Topamax

Has anyone in the newsgroup tried topamax for weight loss?

Yes, I started about two weeks ago. Sometimes I have to remind myself to
eat.


"Joanne Logan" wrote in message
...
Has anyone in the newsgroup tried topamax for weight loss?

Joanne Logan wrote:
Has anyone in the newsgroup tried topamax for weight loss?

AFAIK, it's a drug for seizure disorders that is now being used for
binge eating disorders after a couple of studies published last year
showing it effective for stopping binges. But it's not really a
weight loss drug.

Health Canada put out a warning recommending periodic monitoring
of serum bicarbonate in the blood, because Topamax can sometimes
cause metabolic acidosis.

It's also being used for certain types of migraines.

A study using it only for weight loss was cut short because of very
high problems with side effects, with almost 20% of patients dropping
out of the study, although it did cause some loss. Patients who
stayed in the study lost a average of 26 pounds in 60 to 72 weeks.

Considering that most people who seek diet medication do so because
they desire to lose *more* than the pound or so a week that they can
expect from dieting, I'd sayt that's pretty poor results for a drug
with high side effects that needs to be monitored with blood tests.

--
jamie )

"There's a seeker born every minute."

Joanne Logan wrote:
Has anyone in the newsgroup tried topamax for weight loss?

AFAIK, it's a drug for seizure disorders that is now being used for
binge eating disorders after a couple of studies published last year
showing it effective for stopping binges. But it's not really a
weight loss drug.

Health Canada put out a warning recommending periodic monitoring
of serum bicarbonate in the blood, because Topamax can sometimes
cause metabolic acidosis.

It's also being used for certain types of migraines.

A study using it only for weight loss was cut short because of very
high problems with side effects, with almost 20% of patients dropping
out of the study, although it did cause some loss. Patients who
stayed in the study lost a average of 26 pounds in 60 to 72 weeks.

Considering that most people who seek diet medication do so because
they desire to lose *more* than the pound or so a week that they can
expect from dieting, I'd sayt that's pretty poor results for a drug
with high side effects that needs to be monitored with blood tests.

--
jamie )

"There's a seeker born every minute."

"jamie" wrote in message
...
A study using it only for weight loss was cut short because of very
high problems with side effects, with almost 20% of patients dropping
out of the study, although it did cause some loss. Patients who
stayed in the study lost a average of 26 pounds in 60 to 72 weeks.

Another problem is that the study doesn't show what happens long term, at
the 5 year mark where most diets fail. What happens when you're off
medication? Or do you have to stay on the medication for life? Then, what
happens when you stay on such a medication for say, 20 years? Any
side-effect of such long term use?
The answers are problably dont know - no idea - never tested - probably bad
things - never tested, but we hope not. That would make me feel like a
guinea pig...

Joanne Logan wrote:

Has anyone in the newsgroup tried topamax for weight loss?

What's its Maintenance plan? Without a Maintenance plan there
is an absolute guarantee of regain. Regain it all and it
becomes irrelevant that you lost it in the first place, maybe
even worse than irrelevent.

Please try something that's a permanent change. There is no
magic bullet. If you want to permanently change your habits
plus try pills, err, okay. Your body your science experiment.

Joanne Logan wrote:

Has anyone in the newsgroup tried topamax for weight loss?

What's its Maintenance plan? Without a Maintenance plan there
is an absolute guarantee of regain. Regain it all and it
becomes irrelevant that you lost it in the first place, maybe
even worse than irrelevent.

Please try something that's a permanent change. There is no
magic bullet. If you want to permanently change your habits
plus try pills, err, okay. Your body your science experiment.