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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is It Advisable To Take Belviq For Weight Loss?

i was looking at belviq the new weight loss drug. it says to tell your doctor if you are taking certain drugs. well, i am taking them all. i take effexor, ability, topamax, imitrex as needed, hydrocodoine/apap, soma, lyrica, and zyrtec. does that rule me out to take the new medicine, belviq? thanks YYYY@YYYY
Thu, 3 Sep 2015
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Dietitian & Nutritionist,  's  Response
Good morning and welcome to HCM! Belviq, when used with nutrition education, learning how to eat the correct size portions of the healthiest foods and engaging in a positve lifestyle that will motivate you to maintain weight loss success, then you are already a winner and Belviq may just provide you the needed "push" . Topamax also is known to assist with weight loss. I know you cannot take it with any other serotonin uptake inhibitors, you could get neuroleptic malignant syndrome, so lets look at your medications:

Imitrex: acts via serotonin 5-HT1 receptor agonist
Topimax: ok; Abilify: no grapefruit/citrus/alcohol; Effexor: an SNRI, take with food,increased cholesterol;

Now for belviq- Caution with drugs that have serotonergic activity (see Imitrex and advise discuss with doctor)Ah, here it is, the golden nugget I have been digging for "Monitor for neuroleptic malignant disorder or serotonin syndrome". Not to be used in diabetes, high blood pressure.

Source of Reference: FoodMedications Interactions, 2015
In your best interest, it is not wise for you to take Belviq unless your antidepressant is changed to a tricyclic or other that does not touch your serotonergic pathways.

Very wise to check in. I am glad I could provide the answer to your query.
If I can be of further help, please come back. I have a virtual portal you may enter and we can work on your weight if you would like. Or, just contact us as you did. Best wishes,Kathryn J. Shattler, MS,RDN
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Is It Advisable To Take Belviq For Weight Loss?

Good morning and welcome to HCM! Belviq, when used with nutrition education, learning how to eat the correct size portions of the healthiest foods and engaging in a positve lifestyle that will motivate you to maintain weight loss success, then you are already a winner and Belviq may just provide you the needed push . Topamax also is known to assist with weight loss. I know you cannot take it with any other serotonin uptake inhibitors, you could get neuroleptic malignant syndrome, so lets look at your medications: Imitrex: acts via serotonin 5-HT1 receptor agonist Topimax: ok; Abilify: no grapefruit/citrus/alcohol; Effexor: an SNRI, take with food,increased cholesterol; Now for belviq- Caution with drugs that have serotonergic activity (see Imitrex and advise discuss with doctor)Ah, here it is, the golden nugget I have been digging for Monitor for neuroleptic malignant disorder or serotonin syndrome . Not to be used in diabetes, high blood pressure. Source of Reference: FoodMedications Interactions, 2015 In your best interest, it is not wise for you to take Belviq unless your antidepressant is changed to a tricyclic or other that does not touch your serotonergic pathways. Very wise to check in. I am glad I could provide the answer to your query. If I can be of further help, please come back. I have a virtual portal you may enter and we can work on your weight if you would like. Or, just contact us as you did. Best wishes,Kathryn J. Shattler, MS,RDN