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sunnyday said:
I've been on Abilify since it first came on the market for my MDD it has really helped but I packed on 40 pounds! I quit it May 1st cold turkey, the withdrawal was horrible......migranes, agitation, dizziness, nausea.....I'm off it now for 11 days, I hope to loose those forty pounds. I already am not eating as much. Has anyone else gain lots of weight on Abilify(my doc said I wouldn't gain weight on it!) Other question...has anyone had a severe withdrawal from it?

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Hello Sunny!

Abilify and other anti-psychotic meds like Seroquel and Zyprexa are infamous for causing weight gain. I believe they've determined that the weight gain is caused by changes to your metabolism - or "metabolic syndrome" as it's now called. Some people will gain weight - reach a plateau and stay there, some will gain then lose and some don't gain at all. But the weight gain is reversible by stopping the medication. However, it's not the best to stop a med "cold turkey" - you'll end up with a lot of withdrawal symptoms (which you've already had). It's best to taper off the med slowly - after discussing it with your doctor first.

Interesting that you gained so much weight - because I'd read that Abilify is one of the more stimulating anti-psychotics along with Geodon. However, we all react differently to these meds.

I was on Seroquel for sleep for about 3 years and gained about 100lbs. I've since tapered off of it and am beginning to lose the weight.

Hope this helps!

Jerry