“Do antipsychotic medicines cause weight gain?”
My daughter is on medication for her OCD behavior. Since the time the medication has started, which was about 3 months back, she has gained almost 13 lbs of weight. Is it a common side effect of the medicines?
13 Answers
It certainly could be the case and is not an uncommon side effect of some medications. I suggest contacting the prescribing physician and see if an alternate medication might have success in treating your daughter's OCD without the weight gain as a side effect.
It's unusual to be prescribed an "anti-psychotic" medication for OCD. Though weight gain is a very common side-effect of anti-psychotic meds, there are other meds who can achieve the same result with less weight gain--unfortunately, she will have to go through a period of trial and error with other meds, to see which one will work for her, with minimal side-effects. Please consult with the prescribing physician, who should be a psychiatrist, and report the weight gain. If her symptom is simply OCD, she can try other meds.
Often times it is a contributing factor. Needs to be regulated and monitored. Once some stabilization occurs, therapy should be part of the process. Individuals need to identify and understand the contributing factors so the process of modifying thoughts and behaviors can contribute to an individuals well-being.
You haven’t said what medication she is taking, but generally speaking, yes... medication can contribute to weight gain. She ought to talk with her prescribing physician to see if this is possible and if so, is there a different medication she could try.
Taking some medications often results in weight gain. You should meet with her doctor and discuss what alternative medications she could try that decrease the likelihood of weight gain. You can also seek out a second opinion by meeting with another doctor.
Geraldine Fee
Psychologist
Check with both your medical doctor and your pharmacist. They will both be aware of the side effects of the medication.
Geraldine Fee, Ph.D.
Geraldine Fee, Ph.D.
It can be of some medications. Please speak to the prescriber.
Many antipsychotic medications have the side effect of weight gain. If you continues to gain weight after 4 months on the medication, you may want to speak with the provider to discuss alternate options.
Antipsychotics can contribute to weight gain. Such medications can also have long-term health consequences. I would highly encourage to talk with your daughter's provider about why it is being used. Psychotherapy with a cognitive approach should be used.
Yes it can be. I would discuss this with your treating physician.
Not sure which medication she is taking but every drug has both behaviorall/emotional and psychological side effects. Look up (google) the med and note the side effects - some do cause weight gain.
Deborah R. Wagner
Psychologist
Yes. You should speak with her doctor about this.
Yes, sometimes the medication will help on gaining weight. Because of this I either recommend changing meditation or having a simple diet of certain foods. I am so sorry but she is young and should eventually even out her weight.
