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Suggest Medication Which Does Not Cause Weight Gain For Chronic Depression
I have suffered depression for many years I have tried various anti depressants . I have been on Effexor xr for at least 8 years I increased it from 75 mg 150 on February 5th ,2015 I am still very depressed Have pretty much spent the last 2 years in bed. I did go for alcohol rehab in 2013 and quit drinking for 5 months , drank for 7 months and have been sober for 4 months now In March of 2014 for added abilify to my Effexor and gained 40 lbs in 6 weeks so I stopped the abilify as did not notice any improvement in my depression. I would like to try another AD but so afraid of side effects particularly weight gain . I am 59 year old female I weight 180 lbs. now Prior to abilify my weight was at most 155 but usually averaged 135 . Can you help with any medication suggestions
Fri, 13 Jan 2023
Hi,
Definitely, weight gain is a very common problem with Abilify. Approximately 7% of patients taking Abilify gain weight ranging 6-8%. For some this gain may be minimum, where as some may get an enormous weight gain with this drug.
Usually Effexor, do not cause increase in weight. So, if the drug is helping you to some extent, you may try increasing your dose of Effexor. Usual maximum daily dose may be 225 mg. In some patients, a dose of 300 mg may be even prescribed, if indicated.
Still, there are some anti-depressive drugs, you may try with or without Effexor, which usually do not cause weight gain. But you should be careful to use drugs under guidance of your psychiatrist like Paroxetine, Buspirone, Clonazepam, Ativan, Escitalopram, Citalopram, Fluvoxamine, Fluoxetine and Sertraline.
Some of these drugs may have other side effects in some cases like nausea, fatigue or headache etc., therefore it is always advised to take these drugs strictly under prescription of your doctor, who is in a better position to decide the risks vs benefits in each case.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Satnarain Bansal, General & Family Physician
Definitely, weight gain is a very common problem with Abilify. Approximately 7% of patients taking Abilify gain weight ranging 6-8%. For some this gain may be minimum, where as some may get an enormous weight gain with this drug.
Usually Effexor, do not cause increase in weight. So, if the drug is helping you to some extent, you may try increasing your dose of Effexor. Usual maximum daily dose may be 225 mg. In some patients, a dose of 300 mg may be even prescribed, if indicated.
Still, there are some anti-depressive drugs, you may try with or without Effexor, which usually do not cause weight gain. But you should be careful to use drugs under guidance of your psychiatrist like Paroxetine, Buspirone, Clonazepam, Ativan, Escitalopram, Citalopram, Fluvoxamine, Fluoxetine and Sertraline.
Some of these drugs may have other side effects in some cases like nausea, fatigue or headache etc., therefore it is always advised to take these drugs strictly under prescription of your doctor, who is in a better position to decide the risks vs benefits in each case.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Satnarain Bansal, General & Family Physician
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