Posted by JohnX2 on March 17, 2002, at 2:15:57
In reply to Weight Gain from TCAs and Benzos for Sleep » JohnX2, posted by fachad on March 17, 2002, at 1:46:58
Which antihistamine TCA's caused the weight gain?A lot of these medicines block the "alpha-1" noradrenaline receptor as well as the histamine receptor. This "alpha-1" receptor affects your metabolism. Blockade of alpha-1 receptors or antihistamines can induce drowsiness.
I gained quite a bit of weight on Zyprexa and Serzone (both alpha-1 antagonists), except when I also used Topamax, then I didn't. Zyprexa and Serzone block the alpha-1 receptor but don't do squat with antihistamine (in fact Zyprexa is a bit pro-histamine).
Remeron I never gained weight on. Remeron is only an antihistamine, it doesn't goof with that alpha-1 receptor. I thought for sure I would gain weight, but I didn't.
John
> John,
>
> Yes, I gain weight quite quickly and dramatically on anti-histamine TCAs. Even 5mg/day of doxepin (which is enough to work for me for sleep) packs on about 2-3 lbs a week.
>
> This weight gain is present even if I lower caloric intake and increase exercise. I am an honest and vigilant self-observer, so I know I'm not just deluding myself here. It has something to do with energy balance and fat storing mechanisms.
>
> I haven't tried remeron, but I've heard it's worse than doxepin for weight. That's also why I've stayed away from Risperdal, Seroquel and Zyperexa.
>
> The reason I am reluctant to go back to Ambien is that it is expensive and it only works for a few hours and then I wake back up.
>
> So benzos are looking good to me - I just don't want to go down some primrose path that will lead me to more misery.
>
>
>
>
>
> >
> > Hi Fachad,
> >
> > This is my "opinion":
> > I don't feel that benzodiazepines should be prescribed purely for sleep disorders. The risk/reward doesn't seem to be there.
> >
> > I think you indicated earlier that you do not tolerate well medications like Remeron because of weight gain or something? is this correct?
> >
> > Regards
> > John
> >
> > > I have posted a few times here on my sleep woes.
> > >
> > > It really seems to me like benzos are the best options given the problems I've had with everything else. But some have posted that benzos screw up sleep in the long run and end up causing more problems than they appear to solve in the short term. The last thing I need is to develop tolerance, have an unpleasant withdrawal, and have worse sleep problems that I started out with.
> > >
> > > I could always just go back to Ambien.
> > >
> > > I've never had any kind of substance abuse problems, even though I've had free access to problematic substances (e.g. narcotic pain meds, stimulants) from my docs for various things. Are benzos more likely than those meds to cause problems?
> > >
> > > If it's really as bad as some say, I'd just like people to speak up, don't worry about coming off as an anti-benzo fanatic, and give me adequate warning. I give more credence to the stuff I read here than just about anything else, other than my own first hand experience.
poster:JohnX2
thread:98391
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020313/msgs/98397.html