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Is It Safe To Have Sertraline Along With Cyproheptadine For Depression?
Question: Hi, I'm currently taking sertraline for anxiety and depression, however I've been gradually losing weight over the past 6 months even though I've only been taking sertraline for a couple of months. I've been doing some research into cyproheptadine and it's effect on seratonin serum levels, and whilst i understand that it may somewhat counteract the sertraline, would this be a viable solution to help gain weight?
I currently train in the gym 4 times a week, however i rarely have an appetite and have to force myself to eat. Eating is something that i have to consciously think about, and could happily go all day without it other than the shaking and feeling light headed.
i currently weigh 70KG, with my ideal weight being closer to 80KG.
my intention was to maintain the sertraline and supplement this with cyproheptadine at 4mg 3 times per day for 10 weeks, then gradually reducing the dose whilst trying to maintain the additional bodyweight gained.
any advice you could provide would be greatly appreciated.
Regards, XXXXXXX
I currently train in the gym 4 times a week, however i rarely have an appetite and have to force myself to eat. Eating is something that i have to consciously think about, and could happily go all day without it other than the shaking and feeling light headed.
i currently weigh 70KG, with my ideal weight being closer to 80KG.
my intention was to maintain the sertraline and supplement this with cyproheptadine at 4mg 3 times per day for 10 weeks, then gradually reducing the dose whilst trying to maintain the additional bodyweight gained.
any advice you could provide would be greatly appreciated.
Regards, XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Cyproheptadine may be helpful
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question.
Cyproheptadine has many uses and it may be used short term, for up to 12 weeks, for improving appetite. As you already have mentioned it may somewhat decrease the effectiveness of the sertraline.
If you have an overactive thyroid (as you mentioned as a possibility) this could be the cause of your lack of appetite and weight loss. I would first make sure that the hyperthyroidism is corrected, because then you may not need the cyproheptadine.
You need to consider the severity of your depression and anxiety before you consider a medication that could reduce the effectiveness of the sertraline. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water and try snacking on healthy calorie dense foods such as nuts.
Until things have resolved consider making a commitment to sitting down and eating a meal 3 times a day whether you feel like it or not.
I hope this issue is resolved for you soon.
Thanks for using HCM.
Cyproheptadine may be helpful
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question.
Cyproheptadine has many uses and it may be used short term, for up to 12 weeks, for improving appetite. As you already have mentioned it may somewhat decrease the effectiveness of the sertraline.
If you have an overactive thyroid (as you mentioned as a possibility) this could be the cause of your lack of appetite and weight loss. I would first make sure that the hyperthyroidism is corrected, because then you may not need the cyproheptadine.
You need to consider the severity of your depression and anxiety before you consider a medication that could reduce the effectiveness of the sertraline. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water and try snacking on healthy calorie dense foods such as nuts.
Until things have resolved consider making a commitment to sitting down and eating a meal 3 times a day whether you feel like it or not.
I hope this issue is resolved for you soon.
Thanks for using HCM.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
thankyou for the helpful response.
my blood tests are booked in for this afternoon, how long would a thyroid function test typically take to come back with results?
also, If the hyperthyroidism is indeed correct, how much weight could someone be expected to gain from a 10 week course of cyproheptadine at 4mg 3 times per day?
my blood tests are booked in for this afternoon, how long would a thyroid function test typically take to come back with results?
also, If the hyperthyroidism is indeed correct, how much weight could someone be expected to gain from a 10 week course of cyproheptadine at 4mg 3 times per day?
Brief Answer:
5-10 KG
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for your follow up.
It depends upon the laboratory that your doctor uses, but thyroid tests tend to come back in 3-4 days. If you have hyperthyroidism and it is corrected then you should start gaining weight back without the cyproheptadine.
If your thyroid is normal and you try the cyproheptadine, it is possible to gain half to one kg every 1-2 weeks, so you might be able to gain 5-10 kg over a 12 week course. The amount gained varies quite a bit from person to person.
Good luck to you in gaining your weight back.
5-10 KG
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for your follow up.
It depends upon the laboratory that your doctor uses, but thyroid tests tend to come back in 3-4 days. If you have hyperthyroidism and it is corrected then you should start gaining weight back without the cyproheptadine.
If your thyroid is normal and you try the cyproheptadine, it is possible to gain half to one kg every 1-2 weeks, so you might be able to gain 5-10 kg over a 12 week course. The amount gained varies quite a bit from person to person.
Good luck to you in gaining your weight back.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
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