Weight gain due to medications.

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.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

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.

[starr33]

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.

[stirling]

The zyprexa will make you gain weight, it tells in the bio for the medication.

[lucylucy]

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

[crazydays]

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

[mrs.helpme]

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

[tuffy's mom]

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).