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Bipolar Forums › Medicine & Treatments › Seroquel + lithium = weight gain?
07/14/2012 07:55 AM
Seroquel + lithium = weight gain?
MandyPanda20
MandyPanda20  
Posts: 37
Member
Hey, I am just looking for different peoples experiences on taking lithium and seroquel and how much weight was gained. I accidentally posted this on the wrong forum so i decided to post on the med board. I have gained 15 lbs and I can not seem to get it to go away!!! I'm a recovering bulimic so this is so hard for me to handle. If I did begin bulimia again it would harm my health even more because of the risk of dehydration due to lithium. I'm also on Remeron for my antidepressant and I think it has weight gain too. Anyways I'm anxious for some feedback!
-Heal the past, live the present, dream the future.
Remeron 45mg
Seroquel 400g
Lithium 1200mg
Klonopin 1mg as needed for anxiety
Mixed Bipolar
Reply

07/14/2012 07:58 AM  Top
Raii
Posts: 14
New Member
I gained some weight too but i think if you make sure u exercise everyday it helps

07/14/2012 08:05 AM  Top
lovespeonies
lovespeonies  
Posts: 4055
VIP Member
I gained thirty pounds on lithium and seroquel. Walking daily and a medication switch worked for me. I take geodon and lamictal now in replacement of them two. It took a while before we got to this combo though trying other medications first. Geodon and lamictal are weight neutral atleast in my case. Talk to your doctor about your concerns with weight gain and your bulimia. You are right that you would dehydrate on lithium if you purged. Good luck.

07/14/2012 09:18 AM  Top
Magdelana406
Magdelana406  
Posts: 24
Member
I gained sooo much weight on Seroquel, about 20 lbs. I am on lithium now and dieting and exercising but they weight is barely coming off. Its been about six weeks and Ive lost about 4 lbs. Its so frustrating!!! I am on Phentaramine for weight loss and tried Topamax but the side effects of the topamax are insane, just bad. I haven't gained any weight on the lithium, but weight isn't coming off either. Its most certainly the seroquel. I love geodon, and there is no weight gain with it. Ask doc for pills that don't make you gain weight, that seroquel is bad news. Smile
"Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring." -Marilyn Monroe

Bipolar 1, PTSD, anxiety, panic attacks, Fibromyalgia, Hypersomnia

Geodon 80mg
Lithium 600 mg
Cymbalta 60mg
Ambien 10mg
phentermine 15mg
Xanax 7.5 mg

07/14/2012 10:15 AM  Top
Cthebird
Cthebird  
Posts: 2703
Senior Member
I used to be on Seroquel regular and I don't remember how much I gained (I believe I did gain). Now I'm on Seroquel XR and I've lost 8 lbs in about 4 weeks. I have a loss of appetite.

I've been on Lithium Carbonate ER for about 3.5 years and never really gained because of it. In fact, I went on a low carb diet on much of the same mix I'm on now (including Lithium) and lost 30 lbs. I consider Lithium Carbonate ER to be weight neutral.

Bipolar 1, Simple Partial Seizures, and migraines

Psychiatric meds:

Lithium ER (900 mg)*Tegretol XR (1400 mg)*Lamictal (100 mg)*Geodon (160 mg)*Navane (5 mg)*Seroquel XR (100 mg)*Klonopin (.5 mg)

Ativan 1 mg "as needed" (I rarely take it.)*Seroquel regular 50 mg "as needed" (Only if I'm getting elevated.)

Other meds:

Propranolol (40 mg)*Levothyroxine (150 mcg)

My mix is side effect friendly for me.

07/14/2012 02:39 PM  Top
bettyboop29
bettyboop29  
Posts: 111
Member
I've been on both seroquel its a great med for mood swings and for sleep but it will make u gain weight ....lithium for me that medication was a pain in my butt always having to check my levels and on top of that weight gain...but over the past 6 yrs I hv gained about 50lbs on different meds
Ericka xxxooo
Borderline personality disorder
Geodon
Xanax
Topamax
Temanzepan
Flexril

Previous discussions I participated in:
Lamictal
Diagnosis
Trying to find a safe place

07/17/2012 05:14 AM  Top
MandyPanda20
MandyPanda20  
Posts: 37
Member
Thank you guys for all of your insights on how different medications allow you to gain or lose weight. I'm not over weight or unhealthy but I do believe I will talk to my psych about my concerns. Never thought medication alone could make you gain weight! I was always like oh this won't happen to me haha. Thanks everyone Smile
-Heal the past, live the present, dream the future.
Remeron 45mg
Seroquel 400g
Lithium 1200mg
Klonopin 1mg as needed for anxiety
Mixed Bipolar

07/25/2012 10:10 AM  Top
bpdiaries
Posts: 284
Member
[Edited by sarahtroy for treatment, or professional medical advice, per MDJ policy.]

Now the Lithium can make you gain weight. I've been on it two years (currently tapering off) and I've went from 190lbs to 204lbs while fluctuating up and down. Keeping an eye on your diet and incorporating exercise should at least stop any weight gain you're experiencing.

For me, Lithium makes me crave carbs and other sweets. Not sure why but it does. Also it will make you retain water so be sure to drink plenty so your kidneys can flush properly.

Post edited by: sarahtroy, at: 07/25/2012 11:09 AM

DX: BP2 Rapid Cycling, Anxiety w/OCD
RX: Clonazepam 1mg PRN, Tegretol 200mg, Saphris 15mg, Ambien 10mg PRN

08/04/2012 07:48 PM  Top
santos63
santos63  
Posts: 2524
Senior Member
yep.
Live in Perfect Love!
~Ana~
I worked as a RN, since 1993, I do not practice at present and my opinions are exactly that - opinions. Do not take any advice that I may offer as medical treatment. I will always defer treatments, etc to your MD, Pdoc, and/or pharmacist. What I share with you are my personal experiences, and basic knowledge that I learned as a nurse.
I have Diabetes, Bipolar Disorder with psychotic features and mixed, Fibromyalgia, Arthritis, and Chronic Low Back Pain with bulging discs in back and neck, Asthma, Hypothyroidism, Arthritis in lumbar and sacral areas, lumbar disc displacement, Degeneration of lumbar intervertebral discs, Lumbosacral radiculitis, DJD

08/09/2012 12:00 AM  Top
cougarprime
cougarprime  
Posts: 281
Member
I gained a ton of weight on seriquil never did lithium. I have been on Geodon and have gained little or no weight gain. It seems to work well for me hope it helps
Geodon 120mg Xanax 1.5mg, Lamictal 200mg, Welbutirin 200mg, Cogentin 1mg, Flexiril 30mg,provigal 100mg,prazosin 2mg, ranitidine, prilosec
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