, and,
B) Do they severely increase anxiety? I suffer from GAD and panic disorder. A minor increase in anxiety I might just be able to cope with, but I want to avoid anything which will make my anxiety bad again.Could anyone offer any advice??
Thanks!
Posted by Jay_Bravest_Face on March 21, 2008, at 19:56:52
In reply to Weightloss medications, posted by jms600 on March 21, 2008, at 18:45:23
I don't mean to scare you, but I'd really be careful before you start any of the weight-loss meds you mentioned. Both rimonabant and sibutramine have been shown to have some serious psychiatric and physical side effects.
Best wishes,
Jay
Posted by Phillipa on March 21, 2008, at 21:23:06
In reply to Re: Caution...Be careful..., posted by Jay_Bravest_Face on March 21, 2008, at 19:56:52
I think xenical keeps you running to the bathroom. Please correct me if wrong as I'm thinking of the one that gets rid of fat . Phillipa
Posted by yxibow on March 22, 2008, at 0:32:53
In reply to Re: Caution...Be careful..., posted by Phillipa on March 21, 2008, at 21:23:06
> I think xenical keeps you running to the bathroom. Please correct me if wrong as I'm thinking of the one that gets rid of fat . Phillipa
Yep -- it blocks 30% of fat from entering your body so unless you're on a high fat diet it is pointless. If you are, you can get anything from leakage to splattering, depending on how it reacts with your system. This effect may or may not reduce.
Posted by Racer on March 22, 2008, at 0:43:08
In reply to Weightloss medications, posted by jms600 on March 21, 2008, at 18:45:23
It sounds as though you're less looking for a weight loss medication, as you are looking for a medication to mitigate the weight gain from other medications.
That isn't just semantics, as it sounds as though you've found.
Based on what you're currently taking, you're most likely going to need to talk to your doctor about prescription medications. The two which are most discussed are metformin and Topomax. Both have some rather significant side effects, so you'll have to discuss with your doctor whether one or the other is appropriate in your situation.
Before you get to that point, you might want to try Pepcid or Axid. Both are helpful for some people in countering the obesogenic effects of many medications. Since they're OTC, and fairly cheap, you can try them out before talking to your doctor. If it's going to help, it will help right away.
Good luck.
Posted by pdg1234567 on March 22, 2008, at 14:33:10
In reply to Medications to mitigate weight gain » jms600, posted by Racer on March 22, 2008, at 0:43:08
Racer -
How do these meds help in weight lose?
Before you get to that point, you might want to try Pepcid or Axid. Both are helpful for some people in countering the obesogenic effects of many medications
Posted by jms600 on March 23, 2008, at 15:29:29
In reply to Re: Medications to mitigate weight gain, posted by pdg1234567 on March 22, 2008, at 14:33:10
> Racer -
>
> How do these meds help in weight lose?
>
>
> Before you get to that point, you might want to try Pepcid or Axid. Both are helpful for some people in countering the obesogenic effects of many medicationsI think it has something to do with their effects on the Histamine (H2) receptors in the brain. Perhaps Racer could advise...?
Posted by Racer on March 24, 2008, at 9:01:08
In reply to Re: Medications to mitigate weight gain, posted by jms600 on March 23, 2008, at 15:29:29
As far as I'm aware, it has less to do with the H2 inhibition, and more to do with the effects of the drugs: The stomach irritation some of these medications cause can be mistaken for hunger by some people, and the irritated stomach can be soothed by food for most people. To the extent that weight gain comes from increased appetite and/or increased intake of calories, these medications can help.
I know they help me. I freaked out over increased appetite on some medication, and told my pdoc I wouldn't continue it unless my appetite got under control. This is what he recommended I try until my next appointment, and it's been very helpful.
Hope that helps, and hope it works for others, too.
Posted by bulldog2 on March 24, 2008, at 10:28:19
In reply to Weightloss medications, posted by jms600 on March 21, 2008, at 18:45:23
> Hi everyone
>
> Has anyone any experience on the use of weightloss medications while taking antidepressants / antipsychotics??
>
> Back in December I started on Remeron, which piled the pounds on me. It didn't seem to help my anxiety, so my psychiatrist recently took me off it and started me on Lexapro. While that doesn't seem to have added to my weight gain, the 5mg of Zyprexa - which my psychiatrist started me on 10 days ago - is making me eat and eat and my weight is starting to increase again.
>
> I'm making a concerted effort to get more exercise and get to the gym more. I'm also trying Xenical (Orlistat) which has rather unpleasant side effects. However, I'm finding that I'm still eating and eating, so I'm considering trying a appetite suppressant.
>
> I've briefly looked at drugs, such as Reductil (Sibutramine) and Acomplia (rimonabant).
>
> Basically I want to find out if:
> A) These drugs are safe to take with Lexapro and Zyprexa, and,
> B) Do they severely increase anxiety? I suffer from GAD and panic disorder. A minor increase in anxiety I might just be able to cope with, but I want to avoid anything which will make my anxiety bad again.
>
> Could anyone offer any advice??
>
> Thanks!Some of these drugs induce weight gain through overeating..But I have a feeling prolactin is a big culprit i weight gain. Prolactin goes up and hgh and thyroid goes down. Have your doctor measure these values and take appropriate action if these values are low.
Posted by Zyprexa on March 24, 2008, at 14:25:10
In reply to Weightloss medications, posted by jms600 on March 21, 2008, at 18:45:23
Taking the diabetes medication metformin seems to help me. Not only because zyprexa can give you diabetes, but also helped me keep the weight off.
Posted by pdg1234567 on March 24, 2008, at 16:07:42
In reply to Re: Medications to mitigate weight gain, posted by Racer on March 24, 2008, at 9:01:08
> As far as I'm aware, it has less to do with the H2 inhibition, and more to do with the effects of the drugs: The stomach irritation some of these medications cause can be mistaken for hunger by some people, and the irritated stomach can be soothed by food for most people. To the extent that weight gain comes from increased appetite and/or increased intake of calories, these medications can help.
Thanks for the tip.
This is the end of the thread.
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