Psyllium Fiber & Weight Loss. Psyllium fiber is a soluble fiber derived from a shrublike plant called plantago ovata. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, this plant yields up to 1. It is frequently used as a laxative, and is included in products such as Metamucil. In addition, psyllium is also thought to have benefit in lowering cholesterol, stabilizing blood sugar and decreasing heart disease risk, the University of Maryland Medical Center reports. It may also be useful in weight loss and maintenance. Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of taking psyllium. Psyllium fiber's primary benefit in weight loss appears to be in its ability to control appetite. A study published in the . In the study, which was led by D. 10 Drugs That May Cause Memory Loss Having trouble remembering things? One of these meds may be the problem. Neel Jr., AARP, Updated June 2015 Consumer drug overview and uses for the medication Elavil (Amitriptyline). Learn about amitriptyline ((Elavil, Endep) an antidepressant drug used to treat depression. Drug interactions and side effects are also included in the information. I should be happy about it. Well at first I was. Now 60 pounds later I am not so happy. Rigaud of the Service de Gastroenterologie et Nutrition, Hopital Bichat, Paris, the volunteers were given 7. The researchers reported that psyllium appeared to decrease both appetite and food intake in the subjects. Psyllium fiber is available in various forms for dietary consumption and supplementation. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, it is available in both dry seed and husk form. It is also used in commercial laxatives, and can be acquired on its own in the form of capsules, tablets and wafers. Some cereals are also enriched with psyllium to add to fiber content. The University of Maryland Medical Center advises taking psyllium 3. If taking psyllium in seed form, you should mix between 1/2 tsp. Mix well, and be sure to drink the mixture soon after adding the seeds, as psyllium thickens quickly when added to water, and may become difficult to swallow. If you are taking psyllium as part of a commercial product, follow the package directions. Regardless of the formulation of psyllium, water is essential. The University of Maryland Medical Center advises drinking 8 oz. Among the medications that may be affected by psyllium fiber are tricyclic antidepressants such as Elavil, Sinequan and Tofranil, the seizure medication Tegretol, a class of cholesterol- lowering medications called bile acid sequestrants, diabetes medications, the heart medication digoxin and the psychiatric medication lithium. Photo Credit Duncan Smith/Photodisc/Getty Images. Amitriptyline(Elavil) generic is a tricyclic antidepressant, prescribed for depression. It is also prescribed for migraine and nerve pain. It corrects the imbalance. Talk to your doctor about any potential interactions. Drugs. com notes that laxatives can be addictive if taken for too long a period of time. You should avoid taking psyllium or any laxative product beyond the time period stipulated on the label or recommended by a doctor. In addition, you shouldn't rely entirely on psyllium fiber for your weight loss. A healthy diet and exercise are essential to long- term weight loss and maintenance. Amitriptyline (Elavil) - Side Effects, Dosage, Interactions. Q: I take 7. 5 mgs of amitriptyline at night. I've come out in lumps on my forehead and my acne seems to have been rearing its ugly head again. I have multiple sclerosis. A: The prescribing information does not list acne as a common or rare side effect of the medication amitriptyline. It is possible the medication may be a factor, but you should consult with your physician about any skin changes that are occurring. Q: Is there any correlation between amitriptyline and memory loss? A: Amitriptyline may cause drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty thinking and concentrating. Studies have shown that impairments on memory tasks can occur in patients taking amitriptyline. For more information about amitriptyline and memory loss, please consult with your healthcare practitioner and visit http: //www. Q: My doctor told me today that I have cardiac toxicity. Is that really dangerous? He said it has been brought on by my taking amitriptyline. My youngest brother died two years ago of sudden heart failure. Now I am worried I may suffer the same fate as he did. A: Cardiac toxicity is when your heart muscle is damaged. The heart becomes weaker and is not as efficient in pumping and therefore circulating blood. Cardiac toxicity may be caused by medications, usually ones used to treat cancer. Heart problems can be mild and only detectable by sophisticated tests, or they can be severe, resulting in congestive heart failure (CHF). Only your physician can determine whether your heart problems are mild, moderate, or severe. Q: I'm currently taking 1. Can I still drink alcohol? If so, do I take my pill before bed still after an evening of drinking or do I take it earlier on in the day? A: Amitriptyline may enhance the effects of alcohol, barbiturates, and other medicines that can affect the brain. This may lead to an increased risk of drowsiness, dizziness, suicidal thoughts, and other symptoms. Make sure to talk with your health care provider about drinking alcohol while taking amitriptyline. Lori Mendoza, Pharm. D Poulin, Pharm. D - Q: Can amitriptyline cause dry mouth? What are the effects of abruptly stopping of this medication? A: Amitriptyline (Elavil) is classified as a tricyclic antidepressant medication. Amitriptyline is approved for the treatment of depression. According to medical references, xerostomia or dry mouth is a possible side effect reported by studied patients taking amitriptyline. If you believe that you are experiencing a side effect from your medication, talk with your physician. Do not stop taking or change the dose of your medication without talking to your physician first. It is important to take your medication exactly as prescribed by your physician. If you are considering stopping the medication, talk with your physician prior to doing so. Your physician can determine if stopping the medication is appropriate for you or not and will give you specific directions on how to stop the medication and if another medication needs to be started. Jen Marsico, RPh. Q: What will happen if I am taken off amitriptyline without being weaned off? A: You should not stop using Elavil (amitriptyline) without first talking to your doctor. The medical literature suggests tapering (gradually reducing) the dose of medication, especially if you have been taking it for a while. Stopping this medication suddenly could cause you to have withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, headache, insomnia, fatigue, and sweating. It is best to taper the dose of medication over a period of at least a few weeks to prevent withdrawal. It may take up to four weeks for amitriptyline to start working. The most common side effects of amitriptyline are nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, loss of appetite, dry mouth, dizziness, drowsiness, trouble concentrating, nightmares, blurred vision, headache, ringing in your ears, decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm. This is not a complete list of side effects; and more severe side effects are possible. Amitriptyline can interact with other medications. Burton Dunaway, Pharm. DQ: Does Endep cause weird dreams? A: Endep or Elavil (amitriptyline) is in a group of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants, which affect chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced. According to the FDA- approved drug information, abnormal dreams are not a side effect of amitriptyline. Antidepressants can cause sleep problems and mental status changes, it is possible that this drug can cause weird dreams in some patients. Consult your physician if this problem continues or becomes intolerable. The most common side effects of amitriptyline are blurred vision, change in sexual desire or ability, diarrhea, constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, headache, loss of appetite, nausea, trouble sleeping, and weakness. Amitriptyline can interact with other medications. When your doctor prescribes a new medication, be sure to discuss all your prescription and over- the- counter drugs, including dietary supplements, vitamins, as well as the foods you eat. Always keep a current list of the drugs and supplements you take and review it with your health care providers and your pharmacist. If possible, use one pharmacy for all your prescription medications and over- the- counter products. This allows your pharmacist to keep a complete record of all your prescription drugs and to advise you about drug interactions and side effects. Burton Dunaway, Pharm. DQ: Is amitriptyline harmful? I have seen bad reviews for this drug, but it is the only drug that helps me for depresson. A: Elavil (amitriptyline) (http: //www. Amitriptyline is used for depression and may be used by other conditions by the doctor. Common side effects of amitriptyline include dry mouth, loss of appetite, dizziness, drowsiness, and blurred vision. Other side effects may include trouble concentrating, nightmares, and a decreased sex drive. This is not a complete list of the side effects associated with amitriptyline. For more specific information, consult with your doctor or pharmacist for guidance based on your health status and current medications, particularly before taking any action. When your doctor prescribes a new medication, be sure to discuss all your prescription and over- the- counter drugs, including dietary supplements, vitamins, botanicals, minerals, and herbals, as well as the foods you eat. Always keep a current list of the drugs and supplements you take and review it with your health care providers and your pharmacist. If possible, use one pharmacy for all your prescription medications and over- the- counter products. This allows your pharmacist to keep a complete record of all your prescription drugs and to advise you about drug interactions and side effects. Tell your health care provider about any negative side effects from prescription drugs. You can also report them to the U. S. Food and Drug Administration by visiting https: //www. Safety/Med. Watch/default. FDA- 1. 08. 8. Kimberly Hotz, Pharm. D. Q: Does amitriptyline cause erectile dysfunction? A: Amitriptyline belongs to a class of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants that affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced. It is used to treat symptoms of depression. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, loss of appetite, dry mouth, unpleasant taste, dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness, trouble concentrating, nightmares, blurred vision, headache, ringing in the ears, decreased sex drive, impotence, and difficulty having an orgasm. This is not a complete list of side effects that can occurs with amitriptyline. The impotence or erectile dysfunction caused by amitriptyline is related to how the drug works and the specific chemicals it affects. However, impotence can also be a symptoms of depression. So, it is important to talk to your doctor about your difficulties. Impotence that is due to amitriptyline is generally reversible with a dosage adjustment or by switching to another antidepressant. Do not stop or change the amount of medication you take without talking to your doctor first. Dosage changes should only be done with the supervision of your doctor and suddenly stopping an antidepressant can cause withdrawal side effects. Consult your doctor for specific recommendations. Your doctor is best able to guide your treatment decisions based on your specific circumstances. For more specific information, consult with your doctor or local pharmacist for guidance based on your health status and current medications, particularly before taking any action. Sarah Lewis, RPh, Pharm. DQ: My doctor prescribed 1. Another medic has warned me that it should never be prescribed for seniors. What do you recommend? A: Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant, an older group of medications that have been used to treat depression for many years. It is also used for other conditions such as pain, anxiety, fibromylagia, and migraines. The reason that this medication should not be used in older individuals is because of the possibility of the patient having other medical conditions that amitriptyline may aggravate. Amitriptyline is not recommended during the acute recovery phase following a heart attack or in the presence of congestive heart failure. The medication has been shown to cause low blood pressure, arrhythmias, and heart conduction abnormalities so caution is advised if used in patients with pre- existing cardiovascular disease. The elderly appear to be more sensitive to Elavil, which can increase their risk of side effects, such as delirium and confusion. In these particular situations, a health care provider will start people on lower doses of Elavil and monitor them more closely. As long as the physician who is prescribing amitriptyline is aware of any other health conditions you may have, there should be no problem in taking this medication. If you experience any strange side effects or unusual feelings you should contact the prescriber as soon as possible.
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