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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by lif101part2 on February 21, 2008, at 21:45:03
I have gained 70 lbs on Zyprexa and my dr wants me to try topamax and/or metformin to try and get rid of the weight. Has anyone tried these drugs?
Posted by 4WD on February 26, 2008, at 17:53:16
In reply to Any meds to counteract zyprexa weight gain?, posted by lif101part2 on February 21, 2008, at 21:45:03
Well, I haven't tried any of the drugs you asked about but I can sure tell you that if I take Provigil, I have no appetite at all.
I'm not longer on Provigil but it sure keeps me
from wanting anything to eat.Marsha
Posted by Racer on February 27, 2008, at 11:44:58
In reply to Re: Any meds to counteract zyprexa weight gain? » lif101part2, posted by 4WD on February 26, 2008, at 17:53:16
Unfortunately, appetite has little to do with the weight gain from many of these drugs. While Provigil can be a very helpful medication for many people, it's unlikely to have much effect on weight gain from other medications.
Both Topomax and Glucophage have had some success in countering the weight gain from various other medications, including Zyprexa. Both come with their own set of adverse effects, so it's hard to say which is better. I guess I'd suggest trying both to see which is more effective for you, and which adverse effects are more troublesome for you. If neither is effective and tolerable, it might be worth replacing Zyprexa with a less obesogenic alternative. What option might be best for you depends in large degree on what you're taking Zyprexa for.
Topomax is known to cause some cognitive dulling -- in fact, some people call it "Dopomax." I've heard two suggestions for countering this effect: a slow titration from a low starting dose; and bicarbonate. Another effect reported on Babble was hair loss, although I'm not sure how common that is. I have to admit, I can't remember other effects reported, because my brain has recently turned to swiss cheese. As far as the weight effects, it seems pretty effective.
Glucophage is a diabetes medication, and can cause some other adverse effects. I'm less familiar with it, so I won't comment.
Good luck, whatever you decide.
Posted by bleauberry on February 27, 2008, at 18:52:37
In reply to Any meds to counteract zyprexa weight gain?, posted by lif101part2 on February 21, 2008, at 21:45:03
I have the opposite problem. I want to gain weight. Pretty sad when one has to look at zyprexa as the best way to do that when nothing else works. I wish I had your problem.
But what can you do? Well, these things should help, but it would take time, probably months. One guy I know has a goal of losing 1 pound per week. He has lost a lot of weight. Basically...lots of water to feel full; mostly fresh fruits and veggies, raw uncooked as much as possible; a fast food joint once a month but no more than that, same with pastries, sweets, ice creamss, pizzas, etc. Moderate amounts of lean protein. Low to moderate amounts of g rains. Several small eatings throughout the day rather than 3 primary ones. Boring? Yeah. But just think, you will LOVE that once a month big Mac, or that once a month bowl of ice creams, or that once a month hershey's bar, or whatever. When you see one pound or more coming off in a week, it will generate the excitement to stick with it. After a couple months, I know it is weird, you will actually come to favor your new diet over the old.
I know in a perfect world we just want to take some pill and have all our problems go away without any side effects. In the real world that just hardly ever happens. People have to manage their own side effects no matter what the drug is or what the condition being treated is. If the drug is worth keeping, then managing the side effects is worth the effort.
Posted by lif101part2 on February 28, 2008, at 13:23:55
In reply to Re: Any meds to counteract zyprexa weight gain? » lif101part2, posted by 4WD on February 26, 2008, at 17:53:16
Is Provigil like speed? Does it act on epinephrine? I think it would make me completely manic...
Posted by lif101part2 on February 28, 2008, at 13:25:26
In reply to Re: Any meds to counteract zyprexa weight gain?, posted by Racer on February 27, 2008, at 11:44:58
I am taking Zyprexa for my mania; I am bipolar. It is the only atypical antipsychotic that has worked for me. I intend on trying Topamax but I am hesitant due to the side effects I hear about. Did you experience any side effects from Topamax?
Posted by Phillipa on February 28, 2008, at 21:10:49
In reply to Re: Any meds to counteract zyprexa weight gain?, posted by lif101part2 on February 28, 2008, at 13:25:26
If your mania is only controlled by zyprexa then stay on the med and discuss other options with your doc. Good luck to you. Phillipa
Posted by Dopamine123 on March 1, 2008, at 15:24:47
In reply to Re: Any meds to counteract zyprexa weight gain? » lif101part2, posted by Phillipa on February 28, 2008, at 21:10:49
Metformin might be the best thing to try of those two. It doesn't have any substantial effect on brain chemistry and is used mainly for diabetics. I think it increases insulin sensitivty and decreases glucose levels. Its also supposed to be a good anti-aging drug as well.
http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/about/news/release/2006/12-diabetes-medicine-study.htm
"In recent years, the use of atypical antispsychotic medications to treat psychiatric illness in children and adolescents has grown dramatically. While these medications, such as Risperdal® (risperidone), Zyprexa® (olanzapine) and Seroquel® (quetiapine), effectively control many symptoms, their success is also associated with substantial weight gain and even diabetes, causing many people to stop taking them.
But a new study shows that metformin, an oral diabetes medicine that helps control blood sugar levels, not only reduces weight gain but decreases insulin sensitivity. The finding may "improve patient adherence to treatment and thus treatment outcome," according to David Klein, MD, PhD, an endocrinologist at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and lead author of the study."http://www.antiaging-systems.com/a2z/metformin.htm
"Metformin lowers the levels of glucose (sugar) in blood in three different ways. First, it reduces the amount of glucose produced by your liver; second, it reduces the amount of glucose absorbed from food through your stomach; and third, it improves the effectiveness of insulin in the body in reducing glucose already in the blood. This triple action makes Metformin ideal for treating type II diabetes."
"Metformin also lowers cholesterol levels and helps prevent low-density lipoproteins (bad cholesterol) from attaching to blood platelets and arteries, thereby reducing the risk of blood clotting. Due to the sugar stabilizing properties of Metformin, it is also a useful aid for dieters, helping to prevent sugar cravings."
Posted by lif101part2 on March 2, 2008, at 1:06:06
In reply to Metformin, posted by Dopamine123 on March 1, 2008, at 15:24:47
Thank you so much for the information; I found it to be very helpful. I was wondering if you would suggest that I try Topamax with Metformin or just Metformin by itself. My Dr. wants to try Topamax 1st... Have a great rest of the weekend :)
Posted by bulldog2 on March 24, 2008, at 18:57:43
In reply to Any meds to counteract zyprexa weight gain?, posted by lif101part2 on February 21, 2008, at 21:45:03
> I have gained 70 lbs on Zyprexa and my dr wants me to try topamax and/or metformin to try and get rid of the weight. Has anyone tried these drugs?
Thyroid (t3) and or a dopamine agonist might help.
Posted by Phillipa on March 24, 2008, at 19:30:10
In reply to Re: Any meds to counteract zyprexa weight gain?, posted by bulldog2 on March 24, 2008, at 18:57:43
Did you ever take T3? I did it only lasts a few hours according to endo and it was like coffee. Phillipa
Posted by maree on May 13, 2008, at 23:23:20
In reply to Re: Any meds to counteract zyprexa weight gain? » lif101part2, posted by 4WD on February 26, 2008, at 17:53:16
If this is the same as Modavigil, then just taking that med for ONE night, made me gain about 3 pound, over ten days, of square dancing, I gained 7 pound. And, NO, it doe not increase appetite, I did not eat more than normal, I suspect that it just makes insulin spike, and although that gives the patient energy, it also encourages weight gain.
I did love the feeling of not being tired, all the time, though.
Posted by maree on June 26, 2008, at 0:46:03
In reply to Metformin, posted by Dopamine123 on March 1, 2008, at 15:24:47
[But a new study shows that metformin, an oral diabetes medicine that helps control blood sugar levels, not only reduces weight gain but decreases insulin sensitivity.]But, it has been my experience that it is the flooding of my body with insulin that gives me energy, without that, I might as well take a placebo. I tried an OTC diet medication that blocked carbs, and it made me so very tired after the meal, since I did not get any sort of insulin spike. I presume I would get the same reaction from Metformin.
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