Topa with Antidepressants

[ChooseToBelieve]

Hi there!

New here, and am asking my burning questions - so thanks so much for your help, you are saving my life!

I just started the topa. I have been taking prozac for years. I have also been thinking of switching antidepressants for years, since I know that prozac causes weight gain after years of use. I had gained 40 lbs the past 4 yrs. Is anyone out there on any other antidepressants? Was wondering which ones you all were on if so, and how much? Thanks so much!

Love and grateful thanks to all!

[liveandbreathe]

Topa with Antidepressants

I take Effexor XR and it works great for me...I took Prozac for PMDD but my sex drive went to heck so I switched to Effexor.

My concern now is that Topa and Effexor will have some interaction. I'll figure this out when I speak with my doctor.

If ll have to get off the Effexor, which I understand is very, very difficult to "titrate" off of, it would be a real disappointment for me.

My weight is up (my normal should be about 135 and I am 155) due to the 500 - 600 calories I drink a day.

[bootcampbarbie]

Topa with Antidepressants

i take topa and wellbutrin. they seem to be fine together as the dr. prescribes them. haven't had any issues. cheers

[magic]

Topa with Antidepressants

I take Topamax and Effexor, and have for years, with out difficulty.


EDIT: Elsewhere it is posted that they should NOT be taken together. My phychiatrist prescribes these for me.
So I guess you should consult your doctor.
magic xx :schmokin:

[Paddy]

Topa with Antidepressants

I took Topa while on Xanax and Zoloft. I have since March successfully left my Xanax and Zoloft days behind. But when I was on these anti-depressants, I had experienced no interactions.

[liveandbreathe]

Topa with Antidepressants

Paddy, I am glad to hear that, because in addition to Effexor XR I also take - as needed - Tranxene when I get under serious situations of stress (meetings, flying, whatever) so it would be nice to get off the magic carpet ride of Effexor and Tranxene.

And Choose...I never really answered your question adequately. You wrote: "I have also been thinking of switching antidepressants for years, since I know that prozac causes weight gain after years of use. I had gained 40 lbs the past 4 yrs."

I did not gain weight on Prozac and took it for five years for PMDD. In fact, it has anorectic properties. Some physicians prescribe it with Phentermine for weight loss. (Not the banned Fenfluramine). I'm not recommending you go that route, but again, my weight gain has to do with my life circumstances (not getting off my arse) and my drinking.

I take 35mg of Effexor XR.

[ChooseToBelieve]

Topa with Antidepressants

Hi again, wanted to note that yes, Prozac is prescribed for weight loss at first, but it is nasty in that after a year or so of use, can cause up to 10 lbs of weight gain per year with the avg of 20 lbs of weight gain per patient.

These drugs have so many complexities, don't they? I am presently considering switching to Wellbutrin, but only after the dust settles and after I'm to the point that I'm done with the Topomax part of this program. Optimisitc of me, but I choose to be optimisitic these days!

[Ready to Change45]

Topa with Antidepressants

Topa and Lexapro

I started on Topa and worked my way up to 300mg in split doses/day. Then my doctor introduced Lexapro. Although I was not expecting it, the Topa had a very nice mood stabilizing effect which was wiped out by the horrible three week adjustment period for Lexapro (10 mg). Once at 10mg, the Lexapro had a wonderful anti-anxiety effect. I drink to quell my anxiety. Anyone have any ideas on another medication to replace the Lexapro? Lexapro at 10 mg left me unable to function sexually, At 5mg, I lost the anti-anxiety feeling. Benzos are not an option. I am in the USA.

Thanks MWO friends.

[soccermom]

Topa with Antidepressants

I told my doctor that I was taking topa for "migraines" when I was requesting an antidepressant. He had no problem prescribing Zoloft and didn't seem to question the topa interaction.
I never did take the Zoloft and had another dr. prescribe Wellbutrin which I took with topa (also had told that dr. that I was taking topa and she was not concerned with interactions.)

[Ladyinred]

Topa with Antidepressants

I hated Lexapro, I had the same problems as you Ready to Change. I also had headaches with the Lexapro. I think most anti depressants have sexual side effects. Yuck

[Cashregister]

Topa with Antidepressants

Hiya,

I'm bipolar and am on Prozac 20mg and Lithium Carbonate 750 mg (and going up!). Proxac never made me put on weight - but depression can, and so can drinking to try and medicate the depression. With all meds it's good to ask lots of questions of your Drs and find out about weight gain etc in advance so you can tackle it from the start. It's fine to take topa with an antidepressant but do under dr supervision, Topa is used in some circumstances as a mood stabiliser (usually when all other ones fail as it has huge raft of side effects).


Good luck

Cashy
xxx

[louise]

Topa with Antidepressants

I have taken Wellbutrin (after trying prozac, zoloft, celexa, paxil, etc etc etc - human guinea pig for numerous side effects) for a number of years and was prescribed topa by a dr. to supplement the antidepressant.

[CAPRICORN1]

Topa with Antidepressants

i think original question was anti-depressants with topa. my dr has prescribed me topa with my effexor which i have taken for 3 years. he just cautioned me about the side-effects which for me were not at all too bad.... the topa has enabled me to come off of my anti-anxiety medications over the last 6 weeks which is a plus. i think i probably needed a mood stabalizer and was affraid to try the ones that were newer because they tend to put on weight and i think i'd rather be a manic depressed thin woman, than a manic heavy woman who drinks because she is depressed because she is fat...does this make sense...anybody??? :H

[YoungAtHeart]

Topa with Antidepressants

It is generally the SSRI's--prozac, zoloft, lexapro, paxil, etc., that can cause weight gain over time. Antidepressants like Wellbutrin and Serzone are not in the same class of drugs, and generally do not cause weight gain. Wellbutrin may, for some, cause weight loss.

For interactions, you may check on DrugDigest . You can check on all sorts of drug and supplement interactions.