The Stabilizers
Lithium
Weight Gain, Frequently
up to 10 pounds or more.
Tegretol
Weight Gain, Sometimes
up to 6 pounds or more
Depakene (Valproic Acid)
Weight Gain, Often
6 to 10 pounds or more
Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
Weight Gain, Sometimes
up to 6 pounds...less likely than with the older stabilizers
Gabapentin (Neurontin)
small weight gain but less likely than
with the old stabilizers
Topirimate (Topamax): little weight gain
reported
The Antidepressants
Monoamine Oxidase
Inhibitors. (MAOI's)
(Marplan, Nardil, Parnate)
Weight Gain, Often
6 to 10 pounds and more
Tricyclics and
Tetracyclics
(elavil. desipramine,
imipramine, ascendin
anafranil, surmontil,
ludiomil...many more)
Weight Gain, Frequently
more than 10 pounds and more
Specific Serotonin Uptake
Inhibitors(SSRI's)....
(prozac, serzone, paxil,
zoloft)
Weight Gain, once thought to be quite rare has been now proven to cause
weight gain in some people. New atypical antidepressants such as
wellbutrin are thought to not have weight gain as a side effect.
The Anti Psychotics
(Major Tranquilizers)
(haldol, largactil,
trilafon,
mellaril, many more
Weight Gain, Frequently
more than 10 pounds. The newer atypical antipsychotic medications,
including medications like zyprexa and risperdal also may promote weight
gain.
Sedatives and Hypnotics
Weight Gain, Sometimes
up to six pounds or more
Antianxiety
Medications: Weight Gain, Sometimes
up to six pounds
WHY DO THESE MEDICATIONS CAUSE
WEIGHT GAIN?
THREE THEORIES
WHY DO THESE MEDICATIONS CAUSE WEIGHT GAIN?
THREE THEORIES
Metabolism
Metabolism defined: "All physical and chemical changes
within the body involving energy and material transformations, and including
two fundamental processes, anabolism (building up process) and catabolism
(breaking down process)."
Simply put, metabolism is the process by which the body
uses food for energy. It goes on in your body day in and day out, week
in and week out, year after year. When it stops you die. But life depends
on more than just the simple fact of metabolic activity. It depends on
the rate of activity, its balance and its curve (high through youth, then
declining).
Energy (from food) is measured in Calories,
a familiar term to everyone. All foods have a Calorie equivalent which is
the potential energy that that food is capable of producing. As you sit here quietly reading this your
body is using energy to breathe, blink, swallow and keep your heart beating.
Despite the anguish it sometimes causes, even thinking requires energy.
In fact, in this quiet state your body requires approximately 80 calories
per hour of energy. Any activity increases the energy requirements of the
body. This is the metabolic rate - what your body does with the food in
terms of how active you are. If you "burn" or use up as many Calories as
you take in through physical activity your body is in balance - you will
neither lose or gain body weight. Many psychiatric drugs reduce the metabolic
rate by 15 percent. The following example will show the effect of this.
example: A 150 pound person normally eats
2000 calories per day and his body weight is in
balance - he maintains that weight....neither gaining or losing.
It is important to be aware of the effect of psychiatric
drugs on weight and to adjust your food intake/activity level at the outset.
Anyone can tell you it is easier to prevent weight gain and maintain your
weight than it is to gain it and have to lose it later.
If you're reading this and its already too
late for prevention...the excess pounds have piled on....don't despair!
The next section will deal with DIET - What You Can Do About It! Read on!
The Thyroid and Lithium
Approximately 10 percent of people taking lithium, especially
after long term use, will also need supplemental thyroid medication.
Hormones from the thyroid are among the keys to the body's metabolism.
They are the regulators which maintain a steady rate of metabolism and create
a sense of well being. Too little thyroid hormone slows down metabolism leading
to physical and mental sluggishness and weight gain.
In susceptible people lithium causes an under functioning thyroid
gland leading to hypothyroidism.
If you are taking lithium and gaining weight see your doctor
for a simple blood thyroid level. It may be causing a problem.
Mood Improvement
One theory is that medication simply makes one feel better, have a better
appetite and more. A depressed bipolar usually has little interest in
eating...it is all just too much effort to be bothered. His appetite is
poor and even favorite foods have no appeal.
