Trying to give Teso Another Go

[dogmom]

I took Teso on and off in 2024 and early 2025. I stopped in June 2025. I was taking 250mcg (biopep) once a week. When I look back, I was taking it with tirz sometimes and reta other times and I was losing weight.

I got down to a goal weight range 140 to 145lbs (although I'd still like to lose 20lbs). It has now been harder to maintain.

I ended up on Wellbutrin/Bupropin earlier this year due to a depressive episode and what I consider ADHD(although the psych claims I don't have ADHD). But I quit that about a month ago. It did ok the first couple of months. It made me very hungry. It was giving me headaches and I felt like the different generics were all affecting me differently. Also I gained 10lbs between Jan and June 2026. Very annoying, now I'm at about 155lbs. Technically in a normal BMI but like 1lb from the overweight range.

Anyway I still have a full bottle of Teso. I plan on taking one a day for about a week and then drop to twice a week, then once a week. I also stopped taking reta regularly. I take it once every other week. But I feel like it is not doing much for appetite suppression. TBH I only keep taking it because of IBS issues I have. I have dealt with constipation issues my whole life and the only thing that makes me regular are glp1s.

I know I can't take Bupropin and Teso together. It may have a negative effect. So that is why I wanted to make sure my system was totally clear.

***I'm just sharing to see if anyone has any advice or thoughts about Teso.

 

[Skidude]

I took Teso on and off in 2024 and early 2025. I stopped in June 2025. I was taking 250mcg (biopep) once a week. When I look back, I was taking it with tirz sometimes and reta other times and I was losing weight.

I am not familiar with Biopep, but did take Teso in 2024. I took 1/2 pills EOD.

I was concerned with the potential issues with mood etc. and decided risk/reward wasn't there when I could achieve goal in other ways. Still have a bottle.

It also was notorious for bad mix with some pills containing significantly more active ingredient than others, not as fool proof as lyophilized powders.


Have you considered upping reta or adding Eloralintide?

As for taking it instead of welbutrin, I would also be cautious. See below


How Tesofensine Interacts with Depression
Tesofensine operates on similar brain pathways to many traditional antidepressants, but it is primarily designed and studied as an obesity medication. Key considerations include: [1, 2]

• Serotonin Syndrome Risk: If you are already taking a serotonergic antidepressant (like an SSRI or SNRI), adding tesofensine can cause a dangerous excess of serotonin, leading to shivering, rigidity, or seizures. [1]
• Mixed Effects on Mood: While some sources suggest its triple-reuptake mechanism might improve mood and energy, clinical obesity trials have also noted instances of increased depressive symptoms, anxiety, and irritability in some patients. [1, 2, 3, 4]
• Interactions with Dopaminergic Drugs: Combining it with stimulants or dopaminergic antidepressants (such as Wellbutrin) can lead to overstimulation, increased blood pressure, and potential tolerance issues

 

[dogmom]

I am not familiar with Biopep, but did take Teso in 2024. I took 1/2 pills EOD.

I was concerned with the potential issues with mood etc. and decided risk/reward wasn't there when I could achieve goal in other ways. Still have a bottle.

It also was notorious for bad mix with some pills containing significantly more active ingredient than others, not as fool proof as lyophilized powders.


Have you considered upping reta or adding Eloralintide?

As for taking it instead of welbutrin, I would also be cautious. See below


How Tesofensine Interacts with Depression
Tesofensine operates on similar brain pathways to many traditional antidepressants, but it is primarily designed and studied as an obesity medication. Key considerations include: [1, 2]

• Serotonin Syndrome Risk: If you are already taking a serotonergic antidepressant (like an SSRI or SNRI), adding tesofensine can cause a dangerous excess of serotonin, leading to shivering, rigidity, or seizures. [1]
• Mixed Effects on Mood: While some sources suggest its triple-reuptake mechanism might improve mood and energy, clinical obesity trials have also noted instances of increased depressive symptoms, anxiety, and irritability in some patients. [1, 2, 3, 4]
• Interactions with Dopaminergic Drugs: Combining it with stimulants or dopaminergic antidepressants (such as Wellbutrin) can lead to overstimulation, increased blood pressure, and potential tolerance issues

I didn't really have any depression when I did take it. Like I mentioned I don't plan on taking Wellbutrin with Teso. I made sure I had Wellbutrin cleared from my system fully. I think taking both can cause serotonin syndrome.


I did have periods where I tried to increase my reta. I took 12mg a week for a while but it made me tired and I noticed increased feelings of depression and adhedonia. So I put it down to 8 to 10mg a week. Then eventually every other week. That too may have led to weight gain. But I just dont like the way I feel when I max out on reta.