[AspiringAuthor]

Is it true that Zydis may be safer from that standpoint?

I am taking it with Metformin this time, but am confused as to what exactly it helps prevent. At the hospital they told me that Metformin prevents weight gain, but my internist said that it would only prevent diabetes (I mean, that is important enough, but I also would like to halt weight gain).

I could not tolerate Topamax.

What other options are there?

[Victoria'smom]

I'm on Zyprexa too. Can you lower your dose? There is other options. Abilify, Lamictal, Depakote, seroquil and other meds. It depends on what you need.

I thought Wellbutrin/contrave was approved for weight loss, but I've also heard it's an antidepressant, so I don't know how well that'd work for someone with BP.

But I agree with Miguel'smom -- if there are other options you haven't tried, that may be worth the gamble.

Other than that, I'd say diet and exercise. I've never tried zyprexa, though, so I don't know how well those two things would work, but a nutritionist could definitely help with that.

Good luck!

Metformin treats diabetes/high blood sugar. I was switched to metformin and taken off avandia years ago with the thought that metformin might cause weight loss while treating diabetes.

I kicked the diabetes with weight loss on low carb, so I’m not on anything right now, but this is a good reminder for me. I’ve gained weight on lithium and my blood sugar went up—maybe I’ll try metformin again.

[Unrigged64072835]

I was given Metformin when I had type 2 diabetes. It helped me lose weight in the short-term, but I still had to change my eating to keep it off. I'm now back in prediabetic territory so I'm doing better. I like it better because it's pills instead of a shot.

[Northchild]

Zyprexa is really, really, really bad when it comes to weight gain. I gained about 100 pounds while I was on it. Finally switched to Geodon.

[BipolaRNurse]

I've been on Zyprexa for four years now, and even so I managed to lose 100 lbs over the course of a year. I lost my husband and my appetite in 2016, and I still can't eat as much as I used to. The weight loss has stopped, but I don't think Zyprexa has anything to do with it. It's funny, the first time I went on Vitamin Z back in 2012 I gained 25 lbs in only two months, but when I went on it full-time in 2014 I didn't gain anything. I guess it just depends on how one's metabolism works.

[Northchild]

Originally Posted by BipolaRNurse

I've been on Zyprexa for four years now, and even so I managed to lose 100 lbs over the course of a year. I lost my husband and my appetite in 2016, and I still can't eat as much as I used to. The weight loss has stopped, but I don't think Zyprexa has anything to do with it. It's funny, the first time I went on Vitamin Z back in 2012 I gained 25 lbs in only two months, but when I went on it full-time in 2014 I didn't gain anything. I guess it just depends on how one's metabolism works.

True, but it's not even odds. See links:

Lilly Adds Strong Warning Label to Zyprexa, a Schizophrenia Drug - The New York Times

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3896133/

Lilly Settles With 18,000 Over Zyprexa - NYTimes.com

https://www.bap.org.uk/articles/anti...d-weight-gain/

[AspiringAuthor]

Originally Posted by Miguel'smom

I'm on Zyprexa too. Can you lower your dose? There is other options. Abilify, Lamictal, Depakote, seroquil and other meds. It depends on what you need.

7.5 mg

I have tried all the other meds - it is between Clozapine and Zyprexa now, and failing that, ECT.

[AspiringAuthor]

I am afraid of mania on Wellbutrin - hence, have not tried it.

[Victoria'smom]

maybe you can try the 5 mg one? unless you still have symptoms on 7.5. Can your insurance pay for a dietitian? Have you looked into financial assistance at the YMCA for exercise? I gained a ton on zyprexa but it's my only choice too. I'm going to start swimming this summer.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

I've been on Metformin with clozapine to help control the weight gain. It stopped when I started the metformin about 6 months into the clozapine and before my gall bladder went nuts and I was too sick to be on a diet I had lost every pound gained on clozapine and 10 more from the meds before it. I'm not diabetic although with my family history and the meds am high risk.

[Guiness187055]

I loved zyprexa it is my favorite AP. I had to stop taking it though. I did not put on any weight but I am all ready diabetic. My fasting blood sugar numbers were to high. So I switched from zyprexa to abilify.

[Merlin]

I gained a lot of weight on Zyprexa and had to quit taking it too.

[AspiringAuthor]

Originally Posted by Miguel'smom

maybe you can try the 5 mg one? unless you still have symptoms on 7.5. Can your insurance pay for a dietitian? Have you looked into financial assistance at the YMCA for exercise? I gained a ton on zyprexa but it's my only choice too. I'm going to start swimming this summer.

The insurance won't pay for a dietitian. I too am starting to swim though! And also walk in water, against the resistance of water - it is a good exercise that is easy on the joints.

[AspiringAuthor]

Clozapine was making me depressed, so we went down to 25 mg and I feel just fine - although tired, but it is a good thing towards the end of the day.

My bedtime cocktail is:

25 mg Clozapine
1200 mg Gabapentin
10 mg Melatonin

Knock on wood. And if that fails, I will try 5 mg of Zyprexa instead of 7.5

[AspiringAuthor]

Clozapine now keeps me depressed even on just 25 mg and even with the addition of Wellbutrin. I want to try the Zydis form of Zyprexa, hoping for less weight gain.

[AspiringAuthor]

So Zydis did not make a difference, Wellbutrin did not make a difference, but a trial of Topamax at a lower does is - afraid to jinx it - successful at controlling the appetite. I do not think I will be able to lose weight on it, but hope it will halt further weight gain.

Topamax has its downside even at this low dose - I forgot my train of thought today.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Have you tried Metformin? It's helped me lose my clozapine weight plus another 15-20 lbs with no side effects at all.

[AspiringAuthor]

In the past it did not help, but I am considering retrying it - thanks for the reminder!

[BeyondtheRainbow]

No more pre-diabetes for me thanks in part to metformin.

[AspiringAuthor]

Originally Posted by BeyondtheRainbow

No more pre-diabetes for me thanks in part to metformin.

That is a great result, BtR!!

[~Christina]

Old thread brought back to life

[AspiringAuthor]

So confusing. When I was put on Cloazapine at the hospital, the hospital psychiatrist added Metformin and I see on PubMed that Metformin is added both for Clozapine and Olanzapine, but my PCP does not recommend adding Metformin at this time. My glucose is 99 - a bit more and it would be prediabetic. Maybe her thinking is wait until then?

[pirilin]

HYDROXYCUT HARDCORE.

I went to the pharmacy looking for an Adderall substitute, since mine is gone.
The pharmacist recomended that thing.

Energy flows like a river. No hunger. No prescription. Twenty bucks.
You take one the first day, according to him.
Then you can take up to three a day, is you dare.

Good luck.

Cheers.+