Bipolar Beat

Many people who carry the bipolar diagnosis also carry something else – extra pounds – primarily due to the medications used to treat mania or depression. Atypical antipsychotics, including Zyprexa and Seroquel; anti-manics, including lithium and Depakote; and even some antidepressants have been known to pack on the pounds, despite a person’s best efforts to stay fit and trim.

Doctors and therapists don’t always treat medication-induced weight gain with the sensitivity or importance it deserves. As long as you’re not manic or depressed, they seem to think you should be thankful and accept the weight gain as a necessary trade-off for the privilege of mood stability. Others casually shift the responsibility to their patients, suggesting that normal exercise and dieting can shed the unwanted pounds, rarely acknowledging the fact that when you’re depressed, you may not feel much like jogging or swimming laps.

When you’re not the one carrying the extra 10 to 50 pounds, it’s easy to shrug it off as though it’s of little concern, but weight gain can and often does lead to other problems:

  • Poor self esteem – from tight-fitting clothes and looking or feeling not as fit as they would like.
  • Medication noncompliance – stopping the medications they suspect of causing the weight gain.
  • Physical health risks – including high-cholesterol, diabetes, and heart disease.

Weight gain is one of the most common and difficult side effects of many of the medications used to treat bipolar disorder and other psychiatric illness. It is something I address daily with patients and families – when picking an initial medication or adjusting or changing prescriptions. This topic comes up constantly.

In this post, I highlight the most common culprits (the medications most likely to cause the most weight gain) and offer a pro-active approach that has helped many of my patients keep the pounds off or shed them later.

Atypical Antipsychotics

Almost all of the atypical antipsychotics are notorious for causing fairly significant weight gain in most (but not all) people who take them. Here’s the list of culprits ranked from most to least risk for causing weight gain:

  • High risk: Olanzapine (Zyprexa), quetiapine (Seroquel), risperidone (Risperdal), aripiprazole (Abilify), and clozapin (Clozaril)
  • Little to no risk: Ziprasidone (Geodon) and older first-generation antipsychotics such as perphenazine (Trilafon)

The weight gain from antipsychotics appears to come from increased appetite (“hyperphagia”) and some changes in metabolism. This family of medicines also has varying degrees of risk of certain health risks such as diabetes and elevated cholesterol, which may be related to the medication’s effect on metabolism.

Antidepressants and Antianxiety Medications

Antidepressants and antianxiety medications all have some risk of weight gain, although not typically in the same severe range as the antipsychotics. The risk seems to be more individualized – some people notice a lot of change in appetite and weight and some notice little. Occasionally, some people actually lose weight on these meds. In addition, these medications do not carry specifically the risks of diabetes and high cholesterol.

The most common antidepressants and antianxiety medications are the SSRI’s and SNRI’s (the weight gain risk really depends on the individual):

  • SSRI’s: Fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), paroxetine (Paxil), and citalopram (Celexa) are some examples.
  • SNRI’s: Venlafaxine (Effexor) and Duloxetine (Cymbalta) are the most common.

Bupropion (Wellbutrin), which is in a class of its own, is the only antidepressant without any risk of weight gain – but it is not particularly effective for anxiety.

Anti-Manics or “Mood Stabilizers” and Anti-Seizure Medications

Mood stabilizers and the anti-seizure medications often used to treat or prevent mania may also carry the risk of causing weight gain, but the risk varies depending on the medication and its effect on the person taking it:

Curbing Weight Gain via Medication

When medication triggers weight gain, one of the more obvious solutions is through medications – either selecting a different medication that’s less likely to cause weight gain or adding a medication that has a track record for negating the weight-gain side effect. Here are some common options:

  • Choose a different medication. If Zyprexa causes significant weight gain, for example, switching to Geodon may deliver similar benefits with little or no risk of causing weight gain.
  • Try a different form of the same medication. Olanzapine (Zyprexa), for example, is also offered as a dissolvable tablet (Zydis) that melts in your mouth. The theory is that your mouth membranes absorb most of the medication before it gets into your stomach where it’s more likely to stimulate the appetite. (This does not have any scientific support at the moment, but it doesn’t hurt to try.)
  • Add topiramate (Topamax) to the mix. Topiramate has been shown, in some studies, to reduce appetite and limit weight gain (particularly weight gain associated with atypical antipsychotics).
  • Add metformin (Glucophage) to the mix. Metformin, a medication used to treat diabetes, –is being studied to see if it may reduce weight gain and/or the risk of developing diabetes associated with some psychiatric medications.
  • Replace your atypical antipsychotic with an older, first-generation antipsychotic. The atypical antipsychotics (second-generation antipsychotics) generally have been thought to have fewer serious side effects than the older versions. However, several recent studies have indicated that the atypical antipsychotics may not have any better outcomes than the older ones, such as perphenizine (Trilafon) and molindone (Moban). And while the older antipsychotics have their own particular risk profile – movement disorders in particular – they do not have the same weight gain and metabolic risks seen in the newer drugs. So it seems that the choices for medications may be broader than we have gotten used to recently. In other words, for some people, the older, less expensive antipsychotics may be a better choice.

In some cases, changing medications can be “just what the doctor ordered.”

Taking a Proactive Approach to Curbing Weight Gain

In my practice, we remain well aware of the potential weight gain risks associated with the various medications and prescribe medications in such a way as to reduce the risks as much as possible. In addition, we take a very proactive approach in monitoring weight and take action as soon as we notice any changes:

  1. We monitor weight and appetite from the start, so that we can take action before the weight gain becomes a big problem. You needn’t jump on the scales every day. We just check weights at regular visits and sometimes recommend briefly keeping a food and/or appetite journal.
  2. We order regular lab tests to keep an eye on glucose and cholesterol levels. The testing should be done at least once a year – probably more like every six months. It should include just a routine glucose and a lipid panel. The “range” on the lab slip shows the cut offs, but more importantly, we’re looking for significant shifts from baseline.
  3. When starting a new medication or changing medications, work with your doctor to increase the calories you burn while maintaining your caloric intake. Any movement will do, so don’t think you have to join a gym – walking a little more each day can do wonders. Likewise, you don’t have to go on a strict diet – try to keep the calories going in about the same as before or with as little increase as possible. Some studies have shown that the weight gain can be more limited with a proactive approach to nutrition and exercise.We may include a consult with a nutritionist or exercise trainer (assuming that’s an option) to help plan and monitor calorie intake and develop reasonable and doable exercise or movement plans. Small, manageable changes are the goals.
  4. We often work together with the primary care doctor in all of the steps. Because of the medical risks with the atypicals, it’s a good idea to keep the primary care physician in the loop; they can keep a closer eye on health issues related to these meds, and may have other ideas or input regarding keeping weight gain down to a dull roar.

The most important factor here is good communication with your prescriber and regular monitoring of the medications and their effects – both good and bad. Some weight gain may be unavoidable, but try to be honest with your doctor about what you will and will not live with in this department.

Remember: Call your doctor to discuss any problems with the medicines, rather than stopping the medication on your own. This is a team project, and the outcomes are better when the team works together.

If you have any additional tips or suggestions on preventing or reversing the weight gain associated with psychiatric medications, please share your insights and experiences with others by posting a comment.

You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

  Emily at 5:17 pm on October 22nd, 2008

Weight gain is an often ignored side effect and doctors do not realize how detrimental it can be!

  Michelle at 8:03 am on October 23rd, 2008

I went from 125 lbs to over 150+ in a matter of 8 weeks. I was on Abilify. I stopped taking it and my doctor prescribed Geodon, and I haven’t even taken it because I’m so scared I’m going to gain more weight. I am a health conscious person…I go to the gym on a regular basis and I used to model. Taking those meds and gaining weight is counterproductive in my eyes because it causes me more depression than ever!!!

  Ruby at 9:05 am on October 23rd, 2008

I’m in college and piled on the weight due to my meds, now my clothes don’t fit properly and I can’t afford new ones. It’s so embarressing and I’ll have to resort to stealing if I get any bigger………. I used to be a slim active girl now I’m too embarressed to go to the gym because my gym clothes are too small. Please guys any suggestions????

  Michelle at 10:18 am on October 23rd, 2008

Ruby–

The only thing I can suggest is borrowing from bigger friends if you can’t afford new clothes. I had to buy new gym clothes this week and I got some good deals from Kohl’s and JCPenny. I know how broke it is being in college, but you could always try Goodwill for some TShirts and stuff. I feel your pain because I went from a size 6 to a 12 and I had to buy new clothes and it wasn’t cheap…I couldn’t live in sweats everyday. Keep your chin up…I’m trying to do the same.

  Ellen at 8:01 pm on October 24th, 2008

The idea that weight gain from the atypicals is caused by an increase in appetite was just plain wrong. I have tried abilify and respiradal and gained 2-3 pounds a week, even though I was dieting and exercising regularly. I got so fat from these drugs — gained 35 pounds, 20% of my bodyweight — that I feel more depressed than ever. They work wonders, no question. But the rate of weight gain on these drugs is terrifying. I’ve had been slender all my life and now I am just fat.

  Jennifer at 5:16 pm on October 25th, 2008

I appreciate the information that is provided in the article. However, I strongly disagree with the notion that a “gym membership is unnecessary” and all you need to do is walk around 30 minutes a day. I’ve read that so many times. While it may people feel good, it is simply untrue based on my own personal experience. In my case, I started Lithium six months ago being about 40 lbs. overweight. Guess what got me there? Depression and anxiety, in part. Hard to be motivated to lose weight when you’re depressed. Now that I’m on Lithium, I feel great and motivated to lose weight. I’ve lost fifteen pounds since June, but it’s been extremely difficult…far more difficult than in past attempts. I work out at the gym almost everyday (doing both an hour of aerobics and half an hour of strength training). I keep a exercise journal to monitor my progress and set goals. I watch what I eat carefully, focusing on eating plenty of fiber, vegetables and leaner proteins. Lithium is associated with weight gain because it inevitably causes hyperthyroidism according to my psychiatrist. My last blood test indicated borderline hyperthyroidism which means I’ll inevitably need to be on synthetic thyroid hormone. My weight loss has halted and I’ve become exhausted from my concerted efforts. Hopefully, once I’m on the synthetic hormone it will be easier. Sorry about the negativity, but this has been my experience. If you really want to lose weight be serious about exercise and try to do it everyday (knowing you won’t really end up doing it every day). 50 to 60 minutes of aerobics (bicycling, treadmill, elliptical) and get some good nutrition books (not diet books).
Good luck you all. I know it’s not easy and can be depressing even when on meds that work.

  Dreamer at 11:08 pm on October 25th, 2008

I have been on a combination of citalopram, olanzapine and bupropion for a few months and I have gained 20 pounds. None of my old clothes fit anymore, I feel absolutely terrible about how I look, and I am ashamed to be naked in front of my partner. I’ve got to get off these meds, but I’m too afraid of what I will be like without them knowing how bad I was before. I don’t know what to do!

  Vanessa at 1:41 pm on November 6th, 2008

I went from 115 to 180 in a month and a half on Rispedol. I lost 30 once I quit taking it and now I am quickly jumping back up again on zyprexa. I am 5′ and 192lbs. I have high blood pressure and have severe pitting edema and neither my GP nor my psych doc seem to care. My psych put me on the magic disolvable tablets that leave a horrid taste in the mouth for hours after taking them. I have ripped the seat out of five pairs of pants this year from my ever widening rear end. I once battle bulemia for a while so this is extremely trying on me. The pitting edema makes my legs hurt as if there is a turniquet on them and my GP tells me it is because I am “fat and need to lose weight”. I am going to see a dietician for a glimmer of hope all though I eat nothing but salads and fruits. Exercise? I get winded from bending over to tie my shoes. I take a diuretic with my blood pressure med but it doesn’t work what so ever and my doctor says it is because I am over weight, now does that sound feasible? Anyone have any ideas? I am thinking about just eating my doctors and saying forget it.

  sally at 2:17 am on November 8th, 2008

I went from 110 to 243. i have been on every kind of psych med for bipolar there is. ive been bipolar since 2001. the only thing i have found that works in counter acting the weight gain is the atkins diet. when i follow it like it states to i can maintain a size ten and a 150 weight mark at 5’6. Its a lifestyle change and may not work for everyone. I did not exersise either while on it other than working ad walking.

  Dahlia at 3:06 pm on November 15th, 2008

I’m taking a combination of antidepressants, mood stabilizers and anti-anxiety meds (along with hypothryoid and high doses of Vit. D). I work full-time and have a healthy diet.

While I’m relieved that I’m not manic or depressed, I have gained 50% of my body weight in the past 6 years (120 to 180). I like that this article addresses the fact that going to gym and simply exercising is difficult b/c of how demoralizing and depressing it can be to have weight gain.

I don’t recognize myself anymore and it’s very difficult. There HAS to be a balance here. First, I just need to get the energy to go to the gym and start with the basics. I’ve never had to before, but now I do.

  Paula at 9:43 am on November 29th, 2008

I gained 50 lbs in 6 mths on zyprexa. I feel great other than being fat. I have a history of anorexia and bulimia so this weight gain is very difficult to accept. Sane and fat or thin and crazy? Of course, I will take the first but I can’t say the weight isn’t a problem. Going from a size 8 to a size 16 cost me a fortune in clothes. I am only taking 2.5 mg of zyprexa right now but the damage has already been done.

  Suzanne at 4:38 pm on December 2nd, 2008

My reaction is extreme. My mother had bipolar & was not able to be helped & committed suicide when I was 15. My father told me she killed herself she because “she was losing her looks.” She was a very beautiful woman & he always was focused on her looks & not much else.

Well, I internalized that value of his & 2 1/2 yrs. ago when my husband told me that he no longer found me sexually attractive after my weight gain of 50 lbs. over 10 yrs. on psych meds for bipolar 1–I immediately felt that I had no worth as a woman & reacted just as my mother did–a suicide attempt…

  Jude Morris at 5:47 pm on December 25th, 2008

I gained almost 100 pounds on my first meds. The doctors kept switching meds, ignoring the weight gain. Then I found a great doctor who added Topamax to my med regime. I lost 85 pounds in a year and half and feel great. I am rarely hungry on Topamax and have to keep a careful schedule to remind myself to eat regularly. I also don’t have the extreme carb cravings I was having on my regular meds alone. Exercise is such an important part of keeping this condition under control, I have found. A good sleep routine, a regulated diet, and daily exercise have put me back together again after an extreme breakdown nine years ago.

  sonia at 8:38 pm on January 8th, 2009

i have been on quetiapine for 8 weeks and have gained 1 stone thats 14 pounds. mentaly i’ve never felt so balanced but the increased weight gain is worrying me and making me feel very conscious of my figure. I keep craving mashed potatoe…. i take my meds in the morning and at night but when i take them in the day they make me feel so tired that i have no energy to do excercise.

  Donna at 4:03 pm on January 9th, 2009

I am so glad I found this site just glad to know I’m not the only one.I was diagnosed as Bipolar a year and a half ago my weight gain soon followed.After changing my meds a few times everything from risperdal to depekote to abilify my weight had sky rocketed from 150 to 260 over one hundred pounds gained scary I know and in such a short amount of time. The meds made me very tired and hungry!!! I had no motivation coming from anywhere. I have recently moved and now see a new doctor who has changed my meds to Geodon; this has been a good switch for me mentally and also I have stopped gaining weight…but now i struggle with obesity and high blood sugar all thanks to being Bipolar.

  Aggravated at 3:23 pm on January 14th, 2009

I have been on a boatload of dif kinds of anti-depressants and mood stabilizers for ADHD and even those meds caused major weight probs for me. I am currently taking a combo of cymbalta, concerta, and topamax and talked to my doctor about going off my meds as an adult. The only problem is that I feel mentally and emotionally great…but within the past two weeks of taking LESS medication ive gained 7-8 lbs. I dont want to take medication just to keep my weight down and if it isnt necessary to take as much I would like to go that route but I didnt think I would run into the issue of gaining weight as Im being tappered off my meds!

  Shelleyb at 4:51 pm on January 21st, 2009

I was born bipolar, my mother was also bipolar, but when each of us was diagnosed ‘officially’, it was known as manic depression. I been given many different medications, but I have to keep changing drugs due to the fact that I always have too many adverse reactions to most of them. I have spent the last eight years working with my present doctor, who was the first person to ever take the time to explain what manic depression aka bipolar really is and why it is important for me to keep taking meds. I thought that I had the perfect balance, or drug ‘cocktail’ after he prescribed the latest one–Risperdal. But to my dismay, it has made me gain over 35 pounds in the first 2 months. I had to lose weight before because I have terribly high cholestoral (which has now risen even higher than before), and I have a history of heart problems in my immediate family and past generations. But my husband and I discussed it and decided that it is better to be alive than to be mentally ‘balanced’. I have an appointment next week to discuss this problem, and I am taking him with me for emotional back up. I hope my doctor will have a solution or a different med to prescribe for me that will work as well as Risperdal with less side effects…I am keeping my fingers crossed.

  Anonymous at 10:04 pm on January 22nd, 2009

I’ve been taking Zoloft for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder for about 2 years. Gained about 15 to 20 pounds approximately. I used to average 175 to 180′s, now it’s wavering between high 180s and 200. Now, this isn’t necessarily steady, because I’ve been struggling with maintaining/losing the weight the whole time. But for the most part I can tell you that when on Zoloft, you’ll have to ditch your old eating habits and step up the exercise. I guarantee you that if I had kept my old habits, I’d be much heavier than I am now. It’s an annoyance, but trust me, it’s better than a mind ravaged. I may be heavier, but I can say I’m happier. But not to worry, it’s not impossible. You have options.

For one, I recommend taking Green Tea Extract. It increases your metabolism, curbs your appetite, and you lose 75 calories everyday (mind you this is if you’re generally sedentary everyday. Results vary with activity obviously).

Good luck all.

  roberta at 8:24 am on February 18th, 2009

i am 46 diagnosed with bipolar. i have gained 40 lbs and i have gone up 3 clothes in one year. still looking for a magic pill to get it off as i have no energy due to the meds.

if anyone comes up with something i sure would like to know.

frustration in toronto.

  Amy at 9:03 pm on February 20th, 2009

I am so happy to see I am not the only one out there. I was diagnosed bipolar 3years ago. Went from a size 6 and now a 14 pushing 16. I have been on so many drugs. I just want answers to help lose this weight. I am in the gym busting my butt 5 days a week and eating right and not losing! Talk about frustration. I think that makes me more depressed. I am getting married in a little over a year. I want to look great.

Continuing to be frustrated.

  Kathleen at 8:47 am on February 23rd, 2009

I gained 57 pounds plus on Lithium 5 years ago and am now trying to lose it. I am committed to lose this weight- joined a gym a few months ago. So far I’ve lost 22 pounds. It’s very difficult. My mental health is ok but this excess weight makes me feel like crap about myself. It is a comfort to know I’m not alone.

  Debby Green at 7:32 am on March 2nd, 2009

Being a mother of a daughter who is ADHD/Bi-Polar. I know only to well what the ALL of you are going thru!! What the heck??!! See,s like a NO WIN situation.. I mean of course being diagnosed with those issues to get them under control is important. And this med has put my daughter to border line honor roll. But then the down side is since she has been taking the Symbayax, OMG in six months she has gained some 70 lbs. This is insane!! Of course the dr says with her being 12 she is just eating more and growing. Well “hello” I;m not stupid here@!@ having done reasearch have found like 21% of the persons taking Symbayax for bi-polar gain weight. Am going to make this guys ears burn this coming Friday. Yes there are extreme anger issues, but this weight gain distroys her self esteem!! She takes Aderall, but then with the extreme weight gain the 30 mg perscribed when she was 120 is hardly effective at 190. Well then am cautious with what I want her to try to get this weight off. Have been loking at a product call lipofemme. Has anyone here heard of? Just want to be sure it mixes well with the adderall,lamictal. Am thinking we are just going to get the heck off the symbayax.

  Catherine at 5:09 pm on March 10th, 2009

I have been on Zeldox (Geodon) for 12 months now. I have gained 10 kg – 20 lbs during this time and now my doctor says that I have an underactive thyroid. I am in total diesbelief. Is it possible that the slow down in metabolism is called by Zeldox and it’s a mistaken diagnoses?

  Catherine at 5:10 pm on March 10th, 2009

sorry – caused by Zeldox

  Michelle at 10:24 pm on March 10th, 2009

I just accepted the diagnosis of Bipolar from a really great internal medicine doctor and he started me on Lithium and then added Zyprexa this week. I have gained 5 lbs. since starting Lithium and since I also have a cyst on my thyroid so I saw an Endocronologist and he wants me to take Metformin and the Pill, he says it is my Thyroid causing all the problems and isn’t Bipolar – I am so confused. I have not started Endo’s recommendations because I think I am a guinea pig who is going to end up weighing 500 lbs. from the looks of it here on this site. It osunds like other’s on this site may have experienced the same thing…any advice?

  roberta at 6:27 am on March 12th, 2009

i am on lithium and i have gone from 120 lbs to 165 in a year and a half. clothes don’t fit and increased depression has set in. what bipolar meds are available with no weight gain. also i was told coming off lithium is a horror store. help.

  Nancy at 9:03 am on March 20th, 2009

I’m on Lithium and Seroquel, they make me so dizzy, queasy and sick that I actually lost 10 lbs in the last 6 months. I’m so scared that when the side effects subside that I’ll gain it back in triple.

  Marie at 7:28 am on March 24th, 2009

I think that the reason I have put on weight on Olanzepene over the years is because of an extreme increase in appetite. This is particularly noticeable about half an hour after I have taken it in the evening. My psych has suggested various alternatives , eg abilify but I am very reluctant to change because I know the consequences could be dier. However, I have started keeping a food diary, just for myself, and being lucky enough to have a dog , walk him every day and go to the gym when I can.. As for the intense cravings when I have gone to bed, instead of just eating indiscriminately I take something like a banana to bed. I don’t always succeed especially when I’m not feeling in a happy place but I am losing weight, slowly.

  Brenda at 1:46 pm on March 24th, 2009

My daughter gained about 20 pounds. She’s on lithium and rispridol. She was small to begin with but 20 pounds is allot even for her. The doctor she was seeing didn’t seem worried at all. He kept track of her weight but did nothing to keep her from gaining it.

  Diane at 10:48 am on March 25th, 2009

Gained 24 lbs on Zoloft and Seroquel. Changed to Lexipro and Geodon, lost 15.
Just a thought, good luck.

  rakesh at 11:26 am on March 25th, 2009

dear sir /madam

i am on prozec 40 morning
lamatrogine (lamtec lamez 50mg) 1-0-1

immiprimine 50mg 1-50mg.-150mg.

valium 4mg -4mg -10 mg.

weighs 115 kgs

my age is 46 years

i used to be in between 70-80 kg before

kindly advice

reagards

rakesh

  Brenda at 9:54 am on April 4th, 2009

My daughter has gain about 20 pounds. She weighs about 130 now. I am still worried about the excessive weight. Her doctor doesn’t seem to think it’s very important. My daughter has started walking the greenbelt with her grandmother and they are both loosing some extra weight.

  Tee at 12:49 pm on April 13th, 2009

I have been bipolar for almost 5 years, prior to that I was just depressed so they say and have been on every thing that never helped. I am now on adderall and effexor. I still have mood swings pretty bad, I can’t deal with this weight gain. I am under 5 foot tall and wiegh over 165 punds. You can’t tell me they can’t find something to help us and not cause this weight gain. This just adds to our problems and I hate changing meds as then there is a few more pounds added to it.

  jhon at 11:23 pm on April 26th, 2009

I used to have the same problem.While I took lithium and depakote my weight was 250 pounds. Since I switched to Tegretol (1 yr ago) I lost 70 pounds. I do exercise 3 times per week and I have a permanent diet high in protein, low in carbs. Also, takes about a month get used to Tegretol. Im happy I was patience coz today my mental health and my weight are under control.

  Joe Dolan at 12:02 am on April 29th, 2009

Thanks for your post Jhon. I’m thinking of getting off of tegretol as the side effect of this pill are awful.

My family doc said I could cut my dose down to twice a day at 50mg for a total of 100 mg in a day.

Even when I’m only taking 50 mg I start feeling very nauseous and have to sleep for hours.

I just started taking tegretol last Friday but I’m thinking of giving up on this pill because of the awful side effects!

  TruthWillSetYouFree at 3:51 pm on May 27th, 2009

I went on a cocktail of Lamictal, Prozac and Topomax in July 2001. I lost 45 pounds in 4 months. I kept it off for about 5 years. Twenty pounds crept back 2006-2007. I s-l-o-w-ly went off all meds in Dec 2008-Jan 2009. I have gained 32 pounds since January 2009.

I immediately began exercising 4-5 times a week. Nothing will budge the scale.

I’m thinking of going back on the meds, even though my episodes have vanquished.

  Janet Gilliver at 10:33 pm on June 19th, 2009

I have suffered from depression for a long time now, and was taking effexor at 150 mg with little or no weight gain. I have always been very thin. I weighed 115-120 at 5’5″ tall. In fact, I always struggled to keep weight on. 2 years ago I had a major depressive episode spurred by my husband requesting a divorce. I was then put on Epival 750mg/day, increased the effexor to 300mg/day, 1 mg of clonazepam at bedtime. Prior to these meds I had lost 10 lbs due to the depression. Well, for the 1st in my life I put on 30 lbs in a matter of months. i really didn’t even notice until one day I finally had to get dressed and nothing fit me. i went from 115 to 150 lbs. the weight gain caused further depression, so the epival was switched to seroquel at 150 mg, then Trazodone at 50 mg. I am now off everything other than the anti-depressants which were changed to Wellbutrin 300mg and Cymbalta 90 mg, clonazepam 1 mg at night. I have lost 20 of those pounds, but am struggling desperately with the last 15 or so. And this issue makes me feel horrible about myself. I never fought my weight, and I now know what people who battle weight go through every day. How can i lose the last of this weight. i don’t eat even 1200 calories per day. I have even stopped taking the meds to see if the weight would come off quickly, but it’s still there and I am miserable. I need to know I can lose this weight, either with the medication switch or with no meds at all. That is what i have resorted to now. Stopping dead the meds that I probably need to be on.
Please help me and offer suggestions or something to give me hope that I can get back to the person i used to be. I am 46 years old, have no children, and apparently am not menopausal.

  connie at 1:47 pm on June 23rd, 2009

Started taking meds in 1996 weight 125lbs. Weight reached height of 250lbs, so far with the help of Weight Watchers I now weigh 240 after 4 weeks.

Today I take Lithium, Geodon, Tegretol, Valium, Synthroid, Restoril, Trazadone. I took Depokote for awhile and did I eat gained 65lbs in a matter of 4 months.

My GP told me I would loose at the most 20lbs by Sept. What a jerk! I am determined to loose this weight. Going off my meds is not an option, not if I want to live.

This web page lets me know I am not alone in this weight struggle. It is so tempting to dump meds and weight will come off. I know that is not the answer. You all give me comfort in that I am not alone in this struggle. Thank you.

  Mark at 9:19 am on June 30th, 2009

I’ve been on a combination of Lithium, Risperdal, Wellbutrin and Cymbalta–would love to get off of one or two of these. I had started out with Zyprexa about 5 years ago, and my weight shot up very fast. I still haven’t lost that weight. I then added more weight when I went on Lithium a year later. Right now I’m 20 lbs heavier than when I started any bipolar medications (started at around 165 lbs, currently 185 lbs). At my heaviest I hit about 205 lbs, but have gotten down to 185 lbs with very strict dieting–vegan diet with high protein (lots of soy, etc.) and greens, not too many carbs (about 1700 calories a day total for the last 2 months, pretty strict for a male my size). I lost the last 10 lbs in the last 2 months with this calorie intake, but I seem to have plateaued.

I exercise when I can, but find that the Risperdal especially makes me feel a bit dull, as others have mentioned, thus making it hard to motivate myself to exercise. I’ve been experimenting with adjusting the Risperdal dose on my own (prescribed at 1mg) to address this low energy issue. It seems like the Risperdal slows my metabolism–when I drop the dose by .25mg or .5mg for a few days, I start to shed some weight. As a side note, one night a couple weeks ago I missed my Risperdal dose, and the next morning I woke up and ran 5k without stopping for the fist time in over a year–no coincidence in my opinion. So I know there’s a connection between the Risperdal and my energy/motivation/metabolism. Problem in stopping it or reducing my dose is that right now I can’t really sleep through the night without it.

I agree with many other posters here–it’s nice to feel “sane” and have my moods balanced, sleep well, etc., but I hate that it has to be at the expense of being too heavy–I never had any weight problems until I started bipolar meds. I know Lithium caused me to gain weight, but I’m reluctant to stop it because Lithium pretty much stopped my suicidal thoughts immediately when I started taking it (miraculous in my opinion), and I’ll take some extra weight over suicidal ideation any day. I’m hoping that with a more vigorous exercise program I might be able to shed the last 20 lbs. If I find any new approaches that work, I will post again. Good luck to everyone, I know it’s hard, but for the time being at least we can take some comfort in that fact that we’re not alone. Let’s keep sharing ideas and help each other get through this with our sanity AND a slim waistline!

  Mark at 1:20 pm on June 30th, 2009

Also wanted to add that on my 1700 calorie per day diet, I’m eating 5 or 6 medium size meals (roughly 300 calories each) rather than the typical 3 meal breakfast-lunch-dinner. I think more smaller meals helps keep your body out of starvation mode/fat-storing mode. Hope this helps!

  Jenifer at 12:40 pm on July 29th, 2009

Hi all,

I am bipolar and have been on anti-depressants for a long time. The very first one I ever took was Prozac, and I was on that for a number of years and with a pregnancy in between. During that time, I gained a lot of weight – at one point, I was 100 lbs heavier than I was when I started. I had always thought that it was the pregnancy that had caused the weight gain and that I just couldn’t get it off because of my own issues. After a while, I realized that the Prozac really wasn’t working and I switched to Wellbutrin. I immediately lost 40 – 50 lbs and I realized that the weight gain had been because of the Prozac. I am currently on Wellbutrin and Trileptol, and while it works great for the most part, there is still something missing. I tried a bunch of different SSRIs and eventually tried Prozac again. In combination with the meds that I was already on, it worked great – except that, in the first couple of months or so, I gained 10 lbs so I went off of it. Now, I am stuck. I want to go back on the Prozac because it worked so well, but I am not willing to gain more weight as I am still about 50 – 60 lbs overweight (I could never get off the second half of that 100 lb weight gain). What should I do? Any suggestions? Thanks!

  Carrie at 11:23 pm on August 13th, 2009

Exercise is the best for losing weight. Exercise where you are working hard and getting your heart rate elevated and sweating! Breaking down your calories into smaller more frequent meals works well also. A little 30 minute walk just does not burn calories. I have a daughter with bipolar who won’t listen to any suggestions. She is on lamictal and abiilify. We just started the lamictal and I am going to take her off the abilify. She is gaining too much weight and it in itself is becoming more of a problem.
i just wish there was a better answer for her. She is very active-plays soccer and is overall active. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks!

  Melanie at 6:05 pm on August 17th, 2009

Help me!please!!!! I have tried everything to lose weight but its impossible! Right now I am crying and I don’t know what to do. My doctor says the meds I have to take are permanent and I have gained more than 40 lbs in a matter of 4 months. My doctor won’t want to put me on different medications and excersize does not do anything for me. I have forced myself to keep on excersizing as hard as I can and I get tired so fast. I am trying to eat less and I don’t want to be known as a fat girl anymore. I am only 18 years old and I want a normal life. I should be living it up like all my friends are because I am just a teenager. What can I do to take the weight off and keep it off?! Are there any pills you can take to help you lose weight while on depression meds? Or at least to speed up my metabolism so I can go to the bathroom more often? Help me Please! I am tired of not feeling pretty when I look in the mirror. Lets be honest Fat is not pretty or sexy and I am tired of my own family members telling me I need to do something to lose weight. Please help me Please!my email is Justgrly21@gmail.com I will be willing to take all the help I can get Thank You

  Lauren at 7:33 pm on August 17th, 2009

I will admit that I have not read every post in this thread…but I just wanted to say that I am so frustrated with the weight gain from psych meds. I feel like I have to choose between being mentally healthy (and overweight) or physically healthy and depressed/suicidal.
Today I shared my concern about my weight gain with my psychiatrist. I said, “I’ve been gaining weight.” His response was quite curt….”so have I…We both just need to eat fewer calories.” Why doesn’t he get it? It isn’t that easy. I take Depakote, Seroquel, and Cymbalta. I’ve gained over 20 pounds in the last two months…it’s overwhelming…
but yet I am as emotionally stable as I’ve been in a year.
I’ve been through 28 different psych meds (in varying amounts and combinations), so I get that my choices are limited…but please treat me like a person …. treat me with dignity.

  Stephen at 6:35 pm on September 28th, 2009

I have the same weight issues as many of you have. Has anyone been on Meridia (sibutramine)? My doc put me on a trial low dose (5mg).

  Jennifer at 11:49 am on October 23rd, 2009

I was diagnosed Bi-Polar in May of this year. My doctor put me on Trileptal and Seroquel. I was 150 pounds and in just 4 months i went to over 180. I cant sleep without the Seroquel so i guess i am stuck at the 180. I cant diet that much as i am also a insulin dependent diabetic which causes so many lows and highs.

Any ideas on this would be great. I am at a loss as well.

jenfer09@yahoo.com

  Marilyn at 7:03 pm on December 3rd, 2009

I am Bipolar, and have been taking 1500 mgs of Depakote ER and 400 mg of Seroquel XR for the past couple of years. I’ve managed to pack on 50 lbs in that time and i wasn’t thin to begin with ( I went from 160 to 210 ). I walk every where, watch what I eat, and still can’t take anything off. I feel like a big blob. I overcame bulemia 20 years ago, and I worry that it will rear it’s ugly head again, or, maybe worse yet, I will stop being med compliant. I truly hate the meds that make me “normal.”

  Mike at 11:39 pm on March 12th, 2010

OK I have read every thread on here. I am on 400mg of Lithium daily for the past 2 years, since going from 220 lbs to 297. Have not been able to get below 275 even with workingout(Just got bigger and stronger…even w cardio…really weird)

I have a appyt w my Dr on weds and I am going to ask him to change my meds from the lithium to Tegretol. I have read that the side effects are brutal for a month, but I am willing to suffer if in the end I can not rock the scale pushing 300lbs. Please give me a response or reply ANYONE who has experience with Tegretol or Topamax, these seem to be the leading choices to get off this ballon ride.

  Healthy Weight at 3:30 pm on April 5th, 2010

Hi,

I’ve lost 40 pounds. From an XL to a medium! IT’s not medication, but emotional problems that lead to weight gain. I follow the G.I. diet and am not hungry. You lose weight significantly if you exercise on this diet too! A good motivational book is the “Beck Diet Solution”. this uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help you lose weight! The G.I. diet was recommended to me from my family physician and is best for people who are on medication. Just have to put up with discouragement and frustration while dieting. Dieting is not for the proud, however! Good luck! I know you can do it!

<3

  BeingDawn at 3:50 am on April 13th, 2010

I would just like to say that I have read all of the threads on here and although I would of course like to have a size 12 figure and weigh a lot less, the fact that I am \’well\’ and leading a normal life now is the choice I would choose even if it means having to carry a few extra stone. Also, I am not lying when I say I love my food, I love sitting in front of the telly with my husband in the evening drinking red wine and eating cheese and biscuits! I have joined a gym, but I haven,t been very often, I am very fortunate that I do have a very positive mental attitude to my body image and I am very happy with myself and life in general. Losing weight is not the \’be all and all\’ and if this means so much to all of you out there, you need to ask yourselves why? When I think back to how ill I was, when all I could do was talk about the tablets and it absolutely consumed every minute of way waking day, I am thrilled that I am now a curvy size 14-16 (UK size), my husband always pays me compliments and tells me I look fantastic for a woman of nearly 43, I do make the best of myself and I wouldn,t change places with the mentally ill skinny Dawn not for any money. I was sitting outside this morning listening to the birds singing in the trees, drinking coffee and looking forward to the day ahead, it is a beautiful sunny day, get off this computer and stop thinking about your illness and enjoy living.

  Terri at 3:56 am on May 11th, 2010

I wish to god something could be done, I used to do modelling for magazines, then i started bi polar meds as i reached a point of being suicidal.
I tried PROZAC,ZYPEXA,LITHIUM ETC. Before gaining weight i had spent years at the gym, staying active and healthy but could not tolerate the pain caused from the depression and anxiety.
I instantly gained weight, then it just kept going up and going up.
I stopped the meds and i still can not get this weight off,i feel even worse! its a f* nightmare!!! i never had cellulite and now i am covered in it! I have 0 self esteem! the doctors told me these meds would NOT cause weight gain! ha ha ha!!!.
I been on BUPROPRION for a little while, not as effective as other meds, weight the same. Can NOT stop binging :( .
LIFE IS TOUGH! i hope everyone keeps fighting!

  NANCY at 12:41 am on June 16th, 2010

Help! I have bipolar 2 and have been on so many different medications. Just in the past 4 months I gained 50 lbs. from Seriquil, then went on Zyprexa. Exercise doesn’t help much. I am also on Paxil. I now weigh 190 lbs., but my normal weight is 125 lbs. Welbutrin made me anxious – so did Giodon. Any good suggestions? It is terrible being fat!

  NANCY at 12:45 am on June 16th, 2010

Has anyone tried Tegretol by itself? Thanks!

  E at 5:39 pm on June 17th, 2010

The truth is that many of us have to give up our physical health to maintain our mental health. That. is. not. good. enough. In fact, it completely sucks and when it comes down to it, it is a problem that we bear alone. The most sympathetic doctor in the world isn’t going to recommend coming off this shit if it makes you fat because they have nothing better to offer. That being said, I do not want to be patronized by some well meaning patsy who suggests weight watchers or a food/exercise journal or tries to make me feel bad about complaining about weight gain because I’m stable, and have fired a couple over the years for those very reasons. The bottom line is, it’s your body that you’re putting this poison into, it should be your choice to counteract the side effects with whatever drug they have in the arsenal. If they don’t have a good enough one available, then they damn well better get on the case, because with the number of people on this stuff the whole western world is going to be swimming in lard before we know it (actually maybe it already is).

I say we crush up our pills and slip them into, let’s say, astra zeneca’s ceo’s breakfast and see how he likes “weight gain as a possible side effect” when it’s him who has to wear it. I bet we get a better side effect profile then!

  Tonya at 2:44 pm on June 28th, 2010

I was diagnosed as bipolar 18 years ago. I’ve been on many meds that eventually caused me to gain 85 lbs. I went off all my meds and lost it all (don’t recommend that at all)but eventually had to go back on them. This time I am on Paxil and Topomax which has only had me gain about 20 lbs which I’ve just learned to live with. The topomax also helps with my chronic migraines so it’s a good thing to be on for me. For those of you saying your children are gaining waits from the meds….check with your closest children’s hospital for docs that can help with better meds and also weight loss solutions. For my kids that has been a saving grace. They tend not to ignore the weight gain when you are in a place like that.

  Jessica W. at 4:25 pm on July 8th, 2010

Hey all,
My aunt and I both have bipolar…I have been fighting the weight gain battle for 5 years! I am on Lithium and Seroquel…I have to talk myself out of fatty food daily. Anyway, my aunt is not fighting this battle. She takes a combo of Lamictal and Lexapro and has been stable without ballooning…
Jess

  Kristen at 2:16 pm on July 9th, 2010

I was recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder and I am taking zyprexa and lithium.

I am already starting to gain weight even though I am not eating any more than I did before and I am actually excercising a LOT MORE than I used to.

The only solution I think any of us has is praying to Jesus because he can cure us of bipolar disorder, or he can lead us to the right doctor or website or book that will help us understand what it is WE personally need to do that will help us.

Jesus always helps me with my problems so I know he will help me with the weight gain. We’ll see how that works out.

-Kristen

  Carmen Allen at 12:17 pm on July 17th, 2010

Help! I am on Geodon and cymbalta and also take metformin but still have issues with weight gain. I joined a gym in 2007 and lost 20 lbs with the help of a personal trainer then stopped losing. I later lost my job and couldn’t afford the gym and gained 60 lbs in a matter of 6 months. I started working again and went back to the gym and lost 15 lbs but have stopped losing again. I am morbidly obese and have been going to the gym but it’s like I’m at the same place again and I am 46 years old and fear that I won’t be able to lose more weight.
Carmen

  Amanda at 6:57 pm on August 7th, 2010

I gained 20 lbs in 1 month after starting my meds. It took me awhile to realize what it was, b/c I had even started eating healthier. I talked to my psychiatrist and he blew it off saying I needed to exercise more and watch what I ate. It didnt help1 So I stopped taking my meds and lost the weight. Now I am wondering if I should get back on them and deal with the weight gain or just stay off.

  Kristine at 9:04 am on February 15th, 2011

I’ve been on zyprexa and abilify and the combination made me gain 25lbs, which i didn’t lose after going off. Now I’m on abilify and gained another 25 and I just stopped. I am 46 and have been on every bipolar medication there is it seems like. I am on 400mg of topamax and have been for a while and it seems like my body has gotten use to the dosage because it has done nothing for the weight. My doctor refuses to recognize the weight gain, I am now looking for a new doctor. I can’t live like this, I now have trouble walking my dog. I have gone from a size 6 to a size 16 in about 1 year and I think I would rather live with the ups and downs of the disease than the daily depression of being fat.

KP

  dt at 8:34 pm on March 14th, 2011

I have been diagnosed with mixed bipolar I and anxiety and have been taking medication for about 6 years. I have been on over 30 different kinds of medications, the most recent being lithium, gabapentin and hydroxyzine. Unfortunately, I have gained 45 lbs, from 110-155lbs being 5’8″ in 3 months. I run 40 miles a week, lift weights, go to the gym 3-4 times a week, cycle and do yoga. I burn more calories than i eat in a day, and i can’t lose weight. it seems the more exercise i do and the less i eat, the more weight i gain. my abdomen is swollen often and i don’t fit into any of my clothes. I have switched from lithium to tegretal before, it didn’t help, and i felt worse than i did when i wasn’t on any medication. everyone’s brain chemistry is different, so i may work for others. My next step is to get a blood test for my thyroid, a metabolic panel and perhaps see an endocrinologist.

  johnhopps at 10:10 pm on April 18th, 2011

DT. Keep me posted please. I stopped sertraline after gaining 27 lbs. I’ve been off 4 months and have lost 7. Still have 20 to go. I was thinking about the whole thyroid issue also but I have lost something. A year ago after stopping Luvox due to a 20 lb gain I lost 15 in 3 months. So I know the medicine there was definetaly the reason.I’m the same as you when it comes to diet and exercise. Good luck

  Serena at 10:25 pm on April 20th, 2011

I have had issues with gaining weight while taking Seroquel and Ability in the past but I had no idea I was in for the same thing with Risperdal. I didn’t get the opportunity to read much about it when I started it in the hospital and my appetite didn’t pick up until after the first week. However, now its been only 2.5 weeks and I’ve gained at least 7lbs. I’m glad I found this article sooner than later because I will try to make some diet and exercise changes before it gets to the point that I have to stop taking this life saving med.

  Jacie at 7:38 pm on June 8th, 2011

Thank God Im not alone~
Ive been bi-polar my whole life it seems.,… but always primarily medicated for ADD and depression and never experienced such a jump in weight as I have recently. I was diagnosed with bi-polar and subsuquently put on abilify, lamictal, topamax, valium, adderall and inderal and have gained 35lbs in less than 3 months…. haven’t been able to lose it no matter what I do in 9 months. I really don’t know which is better. To be fat and sane or be thin and not….. to be quite serious I am at the point of crazy …. someone may need to talk some sense into me….

  Cindy at 2:06 am on July 4th, 2011

I feel like my body is going to explode I have gained so much weight. I have gained 40 pounds in alittle less than 4 months. In Feb. My antidepressant was change from Lexapro to celexa and my seraquel has been changed from 100mgs a day to 400mgs a day. My mind is clear, I sleep well, and feel pretty good. I am so bloated all the time. I have really bad back problems so this additional weight keeps me from even being able to walk any distance that would do me any good. I also have crohns and that presents a whole range of additional gastro problems. I don’t want to mess with my meds because we have finally found the right combo and I feel human again. Is there anything additional med. that would help me without throwing me out of balance? I really need help with this…I keep gaining weight.

  r saville at 5:51 pm on July 24th, 2011

this is a great article and would have been helpful for me 7years ago upon taking psychotropics. i hope others read this and take with them UPON starting meds. i first saw psychiatrist for undiagnosed depression which turned out to actually be major depression landing me in hospital and wicked ride on the pharmacoaster over the years. i gained 75lbs in less than 1.5yrs. and when i questioned the drugs (my weight had historically hovered around the same my adulthood)causing the weight it was suggested because my lifestyle changed from the depression and to remember all drugs have pros and cons. that i did it to myself from inactivity due to depression. when you are severely depressed and somehow reach out to a medical professional you believe what they tell you. the weight begets the depression begets the weight, etc…in the end i did not find relief from medication but many more health problems instead. i am currently weaning off the last drug. TMS and CBT have been my saviors.

  Morton at 2:22 pm on August 1st, 2011

I have been on antidepressants and other meds for bipolar II since 1997. I started out at 6’0 and 120 lbs, and now I am 6’1 and 250 lbs.

All the doctors I talk to tell me it is my metabolism changing, or me being older and eating differently, or my depression making me fat, but it’s not. After I started taking meds and getting fat I became vegetarian and stopped eating junk food, and I walk a lot. I never ate sweets as I don’t like them. My last doctor even told me that the meds I was on didn’t cause weight gain, but actually even the companies that make them list weight gain as a side effect. And it can’t be the depression etc. because I lived 23 years very thin with severe depression and only got fat when I started meds. And I don’t eat more. I don’t actually like food much or enjoy eating.

Not only am I fat, but also my blood pressure and cholesterol, which were better than good until the last year or so, are now almost dangerous, and my thyroid is enlarged although my thyroid levels are normal.

I have really bad side effects with almost every medication, and have had to stop taking a lot of them due to that, but the antidepressants also weren’t working any more, so not only am I fat, I am also extremely depressed, which is exacerbated by the fact that I had body dysmorphic disorder and want to die every time I look in a mirror. I stopped taking Effexor recently due to bad side effects and loss of efficacy and noticed no mood change, but the weight also doesn’t seem to be going away although the only thing I take now is lamictal.

I have gained weight on everything except Geodon, on which I lost 60 lbs without changing anything re. diet or exercise, but it gave me such horrifying akathesia that I had to stop taking it; I was chewing through my cheek and tongue every day.

I don’t know what to do. I hate my fat, ugly body, I’m seriously depressed, and I’ve taken almost every medication out there, including every SSRI and SNRI. Maybe if I exercised like a crazy person every day it would help, but I’m so depressed it’s all I can do to walk and go to work, and I can’t afford a gym membership and have no-one to exercise with.

  chemist75 at 9:26 am on September 1st, 2011

I have been living with bipolar for about 5 years now. I was heavy to start with, but after being on Zyprexa I gained 50 pounds in about a year. Now off Zyprexia and on a small dose of lithium and Lamicatal, I have lost 23 of those pounds, and still going.That being said, as a member of the scientific community, I think it is important to not give up hope, when it comes to weight gain, and mode stability. New research into Bipolar disorder is occurring as we speak. We understand more then we did about this disorder, 20, 10, and even 5 years ago. New drugs and therapies come out all the time. What may seem insurmountable right now may not be an issue 5 years from now.From someone who has been from the brink of taking his own life from depression, to manic psychosis that landed him in the ICU, we can and will persevere!

  Martha jc at 2:13 pm on October 8th, 2011

I didn’t realize how bad the weight gain could be until my doctor was running late one day. I had to wait about 2 hrs. Everyone that came in was extremely overweight just like me. I used to not even break 100. That day I weighed in 285. It was Nov of 2009 and That began my quest for why and what could I do. Today I am weighing 160 lbs which I have work really hard for. I just refuse to use a medicine that causes weight gain. There are too many other medicines out there.

  Martha jc at 2:22 pm on October 8th, 2011

I went back and read a lot of your comments. When weight gain causes depression talk with your doctor. There are no simple answers, but there are medicines out there that don’t cause weight gain. Insist on a change. You deserve to be happy without being fat.

  LDL at 4:54 pm on October 14th, 2011

I totally agree that all too often, MD’s and Psychiatrists, treat many of the common side affects associated with these type of meds as being not a big deal, and an acceptable trade off for being mentally stable. And in most cases they never even bothered to warn me that these types of side affects were even possible, it’s frustrating, and it’s gotten to the point where I simply don’t trust them anymore. I stopped taking my Anti depressants 3 months ago, and it’s been a real struggle. I don’t like feeling the way I feel off these meds, but I also don’t care to go through life as an overweight, emotionless zombie with no sex drive. Seriously, how is that any better?.

  john hopps at 5:23 pm on October 15th, 2011

to sum it up. ive been on lexapro,luvox,zoloft and prozac for ocd/anxiety. I have gone from 229 with a 4pack to a fat 254. I have stopped and started a few times because of the weight gain. I have been off meds for 8 weeks and have gained 10 pounds since stopping. I have been through this before and now I am not gaining anymore. the weight will start to come off soon. it sucks that luvox worked so great besides the weight gain. im gonna see after I lose the weight maybe try,luvox at 50mg and hope for the best. my eating habits and excercise have only gotten better so its not for that reason. all my hard work to get fit was done away with by a pill. I never thought that was possible

  Lisa at 5:49 pm on November 23rd, 2011

SUBJECT: IS ZYPREXA WEIGHT GAIN PERMANENT?

Hi- I gained 30 lbs in three months while taking Zyprexa and 9 mos later I can’t lose the weight – even though I am medication free and I diet and exercise. Before taking Zyprexa I easily lost weight.
Also – most of the weight seems to be in my abdomen making me look pregnant.
So – has my metabolism been permanently changed by this drug? (I’ve asked several doctors and all they will say is that it’s ‘possible’ that this change is permanent but they can’t say for certain.
I am really angry with the psychiatrist who prescribed this drug and didn’t tell me about the weight gain.

Thanks for any info on this.
Lisa

  Jen at 2:27 am on November 28th, 2011

Hi, my name is Jen. I am 39 years old. I was diagnosed bipolar 1 with severe depression, anxiety disorder and panic attacks about 5 years ago. When I was 28, I was diagnosed with cancer. This was my first bout with weight gain due to medications. I weighed 127 lbs and stood at 5’3″ and went to an astounding 190lbs. After surgeries and meds I EASILY lost a lot, down to 135 at 30 years old. I could handle that. But once diagnosed all of these mental conditions, I was once again at the mercy of medication. I have tried all kinds of medications that I had bad reactions to, or they simply didn’t work. I was on abilify for two years. Great med, but i went back up in weight to 180. My cholesterol was not readable it was so high, over 400. I was tapered off the abilify. I joined a gym and started to diet. Lost 15lbs. But, got very sick and needed a mood stabilizer. I started taking seroquil, only 50mg..that is super low. I also take Zoloft 200mg, 75mg klonopin, and when needed Xanax. In a matter of four weeks I gained 15lbs right back. I have severe constantipation, belly distention. I purchased a glucose meter and will be testing that tomorrow. I take the Seroquil at night. It puts me to sleep very quickly, but I wake up starving and have been having major heart burn. Zantac 300mg. I can say the seroquil is amazing with my mood. I feel mentally perfect until I stand up and feel how fat I am. That makes me depressed. Going to see if we can try topamax or metformin. I will let ya know!!!! I think mental and physical health go hand in hand. This post has been up since 2008!!!!! And NOTHING has come about.

  Jen at 9:03 pm on November 28th, 2011

Went to phychiotrist today. She will not prescribe metformine, but wrote a letter to my primary requesting it be prescribed because I have metabolic syndrome. My primary called and said, well let’s get some blood work done and see the outcome. Good idea, although I was told they won’t prescribe it either!!!!! Their answer: DIET AND A NUTRITIONIST!!!! already been that route, for 5 years. This is crazy.

  Christine at 4:42 pm on January 9th, 2012

I have been diagnosed with bipolar and have been on lots of meds. I have gained 30lbs on Seroquil but this is the only med that helps me sleep. I need to loose this weight in 6 months for my wedding. The dressed has already been purchased before I gained this weight.

  Athena at 5:27 pm on January 12th, 2012

I thank God every day that we even have medications that can help us with our depression. Think back 100 years. People were just sent to institutions to rot and suffer incessantly. My life would be a living minute-by-minute hell if it weren’t for meds.

That being said, we still need more options and I know that right now scientists are working on it (the anticipation is killing me :) ). I’ve gained weight on these meds like everyone else here. I’m going to ask my doctor to switch me from Zyprexa to Geodon or Tegretol. Or something else. I’m hopeful– he’s a good doctor–but hurry up scientists! We need more options! :)

  Sarah at 9:09 pm on January 13th, 2012

I’ve gained 15 lbs on Olazapine but I’m on Topamax too. I work out constantly. My weight gain I thought was just from the holidays, but I’m always hungry since I’ve been on it. I was 120 now I weigh 135.

  Crystal at 11:53 am on January 20th, 2012

I was diagnosed bipolar two years ago. Doc put me on depakote and lexlapro. Within weeks i had gained 15 pounds. I took myself of all of the meds and lost all of the weight was back down to 125 @ 5’5. Of course i started to spiral down hill, eventually landing myself back in the hospital where they put me on lexpro and lithium soon after ariving home i gained 25 pounds went off meds again and ended back in the hospital with a suicide attempt. This time they put me on geodon and pristiq and i lost all the weight again until dosages were increased to 80 mg geodon and 100 pristiq i then gained about 15 pounds and stayed steady at this weight for about six months. I started having manic episodes and started to see a new doctor. My new doc weaned me off of pristiq and geodon he said this was not a good combination for bipolar disorer so he put me on zoloft 50mg for ocd and seroqel 300mg and tegretol 2x a day for a total of 800mg. I have gained so much weight in the last 4 months i now weigh173 and i feel so deprssed from the weight gain. I am so tired i can barely get up during the day. Idk what to do?

  Rachel at 11:31 am on January 30th, 2012

After a suicide attempt almost 2 years ago they threw me in a mental hospital at the age of 16. They diagonised me with severe depression, and put me on lithium, cymbalta, and trazadone. Since then I’ve gained 40 pounds, and it’s not even like I’m inactive. I still have the same muscle I’ve always had, so I can usually hold my own on the gymnastics team. But I keep losing skills all because of the weight I’ve gained. My parents are trying to bribe me to lose weight – not even they understand that it’s not my fault. At least my psych gets it, and is in the process of switching me to lamictal. I just wish it could be faster, it’s my senior year, I should not have to deal with this, I already have enough on my plate.

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“Preventing and Reversing Weight Gain Associated with Psychiatric Medications”

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    Last reviewed: 22 Oct 2008

APA Reference
Fink, C. (2008). Preventing and Reversing Weight Gain Associated with Psychiatric Medications. Psych Central. Retrieved on February 10, 2012, from http://blogs.psychcentral.com/bipolar/2008/10/preventing-and-reversing-weight-gain-associated-with-psychiatric-medications/

 

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