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45 Years Old. Gaining Weight And Have Very Low Libido. Concerned

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Posted on Mon, 28 Jan 2013
Question: My doctor is considering changing my anti-depressant because I have gaines weight and have very low libido. I am 45 years old (going through menopause) and concerned about these 2 things the most. Can you help?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Srikanth Reddy (32 minutes later)
Hello,
Thanks for using health care magic for posting your query.
Weight gain and low libido are signs of persisting depression. That means you have not attained remission from your depressive symptoms.
I would be happy if you can share what drugs are you currently on and what drug you are being changed to .
Hope to hear from you soon.
Wish you good health!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. Srikanth Reddy (8 minutes later)
Current Meds:
Topamax 25mg HS (migraines)
Levothyroxine 50mg
Triamterene 37.5/25 (blood pressure)
Lexapro 20mg
Ambien 10mg prn (insomnia)
Klonopin 0.5mg HS prn (RLS)
doctor
Answered by Dr. Srikanth Reddy (1 hour later)
Hello,
Thanks for posting a follow-up. Topamax is topiramate meant for migraine. Levothyroxine 50 is for your hypothyroidism and triampterene is for your blood pressure.
Lexapro (Escitalopram) 20 mg is the only antidepressant you are currently on.
Ambien (Zolpidem) is for insomnia and Klonopin is for insomnia and anxiety.
Its a usual norm to start on one anti depressant and look for the improvement. Around 50% do not respond to the first anti-depressant and then they are shifted to the second. Bupropion, venlafaxine and mirtazapine are good options for you.
Antidepressants are more effective if taken along with cognitive behavioural therapy. I think you can request your psychiatrist for helping you with some behavioural therapy as well.
Bupropion is a good drug, less chances of weight gain along with good anti-depressant profile and no negative effect on the libido like the lexapro which you were taking previously.
Finally exercise and good diet will go along way in maintaining your health.
Hope I am able to solve your query.
I will be happy to help you if you need any further clarifications.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Srikanth Reddy

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 2770 Questions

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45 Years Old. Gaining Weight And Have Very Low Libido. Concerned

Hello,
Thanks for using health care magic for posting your query.
Weight gain and low libido are signs of persisting depression. That means you have not attained remission from your depressive symptoms.
I would be happy if you can share what drugs are you currently on and what drug you are being changed to .
Hope to hear from you soon.
Wish you good health!