What causes sweet cravings when taking psychiatric medication?
Im on invega 3mg and cymbalta 60mg. I noticed last time i took this combination while hospitalized in psych hospital that i was craving sweets and that was a factor in my weight gain. I started taking them again and i notice the same thing that i was craving sweets. Instead of water at work i kept getting diet coke just for that sweet craving even though at first i didnt realize why i wanted it so bad.
Comment from Lee-Ann
Time February 22, 2010 at 3:53 pm
The cravings are not your fault. They are actually the result of the meds’ activity in your brain; serotonergic receptors regulate the appetite and disrupt the normal signals, one may even lose the feelings of fullness and hunger. Neurotransmitters, histamine receptors and other parts of the brain are being confused by the meds and send all kinds of sweet cravings to ones mind. The reduced physical activity and lowered metabolic rate is made worse by the meds’ side effects of tiredness, somnolence and this adds to weight gain, too. And my own experience I had no control over craving carbohydrates and sweets. I started using sugar substitute, and low-cal high fiber carbos. Beware of hyperglycemia and even diabetes. May try other med as Abilify which is has less cravings than Cymbalta. Always talk to doctor first. Good luck, I’ve often come off meds due to the cravings, But mental health must be weighed against bad side effects, it is so important. A change in diet to satisfy cravings with lower calorie choices is helpful. If the medication is working, do anything you have to to stay on it.