Have you gained weight on Bipolar Meds

I was on qutiepine put on 9 stone 9lbs lost 6st so far switched from qutiepine (500mg at one point) 250mg to Aripiprazole 10mg. I did experience depression once switched for around 12 months some leg irritations, dry mouth, dizziness but all have gone now feel ok.

Gained 70 lbs on Lithium. Then it ruined my kidneys at 15=yrs of taking it. Now take Abilify and have gained 20 more. Abilify is known to really lower metabolism. So yes, I gained a substantial amt of weight.

Hello. I gained 12 pounds over a 6-month period while on an antidepressant (Mirtazapine) for bipolar depression. The medication worked extremely well for the depression but I had to stop taking Mirtazapine due to the weight gain. I am now on Wellbutrin which is an antidepressant that is supposed to help with weight loss. However, at the same time, I was also put on Abilify and have had an increase in appetite which caused me to gain a couple of pounds. Through disciplined eating and exercise, I have been able to lose 5 pounds by exercising at least four times per week and trying to watch what I eat. I asked my psychiatrist for the lowest dosage of Abilify. I currently take a half of a 2mg tablet of Abilify.

What are you doing to loose the weight? I exercise 6 days a week mostly walking and a dance with my partner.

Well done you taking action to manage your weight it is difficult for me too I exercise 6 days a week mostly walking and have a dance with my partner and lift some weights over heads at the mo live your best life.

I took zyprexa for a year and gained 60 pounds. Now off of zyprexa

I was taking 10mg of Olanzapin and gained about 20-25 pounds. Now I just started taking Rexulti samples. Insurance either won’t pay for it or the copay is too expensive. I’ve lost almost 20 pounds and people tell me I’m too skinny but I haven’t felt this comfortable in a couple of years. Does Rexulti make you gain weight?

This could be taken wrong, so please hear me out. I am 77 years old and have lived with Bipolar 2 all my life. I was briefly on Lithium and on Zoloft and Risperdal (generic) for most of my life. they enabled me to live a relatively normal life, married to second husband over 40 years, raise 5 kids, work as an LPN. However, I weighed 250 pounds. This was not good, of course, but was it a side effect worth putting up with? of course! If you can find a way to stay on your psych meds and be a more normal weight, do it! but if you have to choose, choose pych health!

Yes qutiepine I put on weight and lost weight on Aripiprazole UK. Hope that helps I did have to ask for Aripiprazole the doctors never suggested it. I take 10mg each day. Do your research as not the only psych med that out their that dose not affect your weight then ask doc which one you can have. That's what I did.

Jumping in on this conversation, which indeed is a good one!

Whenever we take medications, for whatever conditions, we need to weigh the side effects with the benefits, just as @gmajane2 mentioned. What I found also, is watching the combination of different meds, for multiple conditions. This is where a knowledgeable and trusted pharmacist can help you figure it all out! Don't hesitate to reach out to get it all figured out. What is the best time of day,which meds to take at the same time, etc.

A wealth of knowledge for your own unique health journey will benefit you so much!
Ginger