Why does Zyprexa causes weight gain? Is it because it makes you more hungry (so you eat more) or is it because of it slows down your metabolism?
I’d like to know what I could do. Since some months, I am forcing myself to eat the less possible (less than 1600 kcalories a day) but that doesn’t help. Exercise doesn’t help too. I took 10 lbs since I started Zyprexa in autumn 2017. Before that, I was on Saphris and it didn’t cause any weight gain at all even if I wasn’t on the diet.
Thanks!
i think it slows the metabolism. i had to cut calories to lose weight. im now eating 2meals 1000-1300 calories a day and i maintain weight. the days i eat 3 meals i put the weight back on.
for me it was a drastic change as i always had difficulty gaining weight on less than 2500 calories.
its also true that im not as active, i used to walk 10 miles a day when i lived in the old neighborhood…
Both I think. Slows metabolism and people don’t get as much dopamine like they’re used to so naturally a persons going to eat more
Hi @anubis! Welcome back!
It makes you more hungry and it also slows down your metabolism- both.
To combat Zyprexa induced weight gain, its best to follow a low carb diet and increase physical activity.
Easier said than done.
Antipsychotics are the Blair witch project of metabolism. Who would’ve thought a pill that weighs zero newtons could attract large amounts of gravity preserving fat with side effects to boot like shaky leg akathisia and it’s counterpart the dancing with the stars charleston. I loathe them but in a consensual love hate relationship kind of way.
Hey @anubis Monsieur Quebec’er! Welcome back computer programmer.
Metabolism syndrome and craving foods and never feeling full. It’s the trifecta. All from the meds. I gained 100 pounds in 4 months on Zyprexa.
I put on 30lbs in the first 6 weeks of this drug and was taken off it. It made me so hunger, like I was the human carb vaccum. It’s the worst one for weight gain and lovely side effects like type 2 diabetes.
I am currently at the end of a trip to Prague. During this trip, I have walked more than 14 km a day in the heat (35°C). Also during this trip I tried to eat the less possible. I have not lost a single pounds. 
In the contrary, I think I may have gain more weight…
Actually I am thinking about buying a treadmill but now I am not sure that it would make me loose weight. 
What is your experience with exercise while on antipsychotic?
Before the medication (2014), I have always been slim even if I eat a lot. 
Calorie counting does help a lot for me but I think the ultimate way to fix it is to go gluten- lactose- sugar and allergen free… Massive amounts of non starchy veggies almost no sugary fruits… No dairy other than eggs… no carbs except rice and other non allergen grains… proteins are chicken, salmon and other fish, beef … not too much fried though
My bro is on Zyprexa and did this and his weight and his blood work are perfect… I still love bad foods too much to do this strictly for myself but I have been slowly adapting myself to it more often and feel better. I have a few allergies myself and feel much better when I eat less inflammation causing foods.
Here are my theories:
●Antipsychotics cause a spike in the pregnancy hormone prolactin. Pregnant women often gain fat and weight.
●It slows down the metabolism.
●It affects gut bacteria.
●It makes someone have more of an appetite, so they maybe eat a little bit more than usual.
●It affects the body temperature regulations and perhaps someone doesn’t sweat as much on it.
●It can increase cholestrol and cholestrol can cause liver problems which affects digestion and makes it harder to loose weight.
●The sedative effect makes someone move slower and perhaps be less active.
●It can cause constipation and constipation is associated with other factors that cause weight gain such as thyroid problems.
I heard is slows it down, and it tends to make you eat an excess of calories, remember 3500 is one pound of fat.