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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Weight Gain Along With Craving For Sweets While On Antidepressants?

I currently take 9 medications prescribed by 2 ANP providers. They are for chronic pain (fibromyalgia & generalized chronic pain & arthritis. Also mental health issues, mainly major depression & anxiety. In the 10 years or so that I've taken various meds and cycled through several antidepressants I've gained a lot of weight & crave carbs & sweets terribly. I know this is a common thing. Do you just have to live with it to have some mental health & pain relief? I take Abilify 10 mg, Lamictal 200 & Vibryd at 40 mg plus narcotic pain meds & a tiny dose of Ritalin for attention issues. Thank You, Barb
Fri, 28 Aug 2015
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries

I have read the details provided in query and I can understand your concern. You have issues of fibromyalgia, chronic pain, depression and anxiety and are on various medicines. For depression and anxiety you are on Abilify 10 mg, Lamictal 200 mg and Vibryd 40 mg. Out of these medicines Abilify or Aripiprazole is relatively safe drug if we consider weight gain and craving for sugars. Lamictal also doesn't cause much weight gain. Vibryd in some studies has been found to cause weight gain. So reducing the dose of Virbyd should help. Addition of Topiramate can help. Topiramate helps to reduce the weight and appetite and can prove a good option for weight loss.

If the chronic pain, depression are not improving then consult your doctor again. For chronic pain other medicines like Venlafaxine can be used. Venlafaxine is an antidepressant which helps in chronic pain also. The drug also doesn't cause weight gain so can be taken safely. Please consult your doctor for prescription and reevaluation.

Thanks, Hope this helps you. Take care

Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi,
Psychiatrist.
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What Causes Weight Gain Along With Craving For Sweets While On Antidepressants?

Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries I have read the details provided in query and I can understand your concern. You have issues of fibromyalgia, chronic pain, depression and anxiety and are on various medicines. For depression and anxiety you are on Abilify 10 mg, Lamictal 200 mg and Vibryd 40 mg. Out of these medicines Abilify or Aripiprazole is relatively safe drug if we consider weight gain and craving for sugars. Lamictal also doesn t cause much weight gain. Vibryd in some studies has been found to cause weight gain. So reducing the dose of Virbyd should help. Addition of Topiramate can help. Topiramate helps to reduce the weight and appetite and can prove a good option for weight loss. If the chronic pain, depression are not improving then consult your doctor again. For chronic pain other medicines like Venlafaxine can be used. Venlafaxine is an antidepressant which helps in chronic pain also. The drug also doesn t cause weight gain so can be taken safely. Please consult your doctor for prescription and reevaluation. Thanks, Hope this helps you. Take care Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi, Psychiatrist.