Prozac or Metformin for Weight Loss

Monica RN,BSN · Jan 11, 2004

I personally never have heard of eaither to be used for weight loss.. Side effect must be loss of appetite.

sanakruz, ADN · Jan 11, 2004

How about diet and exercise?!

fiestynurse · Jan 11, 2004

I have heard of Prozac being used for Obesity. The makers of Prozac spend tons of money on marketing this drug and are always trying to find new uses for it. I don't know if any legitimate studies have been done on the effectiveness of Prozac and weight loss?

Metformin on the other hand has not been shown to be that effective for weight loss. You probably get better results from a low carb, low sugar, high protein diet. The general weight loss theory is similar.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Jan 11, 2004

From personal experience, I'm NOT impressed with Prozac as a weight loss aid. Years ago, my husband went on it for depression, and he lost 35 pounds; I thought this was just dandy, so I asked my internist for it and GAINED 35 pounds......then I WAS depressed!!

I've had more trouble losing weight since I've been on Paxil (almost 3 years now), but I also attribute that to the fact that I'm not 25 anymore and until recently have been eating a terrible diet most of those years. I don't care. I'd rather struggle with the weight than feel the way I do when I go into one of my deep funks for months at a time, like the sun will never come out and I will never be happy again in this lifetime so why bother. No thanks!

kate930 · Jan 11, 2004

I had taken Prozac about 8years ago. I definately did not lose any weight with it. Gained a few pounds actually. However, I was taking Topomax (seizures) and lost 30 pounds in no time flat!!!

Of course, the other side effects to Topomax were horrible!!! :eek:

adrienurse, LPN · Jan 11, 2004

Originally posted by sanakruz
How about diet and exercise?!

yeah

nptobee · Jan 12, 2004

Originally posted by sanakruz
How about diet and exercise?!

No need for this kind of comment. I do eat well and excercise. I just wanted to find out what you smart folks knew/thought about the matter.

Thanks.

BadBird, BSN, RN · Jan 12, 2004

Metaformin is glucophage which type 2 diabetics take, I don't see how this works as weight control. I have been taking it for 2 years now and I haven't lost weight or had a decreased appetitie. I only wish it was a diet pill too, LOL.

IloveSnoopy · Jan 12, 2004

HI all....

I don't have any experience with Prozac....but I am on 500 mg of Metformin q day for my polycystic ovarian syndrome. PCOS can cause insulin resistance...which I have hence the metformin. I personally have lost about 15 pounds after starting it. It supposedly is helping me to process carbs/sugars better so they don't all end up on my butt. Seems to be helping so far....if I could actually stay on my exercise and diet programs....it would be helping a lot more..LOL..

Snoop'

fiestynurse · Jan 12, 2004

Ilovesnoopy - I have heard of metformin being used for PCOS and infertility. I am just curious - has your doctor also recommended a low carb/sugar diet also?

P.S. I love snoopy, too.

zudy · Jan 12, 2004

A doctor I know that specializes in weight loss told me he uses Prozac in his weight loss program( along w/ diet and exercise) because he said that he had read studies linking obesity and decreased dopamine. He was very interesting, he treats obesity as a disease.