Weight Control

Certain medications that we commonly use in Psychiatry can cause weight gain. These include Depakote, Zyprexa, Lithium, Paxil, Effexor and Remeron. They do so by increasing your appetite.

The best way to deal with this problem is to prevent it, so what can you do? My recommendation is that you weigh yourself weekly when starting one of these medications. If your weight is starting to increase you can either decrease your intake or increase your exercise. Try to pick a strategy that you can stick with. For instance, try eliminating high calorie foods such as sweets or fast food that have little nutritional value. See if you can add a walk every day, even a few ten minute walks a day will make a difference.

If your weight seems to be continuing to climb inspite of this, let me know. I may be able to make changes in your medication that will help.

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