![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Jealousy on August 9, 2001, at 10:39:49
Hello everyone!
I was just put on Risperdal a little while ago. I was looking on the internet, and it seems that Risperdal usually makes people gain weight. I was wondering, how does that work? Does it increase your appetite, or do you just gain weight even though you are not eating more? Weight is of great concern for me, unfortunately:(
Thank you very much!Jealousy
c_delioncourt@hotmail.com
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
Posted by Jealousy on August 10, 2001, at 18:47:13
In reply to Re: Risperdal » Jealousy, posted by Cam W. on August 10, 2001, at 8:19:41
Ick!
To be honest, I am in treatment for an eating disorder at the moment, so that's really why weight is so important to me:( They tell me that I'm underweight... I've already gained quite a bit of weight over the past couple of months, and I'm not too keen on gaining any more right at this moment. If it causes weight by upping your appetite, that won't be a problem for me. I've heard that it slows people's metabolisms though:( I *really* don't want to mess with my metabolism! Gggrrrr!!! I wish that my doctor had told me about this side effect before he prescribed it!
Jealousy
> 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
>
>
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.