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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Joe Schmoe on August 8, 2001, at 12:31:15
Listen to this quote about appetite suppressants:
"Rather than increase production of serotonin like Redux, sibutramine (originally developed in the 1980s as an antidepressant) is a monoamine repute inhibitor that effectively increases levels of both serotonin and noradrenaline by retarding their normal removal from the sites of action. Phen-fen acts similarly, with fenfluramine initially increasing serotonin levels and phentermine increasing noradrenaline levels. The higher levels of these neurotransmitters have been shown to both increase metabolic rate and reduce appetite, a very effective combination for weight reduction, especially in conjunction with a carefully managed program of exercise, diet and behavior modification."
This makes it sound like SSRIs should make people lose appetite/weight and raise their metabolism, yet they are infamous for making you fat instead. What makes SSRIs different from appetite suppressants?
Posted by MB on August 8, 2001, at 13:44:36
In reply to SSRIs vs Appetite Suppressants - bizarre, posted by Joe Schmoe on August 8, 2001, at 12:31:15
> What makes SSRIs different from appetite suppressants?
Maybe the lies of pharmaceutical companies? All cynicism aside, however, I don't really know the answer to your question. Elizabeth and I were discussing this a few weeks ago without comming to any conclusions other than the fact that Redux must be a pretty ineffectic anorectic medication. If you remember, Prozac was touted as having potential weight-loss potential in the late eighties and early nineties because it seemed to reduce appetite. What was being missed was the fact that the appetite comes back with compound interest a few months down the line, and people get fat. I wonder if this would be the case should someone stay on Redux for six or seven months. Would they gain weight?There is one thing that makes me think that Redux might have a slightly different end result than the SSRIs (a mechanism we're missing somehow??) because it is scheduled as a class IV drug, while antidepressants are seen as having no abuse potential. I would like to know how they decided to schedule Redux. I mean, were rats self administering it, or did they just decide to do it because it gave it more clout in the medical community as an anorectic (i.e. did the researchers lie about its abuse potential)?
Posted by Joe Schmoe on August 8, 2001, at 14:25:16
In reply to Re: SSRIs vs Appetite Suppressants - bizarre » Joe Schmoe, posted by MB on August 8, 2001, at 13:44:36
I am just liking this anti-appetite effect of the Wellbutrin so much that I am starting to get interested in the idea of appetite-suppressing drugs in general, in case the Wellbutrin ever poops out or these chest pains become unbearable (like today). I never really looked into appetite-suppressing drugs before, are there any good ones? I am always surprised to see some sold as over the counter or herbal ones, given that the heavy duty ones always seem to end up controlled substances.
Posted by MB on August 8, 2001, at 15:57:52
In reply to Re: SSRIs vs Appetite Suppressants - bizarre, posted by Joe Schmoe on August 8, 2001, at 14:25:16
> I am just liking this anti-appetite effect of the Wellbutrin so much that I am starting to get interested in the idea of appetite-suppressing drugs in general, in case the Wellbutrin ever poops out or these chest pains become unbearable (like today). I never really looked into appetite-suppressing drugs before, are there any good ones? I am always surprised to see some sold as over the counter or herbal ones, given that the heavy duty ones always seem to end up controlled substances.
Most of the drugs used for appetite suppression are CNS stimulants (like the psychostimulants used for ADD). I think a long time ago, amphetamines were the main drugs used. Then they tried to synthesize "less addictive" appetite suppressants. I think a couple that came out were Preludin and diethylbupropion (which, by the way is related, structurally, to your Wellbutrin--bupropion), but I think these were still pretty euphoric. I met a guy that used to take Preludin to get high. Most of the uppers that have psychostimulanting effects improve mood, I think. I think there has been a search to find a appetite suppressant that doesn't act as a psychostimulant (ie. with no abuse potential). The medical community wants people to lose weight without feeling good, I guess.The over-the-counter appetite suppressants are stimulants also, but they are mainly "sympathimimetic" drugs like the decongestants. They work more on the body and less on the mind. So, they're likely to feel like Sudafed or ephedrine (decongestants in cold medicine). PPA was a big over-the-counter appetite suppressant until they found out it gave people stokes (it constricted blood vessles, which is why it makes a good decongestant also: it decreases blood flow to swollen tissue in the nose).
If the appetite suppresant drugs work for you, then maybe it is their psychostimulating properties doing so. Maybe a medication like Ritilin or Dexadrine might help you.
Posted by Joe Schmoe on August 8, 2001, at 17:13:47
In reply to Re: SSRIs vs Appetite Suppressants - bizarre » Joe Schmoe, posted by MB on August 8, 2001, at 15:57:52
>Maybe a medication like Ritilin or Dexadrine might help you.
The problem is no doctor is going to prescribe something like that to help a 190 pound man lose 25 pounds. They tend to reserve that stuff for obese people. Unfortunately without some chemical help I have been unable to lose any weight, instead I slowly keep gaining it, I think there is something wrong with my dopamine system because the Wellbutrin is wonderful so far about suppressing appetite. (Was a 200 pound man when I started the Wellbutrin six weeks ago!) For the first time in my life I don't have food cravings all the time. I really enjoy it but
a) I am told Wellbutrin tends to lose this effect after a few months and
b) the Wellbutrin is giving me chest pains even at very low doses so I don't know if I can stay on it.
Posted by MB on August 8, 2001, at 21:08:40
In reply to Re: SSRIs vs Appetite Suppressants - bizarre, posted by Joe Schmoe on August 8, 2001, at 17:13:47
> >Maybe a medication like Ritilin or Dexadrine might help you.
>
> The problem is no doctor is going to prescribe something like that to help a 190 pound man lose 25 pounds. They tend to reserve that stuff for obese people. Unfortunately without some chemical help I have been unable to lose any weight, instead I slowly keep gaining it, I think there is something wrong with my dopamine system because the Wellbutrin is wonderful so far about suppressing appetite. (Was a 200 pound man when I started the Wellbutrin six weeks ago!) For the first time in my life I don't have food cravings all the time. I really enjoy it but
>
> a) I am told Wellbutrin tends to lose this effect after a few months and
>
> b) the Wellbutrin is giving me chest pains even at very low doses so I don't know if I can stay on it.
I totally misunderstood. I thought you wanted it for you mood; I thought you noticed weight loss drugs improved your mood. Yeah getting a doc to script a schedule II drug for weight loss to someone that isn't *REALLY* fat would be hard...unless you go to some old croaker doc known for his "sympathy."
This is the end of the thread.
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