Those who suffer from depression often have a poor appetite and can't stomach the idea of eating anything. Many are also hesitant to take their medication at first due to concerns about side effects and relapses. If you have been prescribed Cymbalta as antidepressant medication, you might be hoping to lose weight in the process.
After all, one of the most common side effects of this drug especially if you're using it in the long term is a modest weight gain and increased appetite. Taking a diet pill alongside Cymbalta will help combat these side effects and accelerate your weight loss journey. But which diet pills can you take with Cymbalta?
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What to Know Before Combining Cymbalta and Diet Pills
You should always consult with your physician before changing medications or starting a new diet. Cymbalta is known to interact with certain medications. Drugs like tramadol and nortriptyline are common examples. As Cymbalta is also a drug, it is also susceptible to drug interactions. Combining Cymbalta with other medications can have disastrous side effects and could even be fatal. Before taking Cymbalta, you must inform your doctor of any other medications you may be taking.
This will ensure that the Cymbalta dosage that you are taking is safe for use alongside diet pills. Cymbalta can indeed cause long-term weight gain. Several studies have indicated that antidepressants like Cymbalta are dangerous for long-term weight loss. Cymbalta and diet pills have different mechanisms of action which is why they are often taken together by people suffering from depression.
However, it is important to note that Cymbalta and diet pills work best when paired with a healthy eating and exercise regime. Cymbalta is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and works by increasing serotonin levels in the brain. Increased serotonin levels in the brain are linked to improved mood and reduced cravings for carbohydrates and sugary foods.
Diet pills on the other hand are not linked to serotonin levels in the brain. Rather, they are linked to levels of serotonin in the stomach. Cymbalta and diet pills work best when combined. By using these medications together, you will get a more effective outcome. You will be able to reduce your cravings and feel less depressed while also losing weight and feeling healthier overall.
How Cymbalta Helps You Lose Weight
Cymbalta can help you lose weight in a variety of ways. Firstly, Cymbalta helps reduce cravings for carbs and sugar. Whenever you have a carbohydrate craving, your brain is sending a signal that you need the energy provided by these foods.
This is often a response to a low serotonin level in the brain.
Cymbalta helps regulate serotonin levels in the brain which means you will crave carbs and sugary foods less often. You are also more likely to feel satisfied after consuming small portions of healthy food so you will not end up eating too much.
Cymbalta can also help boost your metabolism.
When your metabolism is slower, your body tends to store more fat and burn less energy. Cymbalta helps stimulate your metabolism and burns more fat. This helps you lose weight and looks better.
Cymbalta can also help reduce water retention in the body.
When your body retains water, it can lead to significant weight gain. Water retention is often a side effect of taking an SSRI such as Cymbalta.
Cymbalta is also known to help reduce muscle and joint pain.
This can enable you to get more exercise and be more active. Exercising regularly is an essential part of any weight loss journey.
The Truth About Taking Cymbalta for Weight Loss
Cymbalta cannot be taken as an appetite suppressant but it can help regulate serotonin levels in the brain. This means that it can help reduce cravings and feelings of hunger. Cymbalta could cause minimal changes in body weight for most people.
- Cymbalta does not have a clinically proven track record for helping people lose weight. Most studies show that people taking Cymbalta for depression gain weight.
- Cymbalta works best when combined with a healthy diet and exercise routine. If you are taking Cymbalta for depression, you should make sure to eat a balanced diet and get enough exercise.
- Taking Cymbalta to treat major depressive disorder will not help you lose weight. It is important to note that antidepressants in general do not have a clinically proven track record for helping people lose weight.
- However, you can still combat the side effects of Cymbalta and depression while trying to lose weight. Make sure to eat a balanced diet and get enough exercise while taking Cymbalta.
Safest and Best Diet Pills To Take With Cymbalta
Like most drugs, Cymbalta has a list of warnings about which drugs and substances should be avoided. It also has a list of drug interactions that could cause problems if Cymbalta is taken in combination with another drug. This is because Cymbalta can play a role in influencing the way that certain drugs are metabolized by the body.
Because there are so many different diet pills and supplements on the market, it can be challenging to decide which ones are safe to take with Cymbalta. However, there are a few diet pills that are known to be relatively safe when taken with Cymbalta.
The diet pills on the list have been proven to be relatively safe and effective in helping people lose weight when taken in combination with Cymbalta. We recommend taking the following diet pills with Cymbalta for optimal results:
Phentermine
Phentermine is a stimulant-based diet pill that works by improving your body’s ability to burn fat. If taken alongside Cymbalta, phentermine can help reduce serotonin levels in the brain. This is beneficial when you are trying to lose weight as excess serotonin can trigger carb and sugar cravings.
Cymbalta helps regulate serotonin levels in the brain which means phentermine will have an even greater effect. Phentermine is not FDA-approved for the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders but it is commonly prescribed for these conditions.
Phentermine is a potent appetite suppressant that works very well with Cymbalta. It has been widely prescribed for weight loss since the 1970s. Phentermine is sometimes prescribed as a short-term solution for obesity. It is almost always prescribed as an addition to a long-term lifestyle modification plan for obesity.
Phentermine is most often prescribed for short-term weight loss when other methods (diet, exercise) have not been successful. Phentermine is a controlled substance that can only be prescribed by a doctor. It works by increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain. This leads to increased hunger suppression and reduced overall food intake.
Sibutramine
Sibutramine is another stimulant-based diet pill that works by increasing serotonin levels in the brain and reducing serotonin levels in the stomach. When taken alongside Cymbalta, sibutramine can help reduce cravings for carbohydrates and sugar. Sibutramine is not FDA-approved as a weight loss aid but it has been proven effective in clinical trials.
The main side effect of sibutramine is raised blood pressure and serotonin syndrome. Sibutramine is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor that makes our list of Cymbalta diet pills. It is commonly prescribed as an appetite suppressant in a combination weight loss pill.
Sibutramine is usually not prescribed alone because it has been linked to heart disease and strokes. It is available as a generic drug, with the brand name Meridia. It is an effective weight loss aid.
Sibutramine has been shown to reduce hunger, increase feelings of fullness and help people lose weight. Sibutramine has been linked to serious side effects, including heart problems, strokes, seizures, strokes, and serotonin syndrome, a serious condition in which serotonin levels are too high.
Phen-Fen
Phen-Fen is an SSRI-based diet pill that is primarily used to treat anxiety disorders. Phen-Fen works by increasing serotonin levels in the brain. When taken alongside Cymbalta, phen-fen can help reduce cravings for carbohydrates and sugar. Phen-fen is FDA approved for the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders however it does come with side effects. The most common side effects of phen-fen include drowsiness, dry mouth, nausea, and headaches.
Nuvigil
Nuvigil is a stimulant that helps boost energy and focus while promoting restful sleep. Some research suggests that Nuvigil may be a good choice for people who have trouble tolerating Cymbalta’s side effects.
Topiramate
Topiramate is an anti-epileptic drug that has been proven effective for weight loss in clinical trials. When taken alongside Cymbalta, topiramate can help reduce cravings for carbohydrates and sugar. Topiramate is not FDA approved for the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders. However, it has shown effectiveness in clinical trials for these conditions. The main side effect of topiramate is drowsiness.
Orlistat
With a low rate of side effects and a high success rate, orlistat makes our list of the best Cymbalta diet pills. Orlistat is an over-the-counter weight loss medication that interferes with the normal process of fat breakdown. It is also known as a lipase inhibitor.
Orlistat is generally used in conjunction with other weight loss methods, like diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes. You must take Orlistat with a doctor-approved reduced-calorie diet and regular exercise. Orlistat can also be used along with other weight loss medications.
Orlistat works by interfering with the breakdown of fat in the body. Normally, enzymes break down fat molecules into fatty acids and glycerol. Orlistat blocks the enzymes responsible for this process by about 30%, so that fat is excreted unaltered in your feces instead of being broken down.
Lorcaserin
Studies have shown that lorcaserin is an effective weight loss medication that works especially well for people taking Cymbalta. Lorcaserin is a serotonin agonist and an appetite suppressant that is FDA-approved for people who are obese or who have BMIs over 30.
Lorcaserin is usually prescribed as part of a weight loss program that includes diet and exercise. It is often used along with other medications to help boost the effects. Lorcaserin works by increasing serotonin in the brain, which can help curb hunger.
Lorcaserin may cause side effects like headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and nausea in some people. These side effects generally go away as the body adjusts to the medication over time.
Which Medications Should You Never Take With Cymbalta?
The following is a list of medications that are dangerous to take with Cymbalta. This list is not complete, but it covers the most common situations where Cymbalta and diet pills are deadly together.
- Antidepressants: SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, and Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors are at high risk for dangerous side effects when combined with Cymbalta.
- Antipsychotics: While Cymbalta and diet pills may seem like a strange combination, antipsychotic drugs can be just as deadly.
- Opioids: Cymbalta and diet pills taken with opioids are extremely dangerous. This combination can cause serotonin syndrome, seizures, and even death.
Conclusion
Cymbalta is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors drug known for its ability to help treat depression and anxiety disorders. Cymbalta can also help you lose weight and look better. This is because Cymbalta helps regulate serotonin levels in the brain. When serotonin levels are too high, it can trigger carb and sugar cravings.
When you are taking Cymbalta, you should make sure to eat a balanced diet and get enough exercise. Cymbalta is a great antidepressant to use when you are managing depression or anxiety. But if you are also trying to lose weight, you need to make sure that you are taking Cymbalta as prescribed and following a healthy diet and exercise regime.
Cymbalta can interfere with your natural abilities to process and break down fat, which is why so many people who take it struggle to lose weight. To best combat this side effect of Cymbalta, choose a specific diet that you are comfortable with and can stay on for an extended period. Cymbalta will also affect your sleep patterns which will have a knock-on effect on your metabolism and ability to lose weight.
