Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum.  ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Mental Health  (Expert Forum)
 | 
Weight gain due to medications.
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.

Weight gain due to medications.

by misspiggy, Mar 31, 2003 12:00AM
To Whom it May Concern:

   I am 47 years old and have had bi-polar diorder for 28 years, since I was 19. At nineteen my weight was about 140. My weight today is 307 pounds. I have been told that this is because of all the meds I have taken over the years. Seven years ago I was 250 pounds and had a lot less health problems. What I want to know is which of the meds I take now are causing me to gain weight. I take neurontin, 400mg, twice a day, zyprexa, 10 mg., one tablet at night, ambien 1 tablet, 10 mg. at night. Also I take klonopin on a prn basis, lately one tablet, .05mg at night. I also take glucotrol for diabetes, 10 mg. in the morning and lisinopril, 10 mg. one in the morning and one at night. The lisinopril is for blood pressure.

  What medications are the best for bipolar disorder that don't make a person gain weight, specifically the bipolar meds?

  Thanking you in advance.

by Roger Gould, M.D., Apr 03, 2003 12:00AM
the zyprexa tends to increase appetite, so it may be a problem.  Ask your doctor about Tegretol..it is one of the few drugs for bipolar that does not cause weight gain.
Member Comments (7)

by starr33, Mar 31, 2003 12:00AM
Have you ever tried Topamax?  It is used to treat seizure disorder and migraines.  My doctor had me on it for BiPolar and I didnt gain any weight.

by stirling, Mar 31, 2003 12:00AM
The zyprexa will make you gain weight, it tells in the bio for the medication.

by lucylucy, Apr 03, 2003 12:00AM
Hi there

anti psychotic drugs are notorious for piling on the pounds... some time ago I was on seroquel (which apparently is one of the least active in putting on weight) and i was the size of a HOUSE!!!!  coming off this drug has really helped me lose weight.  Is zyprexa an anti psychotic? if so, that might be the culprit..

good luck

Peggy

by crazydays, Apr 11, 2003 12:00AM
Zyprexa is notorious for weight gain.  Talk to your Dr abouttopamax as a mood stabilizer - I have seen a lot of people really lose weight on this drug

by mrs.helpme, Apr 13, 2003 12:00AM
To: miss piggy
I HAVE BEEN ON A LOT OF MED FROM A-Z SO I CAN SEE WHERE YOU ARE COMMING AGE 16-? ( NOW 22) CURRENTLY IM ON SEREQEL 500MG 3XA DAY 5 AT BEDTIME TOPAMAX 300MG 3XA DAY 5 AT BEDTIME LAMACITAL 4X A DAY AND CLONAZAPAM 4X A DAY. AT TIMES I HAVE TO INCREASE MY DOSAGE (DR. RECOMENDED) AT FIRST MY WEIGHT WAS UNDER CONTROL BUT IN MID 2002 IT WENT OUT OF CONTROL I WAS 400+ 5FT 11IN ,I FELT HORRIBLE DISCUSSTED UGLY FAT LOW SELF-ESSTEM I JUST WANTED TO STAY IN THE HOUSE AND EAT (THE MEDS ADDED TO THAT) AND CRY. I SUFFER FROM BI-POLER-DISORDER,MANIC-DEPRESSION,PERSONALITY-DISORDER SCITSOFRINEA, PANIC-ATTACKS, SERVER MOOD SWINGS, OBSESIVE-COMPULSIVE-DISORDER, ANXITY-ATTACKS. I SUFFER FROM MUCH MORE MENTALLY(THIS ALL HAPPEND AFTER I HAD A LIFE THREATNING SURGERY FOR SERVER SCOLIOSIS OF THE SPINE) I WAS FINE AND LEADING A NORMAL LIFE BEFORE THAT. BUT NOW I HAVE LOST OVER 120PD I FEEL GOOD (EXCEPT FOR MY DIEBITIES CARPATUNEL) SO I HAVE BE AND STILL ARE GOING THRU THE THINGS YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT. JUST TO LET YOU KNOW YOU ARE NOT ALONE

                            ms.helpme

by tuffy's mom, Jul 12, 2003 12:00AM
hello everyone, this is my question: i'm bi-polar, 40 yrs. old taking effexor xr 300 mg. per day , wellbutrin 150 mg. per day  and risperdal 2 mg. at night and was just recently put on cytomel for good measure to augment the antidepressants.I also was taking 3600 mg. of neurontin for 2 herniated discs in my back with the added benefit of the mood stabilization effect but  became a fat slob on it.I was on it for 3 years and as we speak am tapering off of it due to  weight gain. I cant begin to tell you how much more depression it added to my life(the extra weight).
Expert Activity
Salmonella typhimurium outbreak sic...
5 hrs ago by Enoch Choi, MD
Can Sleep Apnea Cause Alzheimer's?...
Jan 05 by Steven Y Park, MD
Optimal Health in 2009- Happy New Y... 
Dec 31 by Lee Kirksey, MD