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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Sarah T. on August 4, 2005, at 21:49:30
Do you know why certain medications cause carbohydrate cravings? I used to think those medicines just lowered blood sugar drastically and therefore caused the cravings; now, however, I think it's probably more complicated than that. Any ideas?
Posted by NARCOLEPTIC on August 4, 2005, at 22:16:04
In reply to Question about med-induced carbohydrate cravings, posted by Sarah T. on August 4, 2005, at 21:49:30
> Do you know why certain medications cause carbohydrate cravings? I used to think those medicines just lowered blood sugar drastically and therefore caused the cravings; now, however, I think it's probably more complicated than that. Any ideas?
I take Ritalin for my ADHD and about 45 minutes after I 've taken my first 20 mg dose or even 10 mg dose, I get extremely hungry. The SSRI's on the other hand just kills my appetite.
I think it has something to do with alpha receptors and insulin release.
Ritalin just works differently on me. I go quiet. Think more rational, hand tremor stops, heart even slows down abit, i see better hear better, It just amazing and puzzling at the same time.
Hope this helps
Posted by Sarah T. on August 4, 2005, at 22:38:24
In reply to Re: Question about med-induced carbohydrate cravings, posted by NARCOLEPTIC on August 4, 2005, at 22:16:04
Hi Narcoleptic,
That's so interesting that Ritalin makes you hungry. Does the hunger continue throughout the day? What kind of Ritalin do you take (immediate release, Concerta, or another sustained release)? How many milligrams do you take?I get quiet and focused on stimulants also, although Ritalin was not my favorite.
SSRI's suppressed my appetite, but eventually (after the first six weeks or so), I gained weight in spite of of lowered appetite. Somehow, the effect of ssri's on my metabolism seemed independent of their effect on my appetite.
Posted by Shawn. T. on August 5, 2005, at 1:37:24
In reply to Question about med-induced carbohydrate cravings, posted by Sarah T. on August 4, 2005, at 21:49:30
One mechanism involved in some medication- induced carbohydrate cravings is the blockade of serotonin 5-HT2C receptors. When certain 5-HT2C receptors are activated, they cause the release of a peptide called alpha-MSH from neurons in the hypothalamus. alpha-MSH activates MC3 and MC4 melanocortin receptors to reduce appetite. So when 5-HT2C receptors are blocked by a 5-HT2C antagonist like Remeron, alpha-MSH release is probably reduced. The big picture is more complicated than that, but it's a good example of what we do know about the phenomenon. Drugs that affect the melanocortin receptors, especially MC4, are currently in development. In the distant future, these drugs will likely be used to counteract the effects of certain medications on appetite.
Shawn
Posted by spriggy on August 5, 2005, at 12:31:13
In reply to Re: Question about med-induced carbohydrate cravings » Sarah T., posted by Shawn. T. on August 5, 2005, at 1:37:24
I asked my cousin who is a pharmacist and she told, me certain antidepressents can cause your dopamine to be lowered- when that happens, it generally causes you to crave carbs.
I have no idea if that's true, just what she said.
Posted by MidnightBlue on August 5, 2005, at 15:18:44
In reply to Re: Question about med-induced carbohydrate cravings, posted by spriggy on August 5, 2005, at 12:31:13
Spriggy,
That sounds good to me because Wellbutrin (which makes me less hungry) raises dopamine.
MB
Posted by Declan on August 6, 2005, at 16:14:18
In reply to Re: Question about med-induced carbohydrate cravings » Sarah T., posted by Shawn. T. on August 5, 2005, at 1:37:24
Hey Shawn, does this information imply that metformin would be useless for carbohydrate weight gain? What do you think?
Declan
Posted by Sarah T. on August 6, 2005, at 23:08:55
In reply to Re: Question about med-induced carbohydrate cravings » Sarah T., posted by Shawn. T. on August 5, 2005, at 1:37:24
Hi Shawn,
You are so knowledgeable! Thanks so much for this very interesting explanation.
S.
Posted by Sarah T. on August 6, 2005, at 23:11:26
In reply to Re: Question about med-induced carbohydrate cravings, posted by spriggy on August 5, 2005, at 12:31:13
Hi spriggy,
Yes, I think you're right, but I think that it is dopamine's effect in just certain parts of the brain that causes the craving. I can't remember exactly which parts. I'll try to find out.
Posted by Shawn. T. on August 7, 2005, at 20:49:15
In reply to Re: Question about med-induced carbohydrate cravings » Shawn. T., posted by Declan on August 6, 2005, at 16:14:18
I don't think that the imformation implies anything about how effective metformin would be for drug- induced carbohydrate craving and weight gain. I would need to see some clinical trial results to make a judgment about that possibility.
Shawn
This is the end of the thread.
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