In light of ~Christina's post in the forum assessment thread, I would like to create a thread that serves as a centralized place for BP health where you can ask about healthy eating, weight gain, sleep hygiene, and so on.

Since I can't edit this post after 3 hours (lol), see the post below for information about which meds cause weight gain/loss and which meds are weight neutral. Also, please DO post your healthy eating, weight loss, sleep hygiene, etc. tips! Or ask questions too. Or post status updates

I will try to edit that post as I get more replies. Also, feel free to tell me if something is incorrect or misleading!

Sincerely,
Blue and BP forum family

All medications are marked as [weight gain], [weight neutral], or [weight loss]. However, this doesn’t mean that you will gain weight on a weight gain med, lose weight on a weight loss med, etc.. Some meds also can cause either weight gain or weight loss, and are marked as such.

If you are concerned about weight gain, you may want to ask your doctor about Metformin, which may help you lose weight or maintain your weight while on a weight-gaining drug. Metformin is typically used for the treatment of type-2 diabetes and PCOS to stave off the weight gain, but can also be safely used for people with bipolar disorder. However, PLEASE consult your doctor on this. (It's only available by prescription anyway.)

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Search by US brand name or by generic name

Mood Stabilizer Drug Classes
1. Antipsychotics
2. Atypical Antipsychotics
3. Anticonvulsants

A complete list of antipsychotics and atypical antipsychotics can be found here: [link]

1. Antipsychotics
[weight gain] [weight loss] [weight neutral] Eskalith-CR (lithium)
[weight gain] Fanapt (iloperidone)
[weight gain] Haldol (haloperidol)
[weight gain] Loxitane (loxapine)
[weight neutral] [weight loss] Moban (molindone)
[weight gain] Navane (thiothixene)
[weight gain] [weight loss] Orap (pimozide)
[weight gain] Permitil (fluphenazine)
[weight gain] Thorazine (phenothiazine)

2. Atypical antipsychotics [Read more here]
[weight gain] Abilify (aripiprazole)
[weight gain] Clozaril (clozapine)
[weight neutral] Geodon (ziprasidone)
[weight gain] Invega (paliperidone)
[weight neutral] Latuda (lurasidone)
[weight gain] Rexulti (rexpiprazole)
[weight gain] Risperdal (risperidone)
[weight neutral] Saphris (asenapine) -- average weight gain is 3 lbs [source]
[weight gain] Seroquel (quetiapine)
[weight gain] Vraylar (cariprazine)‎
[weight gain] Zyprexa (olanzapine)

3. Anticonvulsants [Read more here]
[weight gain] Depakote (valporic acid)
[weight loss] Gabitril (tiagabine)
[weight gain] Keppra (levetiracetam)
[weight neutral] Lamictal (lamotrigine)
[weight neutral] Neurontin (gabapentin)
[weight neutral] Tegretol (carbamazepine) -- may increase sugar cravings, however
[weight loss] Topamax (topiramate)
[weight gain] Trileptal (oxcarbazepine)
[weight loss] Zonegran (zonisamide)

You may also find this link useful: Re: antipsychotics without weight gain? | Psycho-Babble

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Medications for mania, depression, mixed, and maintenance:

http://i.imgur.com/f1uTgIk.jpg

[pirilin]

Lithium is a great antidepressant. FDA sucks big time. As usual.

[Freeman15139]

I just made this aint really aware how to use I know I have some stuff definitely know I have un diagnosed add an add can't sit still or pay attention have no insurance they say I Make too much but can't afford doctor fees I thought I had bi polar but I can't be on the same feeling fir a day most of what I read people be normal for a week or two at a time I get in my feelings an break people vote gotta be terrible to be with me no one has ever been able to deal with it I been off an on with my girl for years she 'll get a tone a voice I 'll get my own app an move then we'll get back together after she trys me I'm so impulsive messy bad with bills memory I can't but help think some thing is wrong with my mind I mentally destroy people an I don't know what is wrong with me I'm 27 not diagnosed with anything I been knowing I was different my whole life an suffered a lot of legal trouble schools tried to diagnose me an make me see a doctor my grama wouldn't have it im afraid if I can't change I will always be alone im tired of giving the mother of my son the worst times of her life when she is trying so hard I get in feeling where I think I hate her but I could never what is wrong with me

[pirilin]

Originally Posted by Freeman15139

I just made this aint really aware how to use I know I have some stuff definitely know I have un diagnosed add an add can't sit still or pay attention have no insurance they say I Make too much but can't afford doctor fees I thought I had bi polar but I can't be on the same feeling fir a day most of what I read people be normal for a week or two at a time I get in my feelings an break people vote gotta be terrible to be with me no one has ever been able to deal with it I been off an on with my girl for years she 'll get a tone a voice I 'll get my own app an move then we'll get back together after she trys me I'm so impulsive messy bad with bills memory I can't but help think some thing is wrong with my mind I mentally destroy people an I don't know what is wrong with me I'm 27 not diagnosed with anything I been knowing I was different my whole life an suffered a lot of legal trouble schools tried to diagnose me an make me see a doctor my grama wouldn't have it im afraid if I can't change I will always be alone im tired of giving the mother of my son the worst times of her life when she is trying so hard I get in feeling where I think I hate her but I could never what is wrong with me

Freeman15139:

Welcome to PC bipolar sub-forum.

We hope the time you spend with us to be of benefit to you in your quest to improve your situation.

We are not doctors, or provide medical advise. We provide support and a lotta love to anyone afflicted with a mental illness.
In my personal estimation, you must visit a professional that can pinpoint what out of the ordinary is ailing you. Then, and only then, you will be able to find the route to recovery.
When there is a will, there is a way. Go for it.

[lolitalempika8]

Originally Posted by pirilin

Lithium is a great antidepressant. FDA sucks big time. As usual.

Lithium is a great "preventor" of depression. Once the person is in depression, lithium is of little use and it's effect is slow.