Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 47044

Shown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.

**For Cam W.** HOW does Topamax cause weight loss?

Posted by Sandi* Pantalon on October 21, 2000, at 22:21:44

Hello Cam:

I'm a long-time lurker, and this is only my 2nd or 3rd time to post. I've learned so much from the participants on this board and am very grateful to all :)

My questions are:

1. HOW does Topamax cause weight loss? Is it from a drug-induced anorexia from the taste perversion that some people experience while taking it? Or is there another mechanism - and if so, the details?

2. At what total daily dosage is weight loss seen while taking Topamax?

3. Does the total daily dosage have to be divided? For instance, if I am taking less than 100mg daily, could I take that as a single dose at night? Would that diminish the weight loss effect?

Thanking you in advance for your help,

Sandi*
Bipolar I/ADHD/ENFP and Aquarian ;)

Current Meds:
Topamax - 50mg QHS
Celexa - 40mg
Seroquel - 25mg AM, 25mg NOON and 100mg QHS
Dexedrine 5mg spansule - 0700AM and NOON
Synthroid - 0.1mg QD

Re: **For Cam W.** HOW does Topamax cause weight loss? » Sandi* Pantalon

Posted by Cam W. on October 22, 2000, at 11:28:15

In reply to **For Cam W.** HOW does Topamax cause weight loss?, posted by Sandi* Pantalon on October 21, 2000, at 22:21:44

Sandi-

> 1. HOW does Topamax cause weight loss? Is it from a drug-induced anorexia from the taste perversion that some people experience while taking it? Or is there another mechanism - and if so, the details?
>
•I don't think it's taste perversion. People who do lose weight (about 50% in my experience) say that they just aren't as hungry. As for the mechanism, I haven't heard any totally plausible explanations, yet.
>
> 2. At what total daily dosage is weight loss seen while taking Topamax?
>
•The researchers say that you have to be taking at least 200mg/day to lose weight. This seems to be true in most people, but I have seen a couple of people lose weight taking less (can't confirm if it is the Topamax causing weight loss in these cases).
>
> 3. Does the total daily dosage have to be divided? For instance, if I am taking less than 100mg daily, could I take that as a single dose at night? Would that diminish the weight loss effect?
>
•Most docs (but not all) do give Topamax in twice daily doses. This may be because of some of the cognitive problems when starting Topamax. Most likely, the twice daily dosing comes from epilepsy studies, where it is more necessary to keep blood levels of the drug from fluctuating. The half-life of Topamax is about 21 hours, so it might be able to be taken once daily. For doses under 100mg per day and being used as a mood stabilizer, I would think that a once daily dosing should be okay. Ask you doc's opinion on this, though.

Hope this helps - Cam

**Thanks, Cam for the info :)**(nt)

Posted by Sandi* Pantalon on October 22, 2000, at 14:48:07

In reply to Re: **For Cam W.** HOW does Topamax cause weight loss? » Sandi* Pantalon, posted by Cam W. on October 22, 2000, at 11:28:15

This is the end of the thread.

Show another thread

Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ

Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD, [email protected]

Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.