Posted by Cam W. on August 10, 2001, at 8:19:41
In reply to Risperdal, posted by Jealousy on August 9, 2001, at 10:39:49
Jealousy - The weight gain associated with Risperdal™ (risperidone) is nowhere near that caused by Zyprexa™ (olanzpine) or Clozaril™ (clozapine). The weight gain with Risperdal, over about an 8 month period is about 5 to 10 pounds, but this is only a ballpark figure. I am almost never able to guess who will and who won't gain weight.
They really aren't positive what causes weight gain with the atypical antipsychotics (including Risperdal), but there seems to be some trends. You seem to gain more weight if you are underweight rather than if you are overweight. Also, it seems the faster and better you respond to the drug, the more weight you seem to gain.
From my experiences, it seems that it is a lot easier to avoid the weight gain, than losing the weight once it has been gained. This means that you have to watch your diet closely. Keeping a log of what you eat seems to help, as does regular exercise.These drugs also seem to cause increased appetite, especially for carbohydrates. Therefore, you must get rid of the junk food (chips and sugared pop) and stock up on carrots and salads.
The weight gain seems to level off between 8 to 12 months, in most people. Leptin levels in your blood seem to be correlated with weight gain, as well.
Another theory on weight gain with atypicals is that many people with psychiatric disorders do not feel hungry, and when they start to respond to the medication, they feel like eating again. Also, weight gain seems to be tied to the blocking of serotonin-2C receptors. Weight gain does not seem to be tied to the dosage of the drug.Everyone is different, so there is no way to absolutely be sure that you will or won't gain weight with Risperdal. If you are determined not to gain weight, you have a better chance of not putting it on.
I hope that this is of some help. - Cam
poster:Cam W.
thread:74321
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010809/msgs/74454.html