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Zoloft does not prevent weight regain
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Thursday, November 20, 2003 5:50 am Email this article
Zoloft (sertraline), a serotonin reuptake inhibiting antidepressants, is not effective at preventing weight regain.
This is according to a study of 53 women who had lost an average of 50 lbs on a very low calorie diet. They were then given either 200 mg per day of Zoloft or a placebo for one year.
During the first six weeks the Zoloft group lost additional weight while the placebo group gained (-1.8 lbs vs + 2 lbs, respectively). However, by week 10 both groups were gaining weight. After six months both groups had gained a similar amount of weight (13.9 lbs vs 13.4 lbs) and after one year the Zoloft group had gained more weight than the placebo group (38.9 lbs vs 26 lbs, respectively), but the difference was not statistically significant.
This weight gain represented 71% and 47% of their original weight loss. The weight gain in both groups was three-fourths fat and one-forth fat-free mass (muscle).
REFERENCE
Wadden TA, Bartlett SJ, Foster GD, Greenstein RA, Wingate BJ, Stunkard AJ, Letizia KA. Sertraline and relapse prevention training following treatment by very-low-calorie diet: a controlled clinical trial. Obesity Research Nov 95, 3(6): 549-57.
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COMMENTS
On Apr 23, 2005 at 11:59 pm Mykol Hamilton wrote:
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Anyone know an answer to these questions, or where I might find the answers? I lost 20 pounds on zoloft in the last year, then started regaining. Despite lots of exercise and the same basic diet, the gain is speeding up. Does stopping zoloft stop the weight gain? Is one's metabolism changed by zoloft on a long-term basis?
On Apr 24, 2005 at 2:26 am Larry Hobbs wrote:
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Mykol,
Research on Prozac shows that large doses cause weight loss for the first 6 months, then people start regain their lost weight, and after a year they have regained most of their lost weight.
Zoloft might cause weight loss in some people, especially if large doses are used.
In those people, it seems likely that stopping Zoloft would cause them to regain the weight that was lost.
I am not aware of any research suggesting that Zoloft changes metabolism.
On Apr 24, 2005 at 8:18 am Mykol Hamilton wrote:
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Thanks, Larry. What a quick reply!
I did see something yesterday on the web that said the reason one regains the lost weight after a while on Zoloft is because it alters metabolism, but of course I don't remember exactly where I saw the statement. I do remember, however, that it wasn't an expert opinion, but rather a comment by someone who claimed to have heard it from an expert.
My experience has been that from January '04 to January '05 I lost about 25 pounds, of which I was quite glad. (I'd been on tricyclic antidepressants for my migraines and gained that weight.) Then suddenly in the last two months or so I've started to gain back. This despite a pretty good exercise regimen and no diet changes.
Do you know whether stopping the Zoloft takes care of the weight rebound? Or is it just as hard to keep the weight off if one stops taking the Rx? With the tricyclics, the weight persisted forever, at least in part because I gained a sweet tooth while on it, and the sweet tooth didn't disappear when I stopped the drug. The Zoloft seemed to help with that and it reduced my appetite in general.
Anyway, if you don't mind answering some more Q's, what's your opinion on the likelihood of the weight's staying or going depending on whether I continue or stop taking Zoloft?
Thanks again,
Mykol
On Apr 24, 2005 at 10:15 am Larry Hobbs wrote:
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Mykol,
Question: "Do you know whether stopping the Zoloft takes care of the weight rebound?"
Yes, it should, if that is causing the weight gain.
However, it also seems possible that stopping Zoloft might increase your appetite and cause weight gain.
Should your appetite increase, I would be prepared to deal with it immediately.
I would weigh myself every day to keep an eye on it.
As you noted, tricyclics, especially Elavil (amitriptyline), cause sweet tooth and weight gain.
You might be interested in reading the article about Zonegran (zonisamide) by Dr. Jay Piatek.
Zonegran reduces sweet tooth according to Dr. Piatek.
You can find the article here:
http://fatnews.com/index.php/weblog/comments/896/
Other antidepressants that do not tend to cause weight gain include Effexor (venlafaxine), Serzone (nefazodone), Cymbalta (duloxetine), desipramine (Norpramin, Pertofrane), and Wellbutrin (bupropion).
On Apr 24, 2005 at 11:48 pm Michael Anchors wrote:
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Larry Hobbs suggested I comment on this thread since I have reviewed the literature in writing books on the phentermine-SSRI combination, but I can't add much to what's already been said in the comments. I don't know why anyone expected that Zoloft alone would prevent weight regain. The phentermine-Zoloft combination certanly prevents recurrent HUNGER, but Zoloft alone doesn't work, and anyone can willfully overeat regardless of hunger. I suggest that Mr. Hamilton find a good phen-pro doctor and follow his or her advice. I invite Mr. Hamilton to write me to check out the advice he is given. Mike Anchors MD PhD, author of "Safer Than Phen-Fen" and soon-to-appear "Life Between Meals". Website: www.phenpro.com.
On Jul 08, 2006 at 11:40 am Marla sapp wrote:
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I TAKE PHENTERMINE FOR WEIGHT LOSS AND WAS JUST PERSCRIBED ZOLOFT AND ATIVAN FOR ANXIETY AND PANIC ATTACKS. I WAS TOLD NOT TO TAKE THE ZOLOFT AND THE DIET PILL TOGETHER. WHAT WOULD HAPPEN?
On Jul 08, 2006 at 1:13 pm Larry Hobbs wrote:
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Hi Marla,
There is warning about taking phentermine with SSRI's such as Zoloft, but many doctors have given these two drugs together, on purpuse, specifically for weight loss, to thousands of patients without incidence.
The combination is called Phen-Pro and was discovered by Dr. Michael Anchors, MD, PhD.
In 1997, he wrote about this drug combination in a book called "Safer Than Phen-Fen".
You might also email Dr. Anchors and ask him the same question. His email address is .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
On Oct 04, 2006 at 6:42 am Janice wrote:
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I also take zolof 50mg. I was wondering about taking
5-htp also. Is there any known side effects of mixing these two? I was hoping it would help in controling my appetite. I am doing the low glycemic, and its really helped to keep my blood sugar under control, but I seem to be hungry all the time. Any suggestion would be appreciated.
Thanks Janice
On Oct 05, 2006 at 10:37 am Larry Hobbs wrote:
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Janice,
As far as I know, the package insert on all serotonin reuptake inhibitors, including Zoloft, state that they should not be taken with any other drugs or supplements, including tryptophan and 5-HTP, that increase levels of serotonin because of the possibility of serotonin syndrome which is potentially fatal.
A classic book on pharmacology called "Goodman and Gilman's Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics" states that combining Prozac with 5-HTP causes a "profound" serotonin response.
However, the medical literature suggests that serotonin syndrome appears to be rare, even when combining serotonin-enhancing drugs.
Serotonin syndrome seems to be most common when a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAO inhibitors) is involved. MAO inhibitors inhibit an enzyme called monoamine oxidase (MAO) which breaks down serotonin. (Enzymes are like chemical scissors.)
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At first I was very concerned about the possibility of serotonin syndrome, however, numerous doctors have given 5-HTP to patients taking serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as Zoloft and none have reported any problems.
However, I still think it is important to keep in mind that there needs to be a balance in the body.
You don't want serotonin levels to be too low, but you also don't want them to be too high.
I believe that either one -- either very high serotonin levels or very low -- can increase appetite.
The reason I believe that high serotonin levels can also increase appetite is because doing so lowers dopamine levels which increases appetite.
So the best is to have a balance in the body.
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Are you also taking phentermine?
On Oct 06, 2006 at 12:37 am Janice wrote:
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I guess I had better just stay off the 5-htp.
I don't need anymore complications. I have had plenty of those dealing with diabetic medications.
I am not taking phentermine, but take blood pressure medication, avapro, and diabetic medication. Thank so much for the infomation,
you have been a tremendous help!
Janice
On Oct 06, 2006 at 1:16 am Larry Hobbs wrote:
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Janice,
You're welcome.
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