[Anamitra]

Hi. I take zyprexa and have gained 60lbs. in 7 years. I am thinking of switching to another medicine that doesn't cause weight gain, only I don't know which one to switch to. I have schizophrenia and the zyprexa works great, only now I'm fat

[DePressMe]

Anamitra, I take abilify for another reason, but it is used to treat Schizophrenia. I have not had weight gain. Matter of fact, I don't think abilify is known for weight gain. I have not had problems with any side effects--for me it has been a pretty clean drug.

Maybe try to google abilify and see what you think.

[splitimage]

I take risperidone, not for schiz. so at a lower dose and haven't had any weight gain.

--splitimage

I took Zyprexa as well a few years ago. Bad idea! I had a similar experience. Within the first month after discontinuing the drug I lost 12 pounds without even trying. Unfortunately by the time I realized what was causing the weight gain, I had gained around 40 pounds.

I switched to Seroquel which I am taking now, 200mg daily. I have not experienced any weight gain with this drug. I am not taking it for schizophrenia but it is approved for this purpose.

[schizoidwoman]

I took Zyprexa for schizoaffective disorder and gained 35 pounds in 3 years. I went off and started Abilify and the weight came right back off. I can't say enough good things about Abilify! It's a little expensive, but it's SO worth it for me.

[sunnyday]

Abilify does cause weight gain , by my research on the atypicals (antipsychotics)....they ALL have a side effect of weight gain and elevated blood sugar. My Psychiatrist told me I WOULDN'T gain weight while taking Abilify. I gained 40# in one year on Abilify!
Doctors will lie about side effects of meds, just to get you to try another med. You must do your own research.
Best wishes on your search!

[tracy33]

I have not gained weight on Abilify. I gained a ton when I took Zyprexa years ago. My pdoc just told me last week that Abilify can also cause me to lose weight and /or appetite. Or that it's weight nuetral, something like that. We were discussing my meds and she mentioned how three of them that I take can actually cause some weight loss, and they were Prozac, Topamax and Abilify. I also take Lamictal. I think that Abilify is a good drug.

[evildouble102]

Hi there. I was originally diagnosed as a paranoid Schizophrenic... diagnoses have multiplied and changed. Major one being schizoaffective disorder bipolar type. Anyway, I've taken I think all of the newer antipsychotics: risperdal, zyprexa, geodon, abilify, navane, I'm sure there's more but u understand. The one right now that's working for me is Trilafon. I totally relate to the gaining weight issue. I'm on 10 different drugs for various reasons; the bulk of which are psychiatric. But, I have actually lost some weight between 10-20 lbs in the past 3 months; which is a good thing bc now I can start to fit back into my clothes more. But, some of my meds have changed and my lifestyle has changed where I dont eat quite as much as I used to all the time; and I try to eat some fruit here and there. Anyway Good luck to you. You may PM me if u wish anytime

Different people respond to the same drug rather differently. Some people might not experience weight gain on Zyprexa, whereas other people might experience weight gain on Zyprexa. Same goes for all the other medications out there...

If Zyprexa is working well for your schizophrenic symptoms and the only negative side-effect is weight gain then you are (in a way) very lucky indeed. A lot of people find that they go on a medication hunt and they never really find something that works to control their symptoms.

Are there other things you could do to lose some weight? Exercise? Eat a healthier diet? I'm not sure that medication makes you gain weight so much as makes you crave certain foods and / or makes you feel lethargic so that you eat more unhealthy foods and / or don't move around as much.

[withit]

Adherence to this food plan (diet) has helped me: www.dadamo.com click on 'forums'

[Divaluscious]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
evildouble102 said:
But, I have actually lost some weight between 10-20 lbs in the past 3 months; which is a good thing bc now I can start to fit back into my clothes more. But, some of my meds have changed and my lifestyle has changed where I dont eat quite as much as I used to all the time; and I try to eat some fruit here and there.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

That's great

But fruit 'here and there'?

5 serves of fruit and veg per day! No carbs after 4pm! Watch the sugar and carb content of so called 'diet' products ... etc ...

EXERCISE ...

I agree with alex_k's points too.