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Suggest Medications For Depression And Weight Gain

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Posted on Tue, 17 Mar 2015
Question: I take abilify for depression and have gained so much weight. I have tried resperidol which was not better.
Is there an antipsychotic that does not cause weight gain and hunger? I cannot tolerate seroquel.
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Answered by Dr. Manisha Gopal (18 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
try ziprasidone & give correct diagnosis

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Your query includes two diagnosis- depression ( as you mentioned it) and psychosis (as you mentioned taking antipsychotics )..i need to know your correct diagnosis in order to help you out.

Abilify is not recommended for depression as the first line managment...and contrary to what you obserevd -it is good for reducing weight (evidence in research-- I think you took other drugs along with abilify and gained weight coz of them) .

However, you asked for an antipsychotic to loose weight. You can try ziprasidone. It is taken in day time and dosage start from 20mg.
Discuss this with your treating team and see if this suits you.

If there are issues with ziprasidone also: then I would recommend first generation antipsychotics , like flupentixol. They donot cause any weight gain , acts at low dose...but are good for post menopausal females.

There are many ways in which you can reduce weight even while eating food..
so, dont worry, its not a big problem and can be managed.

Good luck and have a speedy recovery!
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Manisha Gopal

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 947 Questions

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Suggest Medications For Depression And Weight Gain

Brief Answer: try ziprasidone & give correct diagnosis Detailed Answer: Hello, Your query includes two diagnosis- depression ( as you mentioned it) and psychosis (as you mentioned taking antipsychotics )..i need to know your correct diagnosis in order to help you out. Abilify is not recommended for depression as the first line managment...and contrary to what you obserevd -it is good for reducing weight (evidence in research-- I think you took other drugs along with abilify and gained weight coz of them) . However, you asked for an antipsychotic to loose weight. You can try ziprasidone. It is taken in day time and dosage start from 20mg. Discuss this with your treating team and see if this suits you. If there are issues with ziprasidone also: then I would recommend first generation antipsychotics , like flupentixol. They donot cause any weight gain , acts at low dose...but are good for post menopausal females. There are many ways in which you can reduce weight even while eating food.. so, dont worry, its not a big problem and can be managed. Good luck and have a speedy recovery! Dr. Manisha Gopal MD Neuropsychiatry