[Crook32]

Anyone ever use this to help with depression and weight loss?

[still_crazy]

amphetamines can be helpful for some forms of depression. watch the dose. Personally, I wouldn't take --just-- an amhetamine for mood. I got good results from Tofranil (a tricyclic) plus Adderall and some other stuff.

Back in the day, Adderall and other amphetamines were popular for weight loss. Again; I'd just be careful with the dose, and try other interventions at the same time, also. I did best w/ mood and weight @ 40mgs day. Above that, I had some problems.

Evekeo is FDA-approved for weight loss. I think its re-packaged Benzedrine or something. Desoxyn isn't often prescribed, but its also approved for weight loss and was popular for depression back in the day.

[TicTacGo]

Yeah I do agree with still_crazy in terms of using an amphetamine, on its own, for depression.

Adderall is mainly used for narcolepsy and ADHD- so those uses mentioned above are off-label.

As it is a stimulant, Adderall does suppress appetite and help with weight loss (as Ritalin does too) but yeah, not really used before things like phentermine etc.

Desoxyn is very rarely used as it is methamphetamine and quite easily abused.

For depression, in conjunction with antidepressants- lithium or lamotrigine (Lamictal) and neuroleptics (antipsychotics) such as Seroquel, Abilify or Zyprexa are effective.

*Note that some antidepressants may cause weight gain but the AD/AP combination is usually reserved for treatment resistant depression.

[RainyDay107]

No, but I do know the appetite suppression effect goes away with regular use.

Originally Posted by glamslam

No, but I do know the appetite suppression effect goes away with regular use.

My psychiatrist/therapist agrees with this. She prescribes stimulants as a last resort for attention problems (she doesn't handle patients with narcolepsy), and in small doses compared to "most" psychiatrists (in her opinion). She is also against the use of stimulants for weight loss, since it can get addictive, lead to abuse, etc. The appetite suppression effect goes away after a while, in her opinion, so patients are at risk of using more and more.

What kind of weight loss are you talking about? Is this weight gained because of using neuroleptics? Or do you have weight problems in general (e.g. genetics, poor lifestyle decisions, disability)? For the former, my psychiatrist would change the neuroleptic or reduce its dosage while adding a small dose of another drug to compensate. For the latter, she'd be horrified and would suggest lifestyle changes, exercise, seeing a dietician, etc.

I don't take Adderall. My psychiatrist and I talk about different medications for fun. We often run out of topics to discuss during our hourlong sessions as I'm pretty stable.

[Crook32]

Originally Posted by psychehedone

My psychiatrist/therapist agrees with this. She prescribes stimulants as a last resort for attention problems (she doesn't handle patients with narcolepsy), and in small doses compared to "most" psychiatrists (in her opinion). She is also against the use of stimulants for weight loss, since it can get addictive, lead to abuse, etc. The appetite suppression effect goes away after a while, in her opinion, so patients are at risk of using more and more.

What kind of weight loss are you talking about? Is this weight gained because of using neuroleptics? Or do you have weight problems in general (e.g. genetics, poor lifestyle decisions, disability)? For the former, my psychiatrist would change the neuroleptic or reduce its dosage while adding a small dose of another drug to compensate. For the latter, she'd be horrified and would suggest lifestyle changes, exercise, seeing a dietician, etc.

I don't take Adderall. My psychiatrist and I talk about different medications for fun. We often run out of topics to discuss during our hourlong sessions as I'm pretty stable.

I gained 60 pounds over a year from Seroquel and Zyprexa. When I was in the hospital and they put me back on Zyprexa they also gave me Metformin to reduce weight gain. I was only on the Zyprexa a week and then they stopped the Metformin as well. I asked my pdoc about putting me back on that but he said he didn't know enough about it to prescribe it.

[still_crazy]

hi. i asked a former pdoc about metformin, and I got the run around, too. "Ask your family doctor," or something like that. I don't get it. They know plenty about these fatty-making pills, but they don't know anything about the anti-fatty pills?

Adderall and the other amphetamines were popular as diet drugs back in the day. They were also popular for many forms of depression, either alone or mixed with other substances (low dose neuroleptics, barbiturates, etc.). Some people still do better with stimulants on board than with other drugs. I have an acquaintance who is doing well on Seroquel at night and an Adderall capsule in the morning.

Personally, I'd think it'd be good to see about metformin to reduce metabolic problems. One could still take a stimulant of some sort, also. The stimulant could maybe accelerate weight loss and lift your mood (?), while the metformin could potentially help with blood sugars, weight, and I think it helps triglycerides, too.

There are other stimulants besides Adderall, some of which are mostly prescribed for weight loss. "Diet pill" is something of a "bad word" with a lot of doctors. I don't get it. They'll put lil 4 year old Jimmy on uppers, but they don't want a functioning adult on anything "addictive."

Anyway, the more popular diet pills are phentermine and phendimetrazine, from what I've experienced+read. Both are controlled substances, but you can get refills (potentially...) on both, unlike the Schedule II amphetamines and ritalin.

I hope you and your prescriber can find a solution.

[Terabithia]

I was very depressed, and my doctor put me on a low dose of adderall. It worked immediately for me. I lost about 5 pounds, which didn't make much difference for me. I wouldn't have wanted it increased though, because it makes me a little anxious and irritable, and then I need a klonapin. I had to go off of it a few days ago because I'm going to be traveling to Thailand and they don't allow it there. My doctor put me on Ritalin and I'm back to feeling very depressed and lethargic. May be withdrawals, or might be the Ritalin itself. I'm not sure. The last medication I remember getting me out of depression, is lamictal, when I was put on it 10 years ago. Still taking it, but not completely helping anymore.