Lithium-related weight gain appears to level off after the first two years, although you might also gain weight for other reasons unrelated to the medication.Feb 19, 2021
According to NAMI, people who take lithium should avoid low-sodium diets and dehydration, because they can increase the risk of lithium toxicity. Talk with your doctor about how to safely manage the salt in your diet to stay within a healthy range.Jan 18, 2021
How can I avoid gaining weight on mood stabilizers?
As simple as it may sound, the best chance of avoiding, or lessening further, undesirable weight gain when taking a prescribed antidepressant or antipsychotic medication, is to simultaneously participate in a formal weight management program.Dec 3, 2021
Can lithium make you hungry?
The mood-stabilizing drug lithium remains an effective mainstay of treatment for bipolar disorder—but unfortunately, it can cause weight gain. Although the possibility of gaining weight while taking lithium is well known, this side effect does not affect everyone who takes the medication.Feb 19, 2021
Does bipolar medication make you hungry?
Doctors use different medicines to treat bipolar disorder. The drugs help control your symptoms, but they sometimes lead to extra pounds. They can lower your metabolism. If you didn't have much of an appetite before, you may feel hungrier and want to eat more.Aug 2, 2020
How do I not gain weight on lithium?
Minimize sugary or sweetened beverages while taking lithium. Weight gain is a known unwanted side effect associated with lithium use. Limiting caloric intake from beverages can help avoid or keep weight gain to a minimum. Lithium can make you very thirsty.Jun 16, 2021
Is it possible to lose weight on bipolar meds?
Most bipolar drugs cause weight gain rather than weight loss. For example, several of them increase your blood sugar level, which can lead to weight gain. Others affect your energy level. During manic episodes, you typically may not sleep much and may burn off lots of energy.
What bipolar medication has the least amount of side effects?
Lurasidone (Latuda) and Lamotrigine (Lamictal) But lamotrigine is the better tolerated option, with few of the adverse effects that matter most to patients: weight gain, fatigue, sexual dysfunction, and long-term medical risks.May 13, 2020
What psych meds make you lose weight?
The newest result for psychiatry is Contrave, approved last month by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for weight loss. This medication is a combination of naltrexone and bupropion extended release. Contrave is the third medication approved by the FDA for weight loss.Oct 16, 2014
What are the 3 main symptoms of lithium toxicity?
Symptoms of lithium toxicity include severe nausea and vomiting, severe hand tremors, confusion, and vision changes. If you experience these, you should seek immediate medical attention to check your lithium levels.Jun 9, 2021
What is the most concerning side effect of lithium?
Signs of lithium toxicity include severe nausea and vomiting, severe hand tremors, confusion, vision changes, and unsteadiness while standing or walking. These symptoms need to be addressed immediately with a medical doctor to ensure your lithium level is not dangerously high.
How does lithium make you feel?
Lithium may take several weeks or months to work. How will it make me feel? If the amount of lithium in your blood is right, you probably will not have any problems taking this medicine. However, some people find it slows down their thinking or makes them feel a bit "numb".Aug 18, 2020