Posted by ray on July 1, 2000, at 20:35:19
In reply to Re: TOPOMAX AND EFFEXOR COMBOS, posted by Sassy on June 20, 2000, at 16:36:18
> Hi,
>
> Been looking for information myself.
>
> New Doc just prescribed topomax to counteract weight gain problem with effexor (wants me to try again)along with ranidine (antiacid).
>
> So far, taking low dose of effexor 75 mg will eventually go to 300 mg. Now taking 150 mg of ranidine and 50 mg of topomax at night.
>
> I feel tired, a little drugged, headache in frontal lobe, carbonated drinks taste funny, concentration difficult and scared of the weight gain.
>
> I've asked this question a million times, but does the higher doseage of effexor prevent the weight gain?
> I've gained 50 lbs before this combo. Been off the med for a couple of months until recently. I'm wondering if that tired feeling is from the effexor or the topomax.
>
> Anyone else doctor prescribe combos to counteract weight gain?
>
> Sassy
>
I'll give you my individual experience than I'll share with you some statistical data about your questions.First, my personal experiences. I'm currently on Effexor XR and my doctor recently prescribed Topamax for me to see if it could help me lose the weight I gained on Zoloft (Zoloft worked well for a few years before it finally fizzed out. I gained over 100lbs on Zoloft). My doctor told me every patient he had put on Topamax had lost weight. I couldn't argue with that. Effexor XR has had no effect either way on my appetite or weight.
He started me at 25mg Topamax at night. I took it for three nights. It did help promote sleep and didn't leave me drowsy in the morning, but after three days my depression was a lot worse. Although I can't say there was a definite connection, it was enough for me to quit the Topamax. I may try it again later just in case it was a coincidence. I didn't notice a decrease in appetite or any weight loss, but I don't think three days is a good time period to make that judgement.
Now for some info. about your questions:Per the drug company's patient information sheet a dose of 375mg of regular Effexor (not XR) is slightly less likely than a 75mg dose of Effexor to increase your appetite and weight. However, I do not think the difference is statistically significantly (17% vs. 15%). In short, increasing the dose should not increase your appetite or cause weight gain; nor will it likely cause your appetite to decrease or cause weight loss. But as with everybody, your own results may very.
As for what is causing your tiredness it could be individual things or a combination of things. You mentioned you took the Effexor before. Unless you took something else with the Effexor at that time you should remember if it increased your fatigue. Although from most of the post I've read, people indicate Effexor is energizing. I never found it so myself, and the data shows it causes more sleepiness than placebo although the same data shows it causes more anxiety than placebo (you would think the more anxiety a drug might cause the less sleepiness it might cause...maybe that just my thinking.)
Topamax is likely to increase your sleepiness. I assume your PDOC has prescribed it so that you take the entire dose at bedtime. If not, I would ask him why you couldn’t take the entire dose at bedtime. If he mentions something about half-life, then you might request he research the drug a little more. I believe the data supports the drug can be administered once daily. If you are taking the entire dose at bedtime, it might be causing some grogginess the next morning but I wouldn't think that last past the morning.
Finally, your depression could be causing your fatigue.
Lastly, and I'll resort back to Effexor's patient information sheet for this, increasing the dose of Effexor is likely to increase your sleepiness (26%@ 375mg, 17%@ 75 mg). But again, your results may vary.
Good luck
poster:ray
thread:36478
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000630/msgs/38990.html