Med adjustments needed due to weight loss?

[EveHarrington]

This is the second time in a week that my Ativan has knocked me on my ass and caused extreme sedation. (At my typical 1mg dose that has been ok in the past.)

This is new to me.

I'm not sure if recent weight loss means I need a smaller dose, or if there's some sort of piggyback reaction with toxins/residual meds being released from my fat stores as I lose weight.

All I know is that this sedation is off the walls crazy and I'm falling asleep while cooking, falling asleep while eating, and haven't really tried much else cuz yeah I'll just fall asleep!

Anyone have any experience with this kind of thing?

 

[anonymous]

A lot of drugs do this to me...
So far...

Prozac
Cymbalta
Nortriptiline
Klonopin
Lexapro
Xanex

I CANNOT stay awake on them, and had to quit because of it. It isnt an abrupt change though. I was never okay with them.

 

[EveHarrington]

I've been on Ativan for a long time (not dependent).

This knock me on my ass at 1mg thing is new to me as I've always been able to tolerate this dose in the past. It's my standard dose.

I'm guessing my decreased tolerance may be due to weight/fat loss.

 

[Deleted member 12723]

Why don't you do some computer research and google it to make sure. I think weight loss could be any number of things, better to be safe and find out than be sorry. Good luck.

 

[EveHarrington]

I don't think my question is clear.

Meds are not causing my weight loss.

Walking a bajillion miles and eating right is why I lost weight (and continue to lose weight).

I'm wondering if others have experience with needing to adjust med dosages after loosing weight.

 

[cntrymom08466]

I have never experienced it, but I would imagine if you have lost a significant amount of weight it might make a difference. I would check with the dr. Because they prescribe based on size and weight as well as age and tolerance. Just a thought.

 

[Cannottakethis]

I think certain meds may need to be calibrated due to weight changes, especially something like Ativan. Maybe try taking 1/2 and see if it helps.

 

[ShodokanJenn]

I have had to change dosages because of weight GAIN (caused by the olanzapine I was on for 15 months). My previous doses were no longer effective. So I would think it could work the opposite, too. For instance, when I was down to 100 pounds, I only needed .5 mg of Ativan to relieve most anxiety, and 5mg of Ambien to sleep. Now at 180, I need 1 mg of Ativan and 3 mg of Lunesta and 20 mg of Prazosin. The weight is finally starting to come off a little, and my GP has advised me to monitor closely for side effects as my metabolism changes. If you're eating right and losing weight, your metabolism is probably changing as well, and things may be absorbing very differently. I think it would be a good idea to discuss with your doc.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

Have you spoken to your prescribing Dr or pharamcist yet? I would. Either would give a much better answer then me.

So, my reply comes from meds in general. I have never been on your med.

Weight loss absolutly changes the needed dose of just about any drug. This is true of pain pills as well and as you research, just about every class of medication says you need more the more weight you have on you and less the less weight. Think about animals and how we dose them. By weight. It is the exact same for humans. Sedation is common with meds for mental reasons when up too high.

If it is a drug that can be split (not an extended release) then I would recommend breaking one in half in a day and see how that works. Time of the day matters too. Like the Seriquel XR I take, though extended release and though for daytime use, is taken at night 4 hrs before bed. So make sure you are following that too. And an hour or even a half hour has mattered greatly for me in that aspect. Miss it and remember an hour later (like I am doing now without my medication reminder on my phone) and that can make or break my next day.

Also always keep in mind that exhaustion even to the levels you describe can be a physical manifestation of mental issues. I have just that same amount of sedation many days and in my case meds aren't too high. But that is the firat thing I would check.

Hope this helps!