Antidepressants And Weight Gain

Weight gain is a reported side effect of nearly all antidepressants. Weight gain is a relatively common problem during both acute and long-term treatment with antidepressants, and it is an important contributing factor to noncompliance. However, it is not clearly known how antidepressant medications cause weight gain.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) appear to slow metabolism and may promote carbohydrate cravings. Because tertiary tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, imipramine, and doxepin are stronger histamine blockers than are secondary tricyclics such as desipramine and nortriptyline, the tertiary tricyclic drugs are more likely to cause weight gain.

Mirtazapine (Remeron) may be placed between the SSRIs and the TCAs in terms of relative risk for weight gain. Weight gain is the most commonly reported side-effect of this Antidepressant. It is likely to be related to weight gain in both the short term and the long term through blockade of histamine H1 and serotonin 2C receptors. The weight gain may occur even during the first 4 weeks of treatment with mirtazapin.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) cause less weight gain than tricyclic antidepressants. Weight gain is less likely with SSRIs when they are used for 6 months or less. SSRIs-induced weight change is probably related to alteration in serotonin 2C receptor activity, appetite increase, carbohydrate craving, or recovery from clinical depression. Paroxetine (Paxil) appears to cause the greatest incidence of weight gain than the other SSRIs.

Venlafaxine (Effexor) appears to be a weight-neutral antidepressant.

Bupropion (Wellbutrin) is unlikely to cause weight gain, and is commonly associated with weight loss. Its chemical structure is similar to that of diethylpropion (Tenuate), an appetite suppressant. A number of clinical studies have shown it’s weight loss potential. The results of the 48-week double-blind, placebo- controlled trial have shown, that bupropion SR is associated with a 24-week weight loss of 10.1% and sustained weight losses at 48 weeks.

Tenuate: Should A Diet Pill Be Part Of Your Weight Loss Checklist?

Maybe your doctor suggested it. Maybe your favorite outfit doesn’t fit you just the way you like, or maybe you’ve just decided that you want to be the healthiest you that you can be. Whatever the reason, it’s time to put a weight-loss program into place.

Your weight-loss checklist might look like this:

√ Eat healthier (include more veggies and fruit!).

√ Get notebook to keep track of calories.

√ Check-up with Dr. Rogers to get ready for exercise.

√ Exercise! (3 days week to start).

√ Calendar to keep track of progress?

√ Diet pills?

Hmmm…what about diet pills? If you have a high body-mass index (height-to-weight ratio) you might want to talk with your doctor about Tenuate.

What’s Tenuate?

Tenuate, or diethylpropion hydrochloride, reduces your appetite. It acts on your body the same way that amphetamine weight-loss pills of yesteryear worked on 50’s movie stars. BUT Tenuate doesn’t cause the tidal wave of anxiety, jitteriness, and sleeplessness those older drugs caused.

Taking Tenuate is like getting the weight-loss effect of amphetamines without having to take amphetamines!

How Does Tenuate Fit into my Weight Loss Program?

Tenuate is used to jump start a diet and exercise program. You will feel less hungry as you adjust to eating a healthier, lower-calorie diet, which makes a new diet much easier to stick to! You can make your daily Tenuate dose into your progress calendar - you and your doctor will probably decide to try Tenuate for 8 to 12 weeks for the best effect.

It Sounds So Simple - What’s the Catch?

There is no catch - it’s as simple as it sounds. The key is to make sure that this drug is the right one for you. When you head to your doctor to talk about weight-loss, make sure you’ve got:

√ An exercise plan to discuss with her, to make sure it’s right for your current fitness level.

√ A list of the drugs you take regularly, prescription and non-prescription.

√ A list of health issues (such as high blood pressure, seizures, pregnancy or breast feeding).

Tenuate can’t be mixed with some antidepressants, antiseizure medications, and medications that can raise your heart rate, so bringing in your list of medications is key, as is your list of health issues.

The Plan’s In Motion

For the first few days on Tenuate, some people might notice some mild side effects (like constipation or other stomach upset or dizziness), but many people don’t have them. While you’re starting and taking Tenuate, keep this checklist handy:

√ No operating heavy machinery! (Tenuate can affect your coordination especially when you’re starting on it).

√ No driving until I’m used to Tenuate (good time stroll to the local art galleries and cinemas, and let the spouse chauffeur the kids for a change!).

√ Check in with side effects: worse? not going away? (If it’s been a week and they’re not disappearing, call the doctor!).

√ Do I feel like I need more of the drug or I’m scared of going without it? (This drug can be habit-forming, so you should let the doctor know if you’re having these sorts of feelings).

The last checkpoint is probably the most satisfying of all: when Tenuate has jump-started your weight-loss, check in with your doctor about going off the drug. She may tell you to stop taking the pills, or to slowly taper the dose. The end result is a great start a long term weight-loss plan and a healthier you!